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In this study an effort has been made to establish a response surface model to predict material thinning in a stamped chassis cross member. Numerical simulations using finite element method were performed to populate the data needed for response surface analysis. The results predicted by the response surface model were compared with the results of numerical simulations and were found to be in good agreement. The effect of corner radius, flange radius and flange height on material thinning was investigated using the response surface model.

Compression is a key design attribute of both compressible seals and coupled hose systems. Traditional design techniques use 3-sigma upper and lower limits from capability studies on critical component dimensions to estimate potential compression variation. Probability calculations are shown that indicate that the true variation in compression is much less than this estimate. An alternative approach using probabilistic design techniques to calculate true 6-sigma (+/-3-sigma) compression variation is shown for both a typical radial seal and a hose coupling. The results are then compared to Monte Carlo simulations using representative data sets for each critical dimension.

Finite element modeling has been used extensively nowadays for predicting the noise and vibration performance of whole engines or subsystems. However, the elastomeric components on the engines or subsystems are often omitted in the FE models due to some known difficulties. One of these is the lack of the material properties at higher frequencies. The elastomer is known to have frequency-dependent viscoelasticity, i.e., the dynamic modulus increases monotonically with frequency and the damping exhibits a peak. These properties can be easily measured using conventional dynamic mechanical experiments but only in the lower range of frequencies. The present paper describes a method for characterizing the viscoelastic properties at higher frequencies using fractional calculus. The viscoelastic constitutive equations based on fractional derivatives are discussed. The method is then used to predict the high frequency properties of an elastomer.

Higher demands from automotive customers for quieter vehicles and the reduction of noise and vibration levels from major sources like the engine necessitate better performance of other sources of noise and vibrations in a vehicle. One of these sources that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) demand making quieter is the power steering system. The pressure ripple generated by the power steering pump transfers to the fluid lines where it can generate objectionable noise and vibrations. This can become an excitation force to the structure of a vehicle or the steering gear and can become a source of discomfort to the vehicle occupants. Attenuation of the pressure ripple within the hose assembly can result in significant reduction in noise inside the vehicle. The NVH research team at the Fluid System Products of Dana Corporation has developed “Dana's Virtual Test Rig (DVTR™),” - a hydraulic system simulation software.

A nano-composite high strength (NCHS) steel was tested and evaluated in this work. Monotonic tension, strain controlled fatigue and fracture toughness tests were conducted at ambient temperature. Chemical composition, microstructure and fractography analysis were also performed. The NCHS steel showed excellent combination of high strength, high ductility and high fracture toughness with relatively low alloy content, compared with a S7 tool steel. Fatigue performance of the NCHS steel was also better than that of S7 tool steel. With the exceptional combination of high strength and high fracture toughness, the nano-composite high strength steel may have potential applications in gears, shafts, tools and dies where high fatigue performance, shock load resistance, wear and corrosion resistance is required.

This paper will describe the development of an accelerated testing methodology for an off-highway vehicle rotary oil seal system. There are two typical field failure mechanisms associated with off-highway input pinion shaft oil seals: 1) excessive abrasive wear of soft seal lip and hard shaft surface due to abrasive environment; 2) excessive heat and degradation of the seal lip due to lack of lubricity and wear of the shaft surface run against this seal. The accelerated testing of the rotary oil seal consisted of a combination of the following factors; shaft run-out, eccentricity, testing temperature, rotation and reciprocal motion of the seal lip relative to the shaft surface. The combination of these factors especially reciprocal motion reproduces the same failure mechanism, i.e. shaft wear grooves and oil seal lip wear observed on the field usage samples with 6,300 hours service in only 350 hours of accelerated testing.

Shaft surface texture plays a very important role in rotary oil seal system performance. Functionally, the shaft surface has to prevent oil leakage via pumping between the shaft and seal. The shaft surface texture must also provide adequate contact with the seal lip, while maintaining a lubricant film. Furthermore, the initial surface texture of the shaft plays a vital role in the process of oil seal lip break-in. The shaft surface finish specification is typically Ra, 10 to 20 μ″ with a 0° ± 0.05°lead angle. The paper will describe a new surface measurement method based on interference microscopy, which generates a visual representation of a significant portion of the shaft surface texture to allow direct lead angle detection. Using this new technique, this paper will demonstrate the heredity of lead generation. The shaft 3D surface texture measurement also provides a measure of the surface volume available for lubricant retention.

A transfer case was designed to utilize electronic control. It has a planetary interaxle differential for proportional torque split. An electromagnetic clutch is applied across the differential to enhance mobility when road coefficients allow single wheel or single axle traction loss. The need for clutch actuation is monitored by an electronic module and sensor system, that detects abnormal amounts of differentiation in the interaxle unit. Clutch actuation is signaled and controlled by the module, which is also electrically connected to the rear axle ABS brake system to eliminate any possible simultaneous function compatibility issues. System emphasis is on foul weather mobility when negotiating highway and secondary roads. The family vehicle market was targeted and performance parameters were adjusted toward mobility and driver confidence to complete a given trip.

Improvements in component/system design is a daily challenge these days, always looking for high performance, reduced mass and low costs. The source for the best fit between these factors, coupled with adequate durability performance, is crucial to the success of a given product and this is what motivates engineering teams around the world. The demand for efficient projects with short deadlines for validation and certification is huge and simulation tools focused on accelerated durability and virtual validation are increasingly being used. When developing a new spring for commercial vehicles, lessons learned from the actual loads applied to the suspension are the “key” to a successful project. The loads/stresses from the ground (vertical loads, lateral loads, longitudinal and braking loads) are quite high and, consequently, relevant to the proper definition of the design of the suspension components.

Traditional methods often lead to truck component designs that are overly conservative. The ever-increasing need to reduce operational costs demands innovative means for producing parts that are light, durable and capable of carrying more loads. This paper discusses the far-reaching advantages of shape-optimization, beyond the fundamental stipulation of weight reduction. A suspension link is considered to demonstrate the benefits of an optimally shaped component.

As a part of a major research program with the aim of improving heavy truck drive axle fuel efficiency, this work focuses on seal friction torque test development and establishing pinion seal and wheel seal friction torque baseline data. Pinion seal and wheel seal friction torque was measured. The effect of speed and temperature on pinion seal friction torque was assessed. The effect of several coatings on pinion seal friction torque was evaluated. Pinion seal friction torque was also calculated and calculation result was compared with test data. Finally the impact of seal friction and bearing friction on total drive axle power loss was discussed.

A new wheel end concept was designed and developed to allow sport utility vehicles (SUV) and light trucks the possibility of achieving a negative scrub radius. This paper will compare a production vehicle with a scrub radius of 54.8 mm with the same vehicle modified with several alternate scrub radii. The vehicle changes are completed in a way that still packages the brake components and meets the component durability needs of a light truck wheel end load cycle. Quantitative vehicle computer analysis and actual instrumented vehicle performance data will be compared and correlated to analyze the effects of scrub radius.