Topology Optimization Design of Gearbox Housing in Electric Bus

Abstract

The virtual prototyping technology in corporation with a finite element analysis was first used to analyze the strength and stiffness of gearbox casing in an electric bus. On the basis of this analysis, the topology optimization technology (TOT) based on the variable density method was introduced into the design of gearbox casing which takes the minimized total flexibility of gearbox as the objective function, the density of each cell as the design variable and the volume as the design constraint. Then, according to the results of topology optimization and the requirements of manufacturing process, the structure of gearbox casing was designed in detail. Finally, the stress analysis of the housing model of the final design was carried out. The results show that the optimized housing not only meets the design requirements of stiffness and strength, but also reduces its quality, which can make the performance of gearbox achieve optimal.