Design of Vehicle Compression Springs for Optimum Performance in their Service Condition

Abstract:

Helical compression spring plays a vital role in vehicle application as it improves ride index, sustains the vehicle against extreme degrees of vibration and stress induced on the suspension system as a result of uneven road. Depending on the extent of load acting on the suspension system, material selection, design considerations and manufacturing processes, longevity and performance of the spring may be sustained, otherwise the spring may fail prematurely under severe loading condition. In this study, compression spring was designed using high carbon steel, stainless steel and chrome vanadium steel and the designed spring models were simulated for maximum Von-mises stress, maximum resultant displacement and resultant strain. Curb weight of the vehicle was considered in the analysis which involves the weight of the car with all fluids and components but without the driver, passengers, and cargo. At the end of the simulation, the three materials remained within the limit of their elasticity without any significant sign of failure under the applied load of 3888N. However, the difference between Von-mises stress obtained for Chrome vanadium and its yield strength was the highest (653MPa) followed by stainless steel (235MPa) before high carbon steel (109MPa). This implies that at increasing loading conditions, high carbon steel will be the first material to fail during operation, whereas, stainless steel and chrome vanadium may exhibit sustained level of longevity before failure as a result of the high chromium content and other alloying elements that gives them a better quality but at relatively high cost compared to high carbon steel which can satisfactorily undergo its service condition at relatively low cost.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 33)
• Pages: 22-34
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JERA.33.22
• Online since: November 2017
• Authors: Aniekan E. Ikpe*, Ikechukwu Owunna
• Keywords: Coil Spring, Design, Failure, Material Strength, Vehicle Suspension System

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