Evaluation of Material Damping Ratio of Electronic Ignition Switch Module to Enhance its Finite Element Model Physics for Harmonic Response

The present paper investigates the material damping ratio parameter in detailed manner for different Electronic Ignition Switch Module (EISM) utilized in two-wheeler automobiles. At first, investigation is carried out for developing a Finite Element Method (FEM) based simulation model. The simulation is performed by matching the failure areas of critical component in assembly with physical sinusoidal vibration based shaker table test results (particularly breakage) by utilizing different damping ratios for the assembly. The damping ratio parameter is further utilized to perform FEM based harmonic response analysis for different EISM and evaluate critical structural breakage zones. The breakage zones predicted by simulation were found to be aligned with breakage zones shown by shaker table test results. The results are validated, specifically considering the damping ratio parameter. The FEM based harmonic response analysis is performed for a particular acceleration excitation in between frequency range of 50-1000 Hz. The FEM model is able to identify the critical areas for different EISM designs. The critical points are than strengthened and frequency response function is analyzed. The results of the simulation model predict the design is able to sustain the applied load. It is concluded from the results and discussion of the FEM based analysis that the algorithm set for capturing the vibrational characteristics of EISM is quite efficient. The same process set can be utilized for different models too. Keyword: Ignition switch, damping ratio, harmonic response.