Truck Steering Component and Linkages Analysis Using Finite Element Method 2017-01-1478
In an automobile, main function of the steering system is to allow the driver to guide the vehicle on a desired course. Steering system consists of various components & linkages. Using these linkages, the torque from steering wheel is transferred to tyre which results in turning of the vehicle. Over the life of vehicle, these steering components are subjected to various loading conditions. As steering components are safety critical parts in the vehicle, therefore they should not fail while running because it will cause vehicle breakdown.
In commercial vehicle segment, vehicle breakdown means delay in freight delivery which results in huge loss to costumer. Therefore, while designing steering components one should consider all the possible loadings condition those are possible. But, it can’t be done through theoretical calculation. Therefore, physical tests have to be carried out to validate design of steering system, which is very costly & time-consuming process.
Hence, in our organization we are using finite element method to validate design of different components virtually. In this process strength of steering component & linkages is evaluated for various loading conditions as extracted from actual road load data from physical testing. In addition, steering components are tested for wheel jamming & wheel lock condition. Further there are some steering linkages which comes under compressive loading for these we have carried out buckling analysis & correlated it with physical test. For all the analysis we have used MSC Nastran software tool.
Further, fatigue analysis has been performed to evaluate steering components fatigue life under standard operating load condition using FEMFAT software tools. In this way, we have covered all possible loading condition which can result in failure of steering component except accidental cases. Using finite element technique, the time taken in designing all the steering component has reduced. Hence by using virtual method, time & cost involved in physical test has reduced.
