Search Results

This paper presents the results of CFD study on sunroof buffeting suppression using a dividing bar. The role of a dividing bar in side window buffeting case was illustrated in a previous study [8]. For the baseline model of the selected vehicle in this study, a very high level of sunroof buffeting, 133dB, has been found. The CFD simulation shows that the buffeting noise can be significantly reduced if a dividing bar is installed at the sunroof. A further optimization study on the dividing bar demonstrates that the peak buffeting level can be reduced to 123dB for the selected vehicle if the dividing bar is installed at its optimal location, 65% of the total length from the front edge of the sunroof. The peak buffeting level can be further reduced to 100dB if the dividing bar takes its optimal width 80mm, 15% of the total length of the sunroof for this vehicle, while staying at its optimal location.

The vibration-generating mechanisms inside an engine are highly non-linear (combustion, valve operation, hydraulic bearing behavior, etc.). However, the engine structure, under the influence of these vibration-generating mechanisms, responds in a highly linear way. For the development and optimization of the engine structure for noise and vibration it is beneficial to use fast and ‘simple’ linear models, like linear FE-models, measured modal models or measured FRF-models. All these models allow a qualitative assessment of variants without excitation information. But, for true optimization, internal excitation spectra are needed in order to avoid that effort is spent to optimize non-critical system properties. Unfortunately, these internal excitation spectra are difficult to measure. Direct measurement of combustion pressure is still feasible, but crank-bearing forces, piston guidance forces etc. can only be identified indirectly.

For the 2003 model year DaimlerChrysler Corporation will launch a totally new 5.7L V-8 engine for applications of the Dodge Ram pick-up truck. The new engine was created largely within a digital environment using the latest computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided engineering (CAE) techniques and tools. Utilizing a co-located team of design engineers, designers, and CAE engineers enabled the simulations to impact the design from program inception to the assembly line, saving program time and investment. This paper describes the successful merging of design and advanced analysis techniques by highlighting examples throughout the new HEMI® program. Case studies include issues in the areas of structural optimization, engine loading, lubrication circuit, cooling circuit, and manufacturing.

This paper presents the results of optimization study for sunroof buffeting reduction using CFD technology. For an early prototype vehicle as a baseline model in this study a high level of sunroof buffeting 133dB has been found. The CFD simulation shows that the buffeting noise can be reduced by installing a wind deflector at its optimal angle 40 degrees from the upward vertical line. Further optimization study demonstrates that the buffeting peak SPL can be reduced to 97dB if the sunroof glass moves to its optimal position, 50% of the total length of the sunroof from the front edge. For any other vehicles, the optimization procedure is the same to get the optimal parameters. On the other hand, however, this optimization study is only based on fluid dynamics principle without considering manufacturability, styling, cost, etc. Further work is needed to utilize the results in the production design.

The relationship of the airbag fire-distribution as a function of impact velocity to the airbag fire-time is studied through the use of an optimization procedure. The study is conducted by abstracting the sensor algorithm and its associated constraints into a simple mathematical formulation. An airbag fire objective function is constructed that integrates the fire-rate and fire-time requirements. The function requires the input of a single acceleration time history; it produces an output depending on the airbag fire condition. Numerical search of the optimal fire threshold curve is achieved through parameterizing this curve and applying a modified simplex search optimization algorithm that determines the optimal threshold function parameters without computing the complete objective function in the parameter space. Numerical results are given to show the effectiveness and potential difficulties with the automatic search scheme.