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In view of the problem of high local stress in the air spring bracket of a bus, a structural modification is conducted with finite element analysis and topology optimization. The least squares method is applied to the curve-fitting for the zigzag boundaries in topologically optimized model to make them smooth and manufacturable. In addition, the plug welding holes are modified based on the results of topology optimization, and the modified bracket is incorporated into vehicle model to proceed CAE analysis. The results show that both the maximum and the average stress levels in modified structure are obviously lowered with the mass of bracket reduced by 18. 6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-load case weighted topology optimization is conducted on the steering knuckle of a Formula SAE racing car by using OptiStruct solver and the results are compared with early design schemes. The results show that after optimization the mass of the rear steering knuckle is reduced by 45.1%, while its strength and stiffness meet requirements, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of the method used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lightweighting effects of electric buses and fuel buses are comparatively analyzed. The results show that the energy saving effects of lightweighting for two kinds of buses have no obvious difference, but the lightweighting of electric buses has an additional benefit, i. e. the significant increase in driving range, and hence the reduction of battery replacement times, leading to lower cost of battery use. Therefore providing two kinds of buses spend the same cost in lightweighting and reduce the same amount of mass, the benefit of lightweighting for electric buses is higher than that for fuel buses. In current situation of high battery cost with key technologies remained to be broken through ,the lightweighting demands for electric vehicles are more urgent than fuel vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For optimizing the sections of thin-walled beams in vehicle-body concept design phase, algorithms for determining section geometric properties and the method to control section shape by scale vector are proposed. The section assist-design module and section optimization module are developed and incorporated into the independently developed vehicle-body concept design system VCD_ICAE. On these bases and adopting PSO optimization algorithm, an optimization of the thickness and shape of beam sections in multi-constraints condition is conducted, realizing the lightweighting of vehicle-body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]