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The thermal fatigue resistance of engine exhaust system parts has conventionally been evaluated in thermal fatigue tests conducted with a restrained specimen. However, the test results have not always been consistent with data obtained in engine endurance tests. Two new evaluation methods have been developed to overcome this problem. One is a method of predicting thermal fatigue life on the basis of nonlinear elastic and plastic thermal analyses performed with a finite element model and the ABAQUS program. The other is a method of evaluating exhaust system parts using an exhaust system simulator. This paper describes the concepts underlying the two methods and their relative advantages.

Nissan has developed a hydraulic active suspension which uses an oil pump as its power source to produce hydraulic pressure that negates external forces acting on the vehicle. As a result, the suspension system is able to control vehicle movement freely and continuously. This control capability makes it possible to provide higher levels of ride comfort and vehicle dynamics than are obtainable with conventional suspension systems. The major features of the hydraulic system include: (1) active bouncing control using a skyhook damper, (2) a frequency-sensitive damping mechanism and (3) active control over roll, dive and squat.

Application of microalloyed steel to automobile parts is becoming increasingly common in Japan. However, fatigue properties of actual automotive forged parts with slight notches on their surface have not been fully clarified. In this work, the fatigue properties of microalloyed steel were studied using test specimens and also actual automotive parts. The results indicated that microalloyed steel with an optimal microstructure showed higher notch fatigue resistance than quenched-tempered steel. The improvement of material technology and the application of microalloyed steel have not only served to bring product costs down, but have paved the way for part weight reductions. Lightweight connecting rods for the newly developed Nissan engines have been produced, contributing to improved engine performance.

The life of automotive transmission gears today is often governed by pitting fatigue life. Being able to predict pitting fatigue life accurately is a crucial issue. Pitting fatigue life is substantially influenced by surface hardness and tooth surface geometry. For that reason, this study examined a new method of predicting pitting fatigue life that takes into account changes in these factors over time. This method makes it possible to predict the pitting fatigue life of automotive transmission gears under a wide range of evaluation conditions with markedly better accuracy than conventional methods used previously.

In a previous study, we developed and validated a new driving posture focused on biomechanical loads for physical fatigue reduction in static long-term sitting. In this study, the posture was evaluated in dynamic long-term driving condition by qualitative and quantitative measurements. The results showed physical fatigue of the new posture was halved in comparison with the one of the conventional posture in same car by subjective evaluations. Physiological indices had same tendency with subjective evaluations. From the results, we extracted seven physiological indices as good measures of physical fatigue while driving. Therefore, fatigue reduction of the new posture was qualitatively validated by physiological measurements.

Various prediction methods have been proposed for evaluating the fatigue life of welded joints by combining finite element analysis (FEA) with an experimental database. However, to obtain more universal and accurate fatigue life predictions, it is necessary to have criteria for making integrated evaluations of the fatigue strength of welded joints. This paper presents a study that focuses on the local cyclic plastic zone size (ω*) as the criterion of fatigue strength and investigates its validity. The definition of ω* was given by the relationship between the stress state at the notch tip and the elastic strain which was defined along the strain-life fatigue curve (ε - N diagram) of a base metal. As a result of using ω*, it was found that an integrated fatigue life prediction was possible to a certain extent for notch and arc-welded joint specimens.

A combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element (FE) analysis approach has been developed to simulate in the early stages of design the temperature distribution and estimate the thermal fatigue life of an engine exhaust manifold. To simulate the temperature distribution under actual operating conditions, we considered the external and internal flow fields. Digital mock-ups of the vehicle and engine were used to define the geometry of the engine compartment. External-air-flow simulation using in-house CFD code was used to predict the flow fields in the engine compartment and the heat transfer coefficients between the air and the exhaust manifold wall at various vehicle speeds. Unsteady-gas-flow calculation using the STAR-CD thermal- fluids analysis code was to predict the heat transfer coefficients between the exhaust gas and the manifold wall under various operating conditions.

High strength transmission gears have been developed for use in the final gear set of front-wheel-drive vehicles. The steel used as the gear material has a higher molybdenum content, allowing more austenite to be retained following carburizing than is possible with chromium steel. As a result, the steel can be subjected to higher intensity shot peening by using harder peening particles which are projected by an air-nozzle peening system. With this procedure, the fatigue strength of the gears can be increased 1.6 times over that of conventional gears.

This paper describes the results of an investigation into the controllability of a traction-drive type half toroidal CVT, built with traction-drive elements. One feature of this CVT is that it provides better power transmission efficiency at its rolling contact points than other traction-drive CVTs developed previously. Another feature is that ratio changes can be effected with only a slight power input. A third feature is that it does not require any special hydraulic system to engage the contact points of rolling elements because it is designed to generate engaging force spontaneously in proportion to the torque input. The first half of the paper presents an analysis of the shifting mechanism. The characteristics of ratio changes effected by slight displacements of the power rollers were analyzed theoretically. A simplified CVT model was then examined experimentally and found to provide good response characteristics.

Fatigue resulting from long-term driving can be classified into physical and mental fatigue. Physical fatigue seems to be mainly caused by driving posture. The purpose of this study is to develop a new driving posture for reduction of causal factors of physical fatigue, that is, biomechanical loads caused by the posture. In this paper, driving posture was optimized by subjective optimizations of seat contours and biomechanical analysis considering necessary conditions for driving operations and forward view. The new driving posture was tested by subjective evaluations and pelvic movement measurements. It was found that the new posture reduced physical fatigue dramatically.

The application of both high strength gear steels and shot peening technology has succeeded in strengthening automotive transmission gears. This technology, though, improves mainly the fatigue strength at the tooth root, but not the pitting property at the tooth face. Therefore, demand has moved to the development of new gear steels with good pitting resistance. In order to improve pitting resistance, the authors studied super carburizing which is characterized by carbide dispersion in the case, especially processed with a plasma carburizing furnace. Firstly, the influence of the carburizing temperature and carburizing period on the carbide morphology was investigated and the optimum carburizing conditions were determined. Secondly, the fatigue strength and pitting resistance was evaluated using carbide dispersed specimens.

The key-points in the diffusion bonding technique of green compacts during sintering, are the material compositions, which should be chosen according to their dimensional change during sintering, and the fitting clearance, which should be maintained in the range of press fit. Applying this technique, we have developed sinter-diffusion bonded idler sprockets for automotive engines by comfirming the bonding strength and torsional fatigue strength. And we also have developed a nondestructive analysis method for assuring the joint strength of idler sprockets in the mass production.

In this study, the functions required of automotive seats were analyzed from the standpoint of occupant posture. The results have been incorporated in the development of the New Generation Ergonomic Seat, which better fits the contours of the human body and prevents a stooped posture that places a greater load on the lumbar region, thereby reducing fatigue during long hours of driving. The new seat adopts the concept of “combined pelvic and lumbar support,” based on an analysis of the muscular and skeletal structure of the human body, sitting posture and body pressure distribution.

This Paper describes a computer-controlled power steering system that has been developed and applied to production vehicles. The system provides full power assist at parking speeds, and gradually decreases assistance with increasing vehicle speed to give a normal unassisted “road feel” at highway speeds. The system enables a driver to choose one assistance characteristic among three choices at the flick of a switch, according to the driver's preference and road conditions. A solenoid-operated bypass valve is used to reduce the hydraulic fluid supply to the steering gear, which results in a heavier steering effort. The most suitable valve characteristic curve which corresponds to the increased pressure in the system due to the applied torque is discussed in this study. It is shown that detection of the velocity of steering wheel rotation and extension of the range of characteristics possible are effective ways to ensure good control over the power assistance.

Fatigue tests on a body in white have been made with torsional load and compared with previous results for assessments, where it was difficult to agree with proving ground tests in evaluating the life. Modifying the above mentioned fault, a programmed fatigue test method on the body in white is presented in this paper. The newly developed programmed fatigue test method is the simultaneous loading of the bouncing and torsional modes to a body in while by an electrohydraulic fatigue testing machine in accordance with the programmed sprung mass accelerations. Applying this method, the comparatively accurate assessment of proving ground test was made at the condition of the body in white, and the development period for body construction was shortened.

Excellent fuel economy and high performance have been urgent in Japanese automobile industries. With increasing engine power, many of the power train components have to withstand higher loads. Differential pinion gear being one of those highly stressed parts, excellent fatigue and shock resistance have been demanded. At first the fundamental study on the fatigue and impact crack behavior of carburized components was studied and the new grade composed of 0.18%C-0.7%Mn-1.0%Cr-0.4%Mo was alloy designed. Furthermore, Si and P is reduced less than 0.15 and 0.015%, respectively aiming at the reduction of intergranular oxidation and improved case toughness. The differential gear assembly test has proved that the new grade shows three times as high impact strength as that of conventional steel, SCM418, and almost the same as that of SNCM420 containing 1.8%Ni.

Two working groups in the JSAE Committee of Fatigue–Reliability Section1 are currently researching the issue of fatigue life by both experimental and the CAE approach. Information regarding frequent critical problems on arc–welded structures were sought from auto–manufacturers, vehicle component suppliers, and material suppliers. The method for anti–fatigue design on arc–welded structures was established not only by a database created by physical test results in accordance with the collected information but also with design procedure taking Fracture–Mechanics into consideration. This method will be applied to vehicle development as one of the virtual laboratories in the digital prototype phase. In this paper, both the database from bench–test results on arc welded structures and FEA algorithm unique to JSAE are proposed some of the analysis results associated with the latter proposal are also reported.

The possibility of predicting engine bearing durability by elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) calculations was investigated with the aim of being able to improve durability efficiently without conducting numerous confirmation tests. This study focused on the connecting rod big-end bearing of an automotive engine. The mechanisms of wear and fatigue, which determine bearing durability, were estimated by comparing the results of EHL analysis and experimental data. This comparison showed the possibility of predicting the wear amount and the occurrence of fatigue by calculation.

It is difficult for a conventional robust control algorithm to assure the performance of a slip speed control system, because the plant (lockup system) includes the nonlinear characteristics of the hydraulic system and large changes in the parameters of the slip model at low vehicle speed. The purpose of this study is to reduce the fuel consumption and improve the drivability of vehicles at takeoff by using a slip speed control system. Providing a large feedback gain is effective in reducing the influence of nonlinearity. However, since the operating parameters of the lockup clutch change depending on the driving conditions, that is not possible. A feedback compensator with a gain-scheduled H∞ control method was used in this study to solve these problems. The effectiveness of the slip speed control system was demonstrated in driving tests. Using this control system, the slip speed can be controlled with high accuracy, thereby reducing unnecessary revving of the engine.