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Through virtual dynamic simulations it is possible to gain quality, safety, reduce cost and development time. Eliminating prototypes components to avoid future problems with package and early degradation of automotive components. This article has the objective validate the simulation methodology linked with flexible tube and hoses that are under engine displacement action to increase the confidence level of the design. The methodology validation consists in compare scanned physical model and virtual simulation models. Using Simcenter 3D Flexible Pipe software as study base. As input parameters it was used geometrical, physical, and chemical data for the virtual model. Finally, the environment can apply the dynamic movement of the powertrain set in the validation of the package and the evaluated component.

Nowadays the automotive market is reducing product development time and launching more technological vehicles, always focusing on having even more safety with better customer experience which generates big competitiveness and requires more accurate and faster development, the virtual simulations make it possible to meet this new reality with a high confidence level. This work comprises the validation of a methodology to analyze the design confidence level for flexibles associated with suspension kinematics. To validate the methodology, the scanned physical model was compared with the virtual simulations using the Simcenter 3D Flexible Pipe software. As inputs data for simulation, it is used geometrical, physical, and chemical information. Through the suspension kinematics study was establish possible movement situations to obtain the flexibles deformations attending to all suspension positions.

Use of glycerin as a base for antifreeze is not a new idea. ASTM International published standards wherein the use of Glycerin within antifreeze and engine coolant products is seen as a feasible alternative. ASTM D7640 covers engine coolant grade glycerin (1, 2, 3 Propanetriol, Glycerol) with 99.5% purity and ASTM D7714 covers the requirements for Glycerin base engine coolants used in automobiles or other light duty service cooling systems. This paper aims to demonstrate the best composition of an Engine coolant Glycerin base designed to be diluted with water at 35%/65% vol/vol in comparison to a conventional Engine Coolant Ethylene Glycol (EG) base also diluted at 35%/65% vol/vol. Experiments were run to define the best amount of Glycerin could replace Ethylene Glycol in Engine Coolant Concentrate formula.

The high level of reliability of virtual analysis for suspension system development should not be thinking only for comfort and performance purpose, considering the `growing number of failures due to the touch between components in dynamic condition. The study establishes a simple and optimized methodology, able to predict more accurately the flexible brake hose path subject to the steering motion and associates with the independent suspension course, aiming the best route in order to achieve a low cost and robust design. In turn, the flexible brake hose non-linear model invalidates the multibody study to get the best route. However, with the aid of motion making use of NX9 [1] CAD [2] software was prepared dynamic movement that subjects front independent suspension system that establishes a Cartesian routine that maps 977 points, much higher than 9 points from previous studies, comprising a more accurate path performed by the hose.

In the current automotive industry, in an increasingly challenging environment due to strong competition, to develop a product that performs its functions objectively, with quality and mainly with the lowest possible cost, these are the keys to conquer competitive advantage. This paper is intended to explore cost reduction of an automotive system by using the techniques of the methodology EV / AV (Engineering Value / Analysis Value). The analysis are framed as exploratory, in the form of study, with ratings of the components and their functions, followed by the generation of ideas with the completion of an indication of a great potential for a product development with optimized cost.

Through computational dynamic simulations is possible to achieve high reliability index in the development of automotive components, thereby enabling the reduction of cost and time of a product development with considerable gain in quality. This work suggests the validation of a methodology for simulation where is possible to improve the confidence level for design flexible components, such Heater and Cooling hoses that are under dynamic engine action, in relation to the physical model. Known the difficulty in predicting non-linear mathematical relationship deformation under effect of forces and moments, was established a study based on experimental measurements where were used as input parameters to simulate the dynamic behavior of flexible components, in this case, coolant hoses.

This Paper presents the “Frequency Sweep Virtual Analysis” as a tool to help to define the best powertrain mount concept in order to identify the resonance mode frequency on Powertrain System. Applying this method, we can identify proposals to reduce loads in the Powertrain system due the resonance mode and consequently minimize possibility of exceeding material strength. The “Frequency Sweep Virtual Analysis” drives the powertrain mounts design to avoid running many Road Load Data Acquisitions (RLDA) in a trial-and-error process (Cost reduction and timing savings).

In order to illustrate the constant development of the automatic transmission controls area, this paper describes how the garage shift calibration works in vehicles with transverse front wheel drive powertrains. A garage shift (GS) is the turbine speed transient commanded by the shift lever movement from Park to Drive or Reverse, from Neutral to Drive or Reverse, from Drive to Reverse, from Reverse to Drive, or from Drive or Reverse to Neutral [1]. A usual metric to verify the garage shift comfort is the data acquisition of the fore-aft acceleration on the seat track, but also the shift time should be considered, as well as the clutch energy and the repeatability of the shift feeling for different temperatures and engine idle speed levels. This paper demonstrates the transmission calibration strategies to determine a sensitive and a non-sensitive garage shift and its interactions with the engine calibration.

Acoustics, in a broad sense, is an essential product attribute in the automotive industry, therefore, it is relevant to study and compare theoretical and numerical predictions to experimental acoustic measurements, key elements of many acoustic development processes. The numerical methods used in the industry for acoustic predictions are widely used for exhaust system optimization. However, the numerical and theoretical predictions very often differ from experimental results, due to modeling simplifications, temperature variations (which have high influence on speed of sound), manufacturing variations in prototype parts among others. This article aims to demonstrate the relevant steps for acoustics development applied in automotive exhaust systems and present a comparative study between experimental tests and computer simulations results for each process. The exhaust system chosen for this development was intended for a popular car 4-cylinder 1.0-liter engine.

It is known acoustic comfort is a key feature to meet customer expectations for many products. In the current automotive industry, vehicle interior quietness is seen as one of the most important product attributes regarding perceived quality. A quiet interior can be achieved through an appropriate balance of noise sources levels and acoustic materials. However, the choice of the most efficient acoustic content may be challenging under severe cost and mass restraints commonly found in emerging market vehicles. Therefore, it is fundamental to develop efficient materials which will provide high acoustic performance with lower weight and cost. In this paper the fine tuning of the headliner structure is presented as an efficient way to increase acoustic performance. Structures currently employed for this vehicle subsystem are described. Airflow resistance and sound absorption measurements are used to guide development and make precise manufacturing process changes.

Microphone array based techniques have a growing range of applications in the vehicle development process. This paper evaluates the use of Spherical Beamforming (SB) to investigate the transmission of wind-generated noise into the passenger cabin, as one of the alternative ways to perform in-vehicle troubleshooting and design optimization. On track measurements at dominant wind noise conditions are taken with the spherical microphone array positioned at the front passenger head location. Experimental diligence and careful processing necessary to enable concise conclusions are briefly described. The application of Spherical Harmonics Angularly Resolved Pressure (SHARP) and the Filter-And-Sum (FAS) algorithms is compared. Data analysis variables, run-to-run repeatability and system capability to identify design modifications are studied.

Vehicular manual transmissions systems often use a vent or breather to allow pressure control inside the main structure. This pressure variation comes along with differences caused by working temperature range. However along with air flow these vents may occasionally allow oil passage noticed by vehicle owner as a transmission leakage event. The more sophisticated the more expensive is the venting device which may contain membranes, labyrinths, baffles and other solutions to avoid leakage. The purpose of this paper is to present a simplified solution to avoid transmission fluid leakage by combining a regular sealing device (fiber concept gasket) and a baffle to avoid oil splash to reach the venting device. The proposed concept took into consideration a quick implementation aspect, low financial impact and less complexity to the overall current system modifying an existing component by adding secondary function instead of creating additional components.

Brazil, that presents one of the highest accidents indexes of the world, does not have any specific regulation related to the use of an external light during the day time which provides a better visibility of the vehicle in movement and according to studies gives more reaction time for the other road users. Many countries in Europe and North America shows good results since they adopted the lights on during the day with collision reduction of vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to pedestrian and vehicle to cyclists. The aim of this study is to show the benefits of the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and its relation to the reduction of the traffic accidents, as well as a brief analysis on the use of a dedicated system, which can be more efficient since it can be designed to provide a light distribution allowing a better visibility as possible.

Product Design is a process of creating new product by an organization or business entity for its customer. Being part of a stage in a product life cycle, it is very important that the highest level of effort is being put in the stage. The Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology consists of a collection of tools, needs-gathering, engineering, statistical methods, and best practices that find use in product development. DFSS has the objective of determining the needs of customers and the business, and driving those needs into the product solution so created. In this paper the DFSS methodology is employed to develop the optimal solution to enhance sound transmission loss in a vehicle front of dash pass-through. An integrated approach using acoustic holography and beamforming Noise Source Identification (NSI) techniques is presented as a manner to improve sound insulation during vehicle development.

This work conducted an optimization in sheet metal blank's sizes for cold pressing automotive parts, comparing dimensional characteristics of automotive hood outer panels deep drawn with commonly used blank sizes for this process. As a result, it was possible to suggest modifications to smaller blank sizes, accordingly to the improvement accomplished in this work. The experimental study was conducted from observations in part's superficial aspects after its deep drawing process, which was realized in a commonly used tooling for automotive industry, with a blank's width reduction for the suggested case. The results showed a cost reduction opportunity based in this optimization.

The control of noise and vibrations using conventional damping materials is typically associated to mass penalties in a vehicle. A lightweight alternative employs piezoceramic materials connected in series to a resistor and an inductor (R-L circuit) to perform as mechanical vibration absorber, called piezoelectric resonator. In this paper, piezoelectric resonators are designed to attenuate vibration in a vehicle panel. The choice of design parameters, such as correct placement for the piezoelectric patches and the optimal electrical circuit values, is assisted by Finite Element simulation (FE) and theoretical analysis. Measurements of Sound Transmission Loss (STL) and modal analyses are conducted to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed technique when compared to a conventional damping material.

Style changes and technological advances have led to reduced service life of current products as automobiles. These are among the goods that are constantly re-designed to meet our growing needs for improved products. However, these demands for new products and more modern has meant a great cost to our natural resources, such as excessive use of raw materials, water and energy during production, use and end of life cycle of these assets. The increasing scarcity of land available for the proper disposal of waste in landfills, in addition to the high cost of implementing these areas and the increasing distances to urban centers imply the need to reduce solid waste generation, including here the automotive. The growth of the automotive market has created a serious problem due to the disposal of urban waste volumes generated, the great diversity of materials involved and their toxicity.

Even though the rollover is not the most frequent type of accident, it is of the greatest significance with respect to injury and trauma caused to the vehicle occupants. The need to reduce death incidence and serious injuries has increased the importance of computational simulations and prototype testing. This study presents finite element model to simulate rollover events and to predict possible injuries caused in the head, neck, thorax and cervical spine. Numerical models of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) are simulated including anthropomorphic dummy to represent the driver. The injury risks and traumas are verified to the driver considering belted and unbelted dummies. The computational methodology developed proved to be efficient for the evaluation of the vehicle's roof structure in rollover events.

Test Protocols for pedestrian head protection in a car pedestrian accident have been discussed for several Technical Communities in order to identify ideal boundary test conditions to evaluate injury limits. With the purpose to harmonize with final Global Technical Regulation 9 for Pedestrian Protection published by ECE in January 2009, European New Car Assessment Program (ENCAP) has changed their Child and Adult headform weight and geometry boundary test conditions. However 5 Kph remains as difference between both protocols. This work presents a comparative head impact test analysis for both headform at ENCAP and GTR#9 boundary test conditions when performed at critical bonnet regions.

Noise generated during tire/road interaction has significant impact on the acoustic comfort of a vehicle. One of the most common approaches to attenuate road noise levels consists on the addition of mass treatments to the vehicle panels. However, the acoustic performance of sealing elements is also relevant and has an important contribution to the noise transmission into the vehicle interior. In this paper the correct balance between the mass added to treat vehicle panels and sealing content is investigated. The procedure to quantify the critical road noise transmission paths consists of recording interior noise levels as applied treatment is removed from potential weak areas, such as wheelhouses, floor, doors and body pillars. It is observed that the noise propagation through body pillars has a direct influence on road noise levels.