Finite Element Analysis And Structure Optimization Of A Recreational Vehicle Frame

In recent years, the attention of tourism by recreation vehicle was increasing with the development of economy and the improvement of people’s living standards. The frame carried the primary loads of a recreation vehicle, and its design was directly related to the quality of the vehicle. Recently, the finite element method has become an important means of study for automobile frame, but the application on the frame of recreation vehicle is lacking. In this paper, the research object was the frame of a travel trailer, finite element method was applied to statics analysis and dynamics analysis, and the strength and stiffness was checked. Then, optimization on corresponding parts was carried out based on the study. The main research work is as follows:Firstly, the three-dimensional model was established by Pro/E software based on the parameters of the various components of the frame, and the model was simplified appropriately. Then, the model was imported into the finite element software ANSYS Workbench, the finite element model of frame could be obtained by defining the material property and meshing the three-dimensional model.Afterwards, statics analysis was carried out on the frame, the deformation and the stress of the frame on bending condition, twisting condition, braking condition, and turning condition by calculating. In the process of checking the strength and stiffness, a problem was founded that the strength of the frame on twisting condition was insufficient.Next, we got the first eight natural frequencies and mode of vibrations by modal analysis. Analyzed the relevant parameters and we could draw the conclusion that the frame could avoid resonance on normal driving conditions and dynamic performance was fine.Finally, to solve the problem that the strength of the frame on twisting condition was insufficient, optimization based on response surface method and genetic algorithm was carried out in the optimization module of ANSYS Workbench. After the definition of design variables, constraint conditions and objective functions, the data sharing was achieved by collaborative simulation between Pro/E and ANSYS Workbench. The final optimal design was obtained through design of experiment, response surface and optimization. Through the optimal design, the problem about strength was solved and the mass of the frame was reduced effectively.