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A body joint is one of the most major factors affecting the overall body stiffness in a body system. Thus, in order to optimize the body system, the joint must be also optimized. In order to optimize a body joint, it is necessary to first identify the efficiency of the joint itself. Then, the joint stiffness targets for each joint must be set by analyzing the interaction between joint stiffness and overall body stiffness and the function of the joint in terms of vehicle performance. Finally, an optimal joint structure should be designed with an optimal design methodology. In this study, an optimal methodology for the joint stiffness and design is introduced. Based on this research, an optimized joint design for each joint was applied to the new SUV model resulting in a lightweight body with a required body stiffness.

This paper aims to establish a systematic process of developing a brand driving sound. Firstly, principal factors of a brand sound identity are extracted from factor analysis of many sample cars. As a result, brand sound positioning map is drawn using jury test data. Also, the multiple regression analysis of subjective and objective test results is carried. As a result, the principal factors are expressed by objective test data and brand sound positioning map can be easily updated from the measurement data. In addition, what should be improved for designing a target sound is reviewed. Secondly, various technologies of target sound design are discussed to involve the brand identity and vehicle’s character in driving sound. Also, an efficient tool to implement the target sound with an active sound design (ASD) system in a vehicle is introduced. This tool enables to efficiently design, tune and simulate a target sound for ASD system in a laboratory.

This paper discusses approaches to emotionally improve the driving sound based on Active Sound Design (ASD). In the first step, target sound design methods are suggested in order to represent the vehicle’s concept and brand image via a driving sound. In this method, formant filter and musical chords are applied to the target sound synthesis. In the second step, a technique to make a target sound realistic in ASD system is discussed, which enables to stimulate the customers' emotion. In this technique, the process to simulate a musical instrument sound for a vivid driving sound and synthesize the sound with FIR filter is studied. Finally, the improved driving sound is demonstrated in ASD system.

Owing to the enhanced performance of engines these days, more heat should be dissipated in the braking system. Failure of doing this properly causes temperature rise in the brake disc which result in the brake fade, disc distortion, brake judder, etc. A cooling-air-duct was proposed as a solution to prevent these from happening. In this paper, we present our work based on experiments optimized parameters such as direction, location, shapes and the size of the duct for the cooling-air-duct installation in real cars. We installed the duct extended from a front bumper to a rear wheel guard. Experimental parameters were compared with theoretical analysis using the impinging jet analysis. The heat transfer coefficients were determined by using the finite elements method (FEM). We found that our experimental data is supportive of theoretical analysis. We believe that our results should serve an useful guideline for designing the cooling-air-duct for braking system.

In the early stage of vehicle development process, it is customary to establish a set of goals for each kinematic and compliance (K&C) characteristic and try to find out design variables such as the location of hard points and bushing stiffness which can achieve these goals. However, since it is very difficult to find out adequate set of design variables which satisfy all the goals, many engineers should rely on their own experiences and intuitions, or repeat trial and error to design a new suspension and improve old one. In this research, we develop a suspension design process by which suspension K&C characteristic targets can be achieved systemically and automatically. For this purpose, design optimization schemes such as design of experiments (DoE) and gradient-based local optimization algorithm are adopted.

Multi-core systems are adopted quickly in the automotive domain, Proof of concepts have been implemented for power train, body and chassis, involving hard real-time constraints. However, depending on the degree of integration, it can be costly, especially in those cases where existing single-core software has to be migrated over. Furthermore, there seems to be a high level of uncertainty, whether a found solution, with regards to partitioning, mapping and orchestration of software is close to an optimum solution. Some integrated solutions demonstrate considerably less performance, for instance due to communication overhead compared to execution on single-core systems. This paper discusses a methodology, as to how to effectively and efficiently investigate the software architecture design space for multi-core software development.

An innovative design process is proposed to be applicable in the early conceptual design phase as a means of front loading design. The objective of the study is to minimize trial and errors in the detailed design phase and to shorten the overall design period. The process includes design optimization which is based on efficient modeling techniques. An integrated CAD/CAE modeling method and a simplified quality FE model are key factors in the course of effectuation. The conceptual modeling takes into account the adaptability of computer-generated models with the use of CAD/CAE integrated design environment. To achieve maximum efficiency in the repeated computations in optimization, an FE modeling approach is introduced in terms of simplicity and quality. The proposed FE modeling employs beam and spring elements to construct vehicle body models, which is targeted to produce an instant analysis result with a robust conceptual design at the incipient phase of development.

This paper outlines an improved methodology to perform calculations to verify the compliance of automotive door latch systems to minimum legal requirements as well as to perform additional due diligence calculations necessary to comprehend special cases such as roll over crashes and locally high inertial loadings. This methodology builds on the calculation method recommended by SAE J839 and provides a robust and clear approach for application of this method to cable release systems, which were not prevalent at the time J839 was originally drafted. This method is useful in and of itself but its utility is further increased by the application of the method to a Computer Aided Design (CAD) template (in this case for Catia V5), that allows some automation of the calculation process for a given latch type. This will result in a savings of time, fewer errors and allows for an iterative concurrent analysis during the design process.

Ground systems in automobiles become more important as more electric devices are installed and the amount of currents flowing increases. The performance of the devices depends on the ground voltage, which is generated between ground points by I-R voltage drops. Therefore, low ground voltages are required for the reduction of the unnecessary power dissipation as well as the reliable performance of the devices. In this paper, we propose an automotive ground system model to analyze ground structure and reveal the main cause of ground voltages. The equivalent resistor network model is presented to describe the relationship between ground points. Then, we validate the model by comparing the simulation results with the measurements in a real car. The presented analysis can provide guidance on designing a reliable ground system such as how to reduce the ground voltages for the proper operation of devices.

A determination of the vehicle states and tire forces is critical to the stability of vehicle dynamic behavior and to designing automotive control systems. Researchers have studied estimation methods for the vehicle state vectors and tire forces. However, the accuracy of the estimation methods is closely related to the employed model. In this paper, tire lag dynamics is introduced in the model. Also application of estimation methods in order to improve the model accuracy is presented. The model is developed by using the global searching algorithm, a Genetic Algorithm, so that the model can be used in the nonlinear range. The extended Kalman filter and sliding mode observer theory are applied to estimate the vehicle state vectors and tire forces. The obtained results are compared with measurements and the outputs from the ADAMS full vehicle model. [15]

Vehicle suspensions can be regarded as interconnection of rigid bodies with kinematic joints and compliance elements such as springs, bushings, and stabilizers. Design of a suspension system requires detailed specification of the interconnection point (or so called hard points) and characteristic values of compliance elements. During the design process, these design variables are determined to meet some prescribed performance targets expressed in terms of SDFs(Suspension Design Factors), such as toe, camber, compliance steer, etc. This paper elaborates on a systematic approach to achieve optimum design of suspension systems.

Structure-occupant related method, which uses some structural analysis results for inputs of occupant simulation, has being used widely even if it is difficult to describe real crash precisely. The method is not proper to simulate complex situation such as an occupant behavior restrained with air bag in out-of-position impact. A structure-occupant integrated method is needed to analyze these sophisticated problems in the early stage of design. Therefore, Hyundai Motor Co. tried to develop the method, and the process is described in this paper. The integrated vehicle model includes Hybrid III dummy, air bag, seat belt and interior detail models. The interior detail models are instrument panel, knee bolsters, steering wheel and column, and seats. The part models were compared with the part test results and they were merged into larger models only if they passed correlation test.

This report explains the basic theory of designing the accelerating durability test road and the role of each factors contributing to the test road surface profile. Also this road is designed by considering the charactors of vehicle suspension system and conditions of driving. In test road, the factors affecting to the vehicle structural durability are correlation among surface shape of road profile, frequency of vehicle suspension system,distribution of axle twist angle and vibration of road profile height. Road PSD magnitude and frequency delay is used to control these factors relation.