RELIABILITY-BASED DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF AN AUTOMOTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING KINEMATIC AND COMPLIANCE CHARACTERISTICS

摘要

This study introduces the Reliability-Based Design Optimization (RBDO) to enhance the kinematic and compliance (K & C) characteristics of automotive suspension system. In previous studies, the deterministic optimization has been performed to enhance the K & C characteristics. Unfortunately, uncertainties in the real world have not been considered in the deterministic optimization. In the design of suspension system, design variables with the uncertainties, such as the bushing stiffness, have a great influence on the variation of the suspension performances. There is a need to quantify these uncertainties and to apply the RBDO to obtain the design, satisfying the target reliability level. In this research, design variables including uncertainties are dealt as random variables and reliability of the suspension performances, which are related the K & C characteristics, are quantified and the RBDO is performed. The RBD-optimum is compared with the deterministic optimum to verify the enhancement in reliability. Thus, the reliability of the suspension performances is estimated and the RBD-optimum, satisfying the target reliability level, is determined.