Dynamic Behavior of Segmented Telescoping Structures in Automotive Systems

Vehicles contain many examples of transversely loaded telescoping structures with overlapped sections, including Macpherson struts, hydraulic and pneumatic shock absorbers, closure actuators, and various powertrain elements such as splined shafts. This paper presents results of research into the mathematical modeling and dynamic response of such components. Specifically, the systems are modeled as Euler beams with overlapping sections of varying length. These systems are characterized according to their physical configurations and constraints. Solution methodologies are discussed. The paper concludes with parametric studies that are pertinent to vehicle design applications, and which yield insight into the interrelationships among modal characteristics, dynamic response, and optimization of segmented structures.