Papers by Keyword: Space Frame

Abstract: With ASF (Audi Space Frame) technology, Audi has completely reinvented the body construction using aluminum as a material and a concept adapted to light metal. ASF technology has undergone developments that efficiently exploit the knowledge accumulated from the efficient use of aluminum alloys, the optimization of casting and profiling processes, to the most appropriate techniques for joining components. The paper analyzes the main technical and technological developments adopted by Audi in designing and manufacturing the aluminum space frame for the car body.

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to design, analyze, and test the space frame for electric vehicle with comparison to the engine type. Therefore, in order to design the electric vehicle formula, the same requirements with some changes are considered. The space frame is designed to suit with the electric vehicle and then finite element analysis is used to determine the torsional stiffness of the frame which is verified by the torsional test. Initially, the required torsional stiffness for the electric car is 1350 Nm/deg and the mass is set to be not more than 40 kg. The numerical results and the experimental results for torsional stiffness are 960 Nm/deg and 1218 Nm/deg, respectively. Therefore, the torsional stiffness is about 25% under-predicted; anyway it can be used to predict the torsional stiffness of the frame. Due to some changes must be performed, therefore the modified frame is re-analyzed with the torsional stiffness of 1389 Nm/deg which is less than the revised required car’s torsional stiffness of 1404 Nm/deg. Anyway, the torsional stiffness of frame with battery’s case can meet the requirement. The mass of the modified frame is 50 kg which is larger than required mass due to selected sizes of steel tubes. In conclusion, the space frame can be designed and the mass can be improved further by reducing the sizes.

Abstract: The regular arrangement of the plant organs is botanically known as phyllotaxis. Among the types of phyllotaxis found in nature, spiral phyllotaxis is the most frequently found pattern. The unique arrangement of this pattern in plants has benefited most of the plant structure as it enables them to grow more efficiently and compatible for physical constraints such as moisture and amount of light falls. In this research, the unique spiral phyllotaxis pattern has been adopted as idea for member arrangement pattern for structural space frame system. Two type of spiral phyllotaxis pattern and one regular model are generated. Analysis using finite element software LUSAS has been carried out in order to determine the effect of member arrangement following spiral phyllotaxis on stresses and displacement in the space frames.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analysis the finite element model of joint methods for chassis space frames of vehicles. Common tee-joint often have poor control of dimensional accuracy. The analysis includes the common tee-joint and new joint method. Although the new joint method will increase in weight a little and easily adjust the accuracy of space frame, it will also improve the connection strength.

Abstract: Pushover anlysis of a three-story one-span space frame under oblique seismic action was conducted using ABAQUS software. The loading angle is 0°, 15°, 30° and 45° respectively. Failure mechanism of the space frame was analyzed, such as yield sequence of beam end and column end, and force-displacement curves. The results indicate that the structure loaded with angle of 0° failed when beam hinge appeared. With the increasing of load angle, the failure mechanism of frame changed from beam hinge failure to column hinge failure gradually.

Abstract: Light weight design is critical to a sports car. In the study, a prototype of the newly developed modern classical concept sports car was presented. The design process followed the common vehicle design procedure starting from blue print, clay model and then vehicle build. The structure was designed and analyzed using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools. A space frame design concept was proposed based on the topology optimization results. Carbon composite material was used for light weight structure design. Three-step design optimization process was proposed to use for the detailed composite vehicle structure design with the consideration of manufacturing constraints. The thickness, fiber orientation and stack sequence were obtained through the optimization process. Manufacturing constraints could be imposed to the optimization process in order to obtain a practical design that could be manufactured. A design with total structure weight of 296.7 kg was obtained. It was a much lighter design compared to the earlier metal structure design.

Abstract: The history of terrestrial transport systems on road and rail has always been influenced by material-related developments. These developments gave rise to various construction methods, taking into account the different requirements that transport systems had to fulfil and providing new approaches. The urgency of the CO2 problem will result in alternative power trains also establishing themselves on the market, in turn giving rise to new requirements and possibilities in the field of vehicle construction, over and above the established light weight design. Further development of materials is supported and supplemented by new material systems able to actively respond to the particular state of the system.

Abstract: This paper presents the focus of research and the structure of the Collaborative Research Centre SFB/TR10 „Integration of Forming, Cutting, and Joining for the Flexible Production of Lightweight Structures” funded in 2003 by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Driven by the demands of low volume production. The aim of the Research Centre is to investigate the scientific basis and methods to design integrated process chains for the flexible manufacture of space frame structures.