Topology optimization for air suspension bracket integrated shape optimization

This paper was concerned with a new integrated method of topology optimization and shape optimization. The new method was used in this paper to optimize the structure of an air suspension bracket. In this article, Method of Moving Asymptotes was employed to solve the variable density model discrete by finite element method. The compliance and mass were regarded as topology and shape optimization objectives, respectively. In topology optimization, filter functions of elements with respect to the unit volume and stiffness matrices were selected based on Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) interpolation scheme. Based on the results of the topology optimization, the conceptual model was design, but the max stress was larger than the original model and the stress distribution was not even. Shape optimization was introduced to the modified model. In shape optimization, efficient derivatives were obtained using approximate-difference strategy. Structural volume was taken as objectives and structural response stresses were taken as constraints which ensure consistency in topology optimization and shape optimization models. Volume of the air suspension bracket was minimized subjected to rigidity and strength constraints. Finally, the detailed bracket structure is designed based on the results of the optimization. Compared with the traditional structure, the weight of the new optimized structure is reduced 30 percent and the structural reliability is almost the same with the traditional structure.