Mini Automobile Drive Axle Housing Structure Analysis And Fatigue Life Prediction Research

In the automobile transmission system, the drive axle transmit the torque of engine to the drive wheels, it play the role of a supporting vehicle load, at the same time, it transmit traction, braking force, lateral force of the ground which have effect on the drive wheels to the suspension and chassis. Drive axle housing is both a carrier and power transmission part. In the driving process, due to complex road conditions, weather conditions and technical conditions, axle housing alternating impact load, there is a problem about improper design or manufacturing process, it will cause the deformation or fatigue fracture of the axle housing. Therefore, sufficient strength, stiffness and fatigue life in the dynamic axle load must be considered in the design of axle housing. The structure analysis and fatigue life prediction of axle housing have been carried out. According to it, reasonable improvement measures are put forward.First of all, according to the structure characteristics of the axle housing and force condition, three-dimensional modeling of the axle housing was constructed and simplified, finite element model of axle housing was set up at the same time.Simulation analysis under the four classic working conditions is carried out by ANSYS. The result is stress nephogram and deformation nephogram of the axle housing under four conditions. Vertical bending rigidity and static strength of the axle housing was simulated. Fatigue life of the simulation analysis was carried out on the axle housing, getting the bridge shell fatigue life under different survival rates.Bench test of vertical bending stiffness, static strength and fatigue was done, the test results are consistent with the simulation, the accuracy of the fatigue life are verified.At last, according to the structure stress analysis and fatigue life of the axle housing, the axle housing structure was improved. Results show that the structure of bridge housing improvement can effectively improve the stiffness and strength of the bridge shell and extend its fatigue life.