The housing accounts for a large portion of the overall weight of automotive transmissions, making it a part with a high need for weight reduction.
In addition, while the application of topology optimization for the purpose of reducing weight and increasing rigidity is nearing a practical level, there are no reports yet of methods for effectively applying topology optimization to complex shapes such as transmission housings.
Therefore, this study developed a topology optimization method as a tool for use in the design of lightweight and high-rigidity automotive transmission housings.
The modeling method uses a double-layered structural mesh so that topology optimization calculations can be performed for transmission housings with a hermetic structure.
This method realized a reduction in weight while still meeting the target rigidity values for transmission housings.
Shapes predicted by optimization were studied from the viewpoint of the stress generation conditions, and it was confirmed that the ribs placed as stiffeners along the bearing load transmission routes were efficiently designed.
It was also confirmed that it is important to apply the appropriate optimization method depending on the maturity of the design in order to increase the weight reduction effects when designing actual transmission housings.
Finally, the weight reduction effects were also found to be greatest when topology optimization calculations were performed from the housing framework concept stage.