Finite Element Analysis And Optimization Of Steering Knuckle

Steering knuckle is one of the main components of automobile chassis. It links the vehicle' suspension, front axle, steering system transmission mechanism and brakes effectively, which is able to bear the front load of the vehicle, achieve the vehicle steering by front wheel drive and other functions. This paper reviews the study of vehicle steering knuckle on the basis of the status and trends, analysises the steering knuckle structure, contrains and load conditions and carries out the strength analysis, modal analysis, optimization and other studies by applicating the finite element analysis and structural optimization design method. The topic came from Zhejiang Science and Technology Department Major Funded Project-Development and Application of Digital Design & Analysis Platform of Shared Chassis, and the main work and research results are as follows:1. Using APDL language to establish the steering knuckle analytical model in the ANSYS software. Using APDL parametric modeling method in the ANSYS software to establish a steering knuckle analytical model, the model applies 10-node tetrahedron element SOLID92 for meshing and deals with various boundary conditions and loads by Multipoint Constraint Element 184. The established steering knuckle analytical model captures the characteristics of the structure, reflecting the characteristics of the structure and the constraints of load conditions truly. In order to provide the basis for practical application, the prepared APDL program has readability, modifiablity and matching,etc.2. Structural statics analysis module using ANSYS conducts the strength analysis of the steering knuckle model. On the basis of the analysis of the constraint and load in the steering knuckle, according to the three kinds of the typical operating conditions of the nominal load calculation method when the car is driving on the load, the use of ANSYS structural static analysing module can receive the cloud of stress and deformation map under a variety of working conditions, and analysis the steering knuckle loaded situation and stress distribution, the results indicate that this steering knuckle can satisfy the strength requirements.3. Structural dynamics analysis module using ANSYS conducts the modal analysis of steering knuckle. Based on studying the theory of modal analysis in detail, structural dynamics analysis module using ANSYS conducts the modal analysis of steering knuckle, calculates and extracts the vibration characteristics of the steering knuckle, and finds the steering knuckle natural vibration mode and frequency before the 10-order, at the same time, analysises the modal characteristics of the steering knuckle produced.4. Using the ANSYS design optimization module to optimize the steering knuckle's structure. Reduce weight as the objective function, meet strength, stiffness, frequency conditions and the geometric boundary conditions for the constraints, and select the geometry, the coordinates as design variables, establish a steering knuckle structure optimization mathematical model and use ANSYS design optimization module to make the shape optimization for the steering knuckle's steering pull arm, the under support desk, the convex ear and the other parts of the upper block, at last, put forward some feasible suggestions about improving the situation of stress concentration of the steering knuckle.Finally, make a summary of the whole paper, and give some prospects for a further research.