Browse Topic: Design processes
Opening a tailgate can cause rain that has settled on its surfaces to run off onto the customer or into the rear loadspace, causing annoyance. Relatively small adjustments to tailgate seals and encapsulation can effectively mitigate these effects. However, these failure modes tend to be discovered relatively late in the design process as they, to date, need a representative physical system to test – including ensuring that any materials used on the surface flow paths elicit the same liquid flow behaviours (i.e. contact angles and velocity) as would be seen on the production vehicle surfaces. In this work we describe the development and validation of an early-stage simulation approach using a Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics code (PreonLab). This includes its calibration against fundamental experiments to provide models for the flow of water over automotive surfaces and their subsequent application to a tailgate system simulation which includes fully detailed surrounding vehicle geometry
The automotive subframe, also referred to as a cradle, is a critical chassis structure that supports the engine/electric motor, transmission system, and suspension components. The design of a subframe requires specialized expertise and a thorough evaluation of performance, vehicle integration, mass, and manufacturability. Suspension attachments on the subframe are integral, linking the subframe to the wheels via suspension links, thus demanding high performance standards. The complexity of subframe design constraints presents considerable challenges in developing optimal concepts within compressed timelines. With the automotive industry shifting towards electric vehicles, development cycles have shortened significantly, necessitating the exploration of innovative methods to accelerate the design process. Consequently, AI-driven design tools have gained traction. This study introduces a novel AI model capable of swiftly redesigning subframe concepts based on user-defined raw concepts
Over the decades, robotics deployments have been driven by the rapid in-parallel research advances in sensing, actuation, simulation, algorithmic control, communication, and high-performance computing among others. Collectively, their integration within a cyber-physical-systems framework has supercharged the increasingly complex realization of the real-time ‘sense-think-act’ robotics paradigm. Successful functioning of modern-day robots relies on seamless integration of increasingly complex systems (coming together at the component-, subsystem-, system- and system-of-system levels) as well as their systematic treatment throughout the life-cycle (from cradle to grave). As a consequence, ‘dependency management’ between the physical/algorithmic inter-dependencies of the multiple system elements is crucial for enabling synergistic (or managing adversarial) outcomes. Furthermore, the steep learning curve for customizing the technology for platform specific deployment discourages domain
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) enables requirements, design, analysis, verification, and validation associated with the development of complex systems. Obtaining data for such systems is dependent on multiple stakeholders and has issues related to communication, data loss, accuracy, and traceability which results in time delays. This paper presents the development of a new process for requirement verification by connecting System Architecture Model (SAM) with multi-fidelity, multi-disciplinary analytical models. Stakeholders can explore design alternatives at a conceptual stage, validate performance, refine system models, and take better informed decisions. The use-case of connecting system requirements to engineering analysis is implemented through ANSYS ModelCenter which integrates MBSE tool CAMEO with simulation tools Motor-CAD and Twin Builder. This automated workflow translates requirements to engineering simulations, captures output and performs validations. System
Automotive audio components must meet high quality expectations with ever-decreasing development costs. Predictive methods for the performance of sound systems in view of the optimal locations of loudspeakers in a car can help to overcome this challenge. Use of simulation methods would enable this process to be brought up front and get integrated in the vehicle design process. The main objective of this work is to develop a virtual auralization model of a vehicle interior with audio system. The application of inverse numerical acoustics [INA] to source detection in a speaker is discussed. The method is based on truncated singular value decomposition and acoustic transfer vectors The arrays of transfer functions between the acoustic pressure and surface normal velocity at response sites are known as acoustic transfer vectors. In addition to traditional nearfield pressure measurements, the approach can also include velocity data on the boundary surface to improve the confidence of the
Designing engine components poses significant challenges due to the long simulation times required to model complex thermal and mechanical loads, such as high-pressure forces, vibration, and fatigue. Accurate simulations are critical for ensuring component reliability and durability, but they are computationally intensive, leading to prolonged development timelines. In the fast-paced automotive industry, where meeting tight deadlines is essential, lengthy simulation processes create bottlenecks that hinder achieving optimal design outcomes on time. To address this, we utilize a Modified Extensible Lattice Sequence (MELS) approach combined with Design of Experiments (DOE). MELS generates low-discrepancy, space-filling sequences that ensure uniform coverage across the design space, minimizing clusters and gaps in experimental designs. This tool streamlines the simulation process, enabling engineers to explore broader design parameters and optimize components efficiently. By forecasting
In the automotive industry, the durability and thermal analysis of components significantly impact vehicle component robustness and customer satisfaction. Traditional computer-aided engineering (CAE) methods, while effective, often involve extensive design iterations and troubleshooting, leading to prolonged development times and increased costs. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into the CAE process presents a transformative solution to these challenges. By leveraging AI and ML, the durability simulation time of automobile components is significantly enhanced. Altair’s Physics AI tool utilizes historical CAE data to train ML models, enabling accurate predictions of model performance in terms of durability and stiffness. This reduces the necessity for multiple simulations, thereby decreasing CAE model design and solution completion times by 30%. By predicting potential issues early in the design phase, AI and ML allow engineers to make informed
The vehicle wake region is of high importance when analyzing the aerodynamic performance of a vehicle. It is characterized by turbulent separated flow and large low-pressure regions that contribute significantly to drag. In some cases, the wake region can oscillate between different modes which can pose an engineering challenge during vehicle development. Vehicles that exhibit bimodal wake behavior need to have their drag values recorded over a sufficient time period to take into account the low frequency shift in drag signal, therefore, simulating such vehicle configurations in CFD could consume substantial CPU hours resulting in an expensive and inefficient vehicle design iterations process. As an alternative approach to running simulations for long periods of time, the impact of adding artificial turbulence to the inlet on wake behavior and its potential impact on reduced runtime for design process is investigated in this study. By adding turbulence to the upstream flow, the wake
Automotive chassis components are considered as safety critical components and must meet the durability and strength requirements of customer usage. The cases such as the vehicle driving through a pothole or sliding into a curb make the design (mass efficient chassis components) challenging in terms of the physical testing and virtual simulation. Due to the cost and short vehicle development time requirement, it is impractical to conduct physical tests during the early stages of development. Therefore, virtual simulation plays the critical role in the vehicle development process. This paper focuses on virtual co-simulation of vehicle chassis components. Traditional virtual simulation of the chassis components is performed by applying the loads that are recovered from multi-body simulation (MBD) to the Finite Element (FE) models at some of the attachment locations and then apply constraints at other selected attachment locations. In this approach, the chassis components are assessed
This paper presents the development of a cost-effective assistive headgear designed to address the navigation challenges faced by millions of visually impaired individuals in India. Existing solutions are often prohibitively expensive, leaving a significant portion of this population underserved. To address this gap, we propose a novel human-machine interface that utilizes a synergistic combination of computer vision, stereo imaging, and haptic feedback technologies. The focus of this project lies in the creation of a practical and affordable headgear that empowers visually impaired users with real time obstacle detection and navigation capabilities. The solution leverages computer vision for environmental analysis and integrates haptic feedback for intuitive user guidance. This paper details the design intricacies of the headgear, along with the implementation methodologies employed. We present comprehensive testing results and discuss the project's potential to significantly enhance
Nowadays, there are many technologies emerging like firefighting robots, quadcopters, and drones which are capable of operating in hazardous disaster scenarios. In recent years, fire emergencies have become an increasingly serious problem, leading to hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and the destruction of property worth millions of dollars. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded approximately 1,218 fire incidents resulting in 1,694 deaths in 2020 alone. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that fires account for around 265,000 deaths each year, with the majority occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The existing fire-extinguishing systems are often inefficient and lack proper testing, causing significant delays in firefighting efforts. These delays become even more critical in situations involving high-rise buildings or bushfires, where reaching the affected areas is particularly challenging. The leading causes of
The goal of this work is to increase the accuracy and efficiency of hose cutting operations in small scale industries is by designing and building an automatic hose-cutting equipment. The device uses a computer-controlled system to autonomously cut pipes of various sizes and lengths. By means of a stepper motor-driven, rapidly spinning blade, the cutting process is accomplished. Additionally, the machine has sensors that measure the hose's length and modify the cutting position as necessary. Premium components and materials are used in the machine's construction; these are chosen for their performance and longevity. The device is able to boost cut precision and raise industry production all around from 100% to 190% efficient system thereby decreasing labor and time needed for hose cutting operations.
In India, Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) system-based technologies are rising due to anticipation on mandatory regulation for DDAW. However, readiness of the system to introduce to Indian market requires validations to meet standard (Automotive Industry Standard 184) for the system are complex and sometimes subjective in nature. Furthermore, the evaluation procedure to map the system accuracy with the Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) requirement involves manual interpretation which can lead to false reading. In certain scenarios, KSS validation may entail to fatal risks also. Currently, there is no effective mechanism so far available to compare the performance of different DDAW systems which are coming up in Indian market. This lack of comparative investigation channel can be a concerning factor for the automotive manufactures as well as for the end-customers. In this paper, a robust validation setup using motion drive simulator with 3 degree of freedom (DOF) is
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed an adjustable thermal control ball valve (TCBV) assembly which utilizes a unique geometric ball valve design to facilitate precise thermal control within a spacesuit. The technology meters the coolant flow going to the cooling and ventilation garment, worn by an astronaut in the next generation space suit, that expels waste heat during extra vehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks.
Researchers have been testing ways to continuously and more comfortably detect these tiny fluctuations in pressure. A prototype smart contact lens measures eye pressure accurately, regardless of temperature. The contact lens wirelessly transmits real-time signals about eye pressure across a wide range of temperatures.
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