CAE simulation based structural assessment of steering wheel

The structural integrity of the steering wheel is important for vehicle operations. It is subjected to various load conditions during the vehicle motion and thus becomes important to understand various aspects of the same which includes stiffness, natural frequency, regulatory requirements i.e body block test, head form impact test. Simulation plays an important role in structural integrity and design validation requirement at design stage itself. This paper discusses modelling and simulation of steering wheel at both armature level and at complete steering wheel level. As armature is critical from structural strength and stiffness point of view, certain simulations like modal analysis are performed first at armature level and design iterations were done to achieve the natural frequency target. List of simulations performed includes modal analysis, bending rigidity, static compression, bending stiffness, body block test and head form test as per AIS -096 etc. Simulation results which include deformation, stress, energy absorption and ‘g’ levels during impact were studied and correlated with physical testing also.