Multi-objective biomimetic optimization design of stiffeners for automotive door based on vein unit of dragonfly wing

Abstract

In this paper, a biomimetic optimizing design of the stiffeners layout of the automotive inner door panels is proposed based on vein unit of dragonfly wing. The distributions features of the dragonfly veins and similarity as stiffeners are analyzed, and then the excellent structural features of mechanical properties of the dragonfly veins are extracted to work as a biomimetic design. In order to research the distribution of the reinforced areas in the interior door panels under various operating conditions, the finite element model is established firstly. Secondly, gray relation theory combined with analytic hierarchy analysis are imposed to determine the weight value of each condition in multi-objective topology optimization to fully consider both objective and subjective factors, and topological optimization results indicate that the stiffeners of the inner door panel are biconically designed. Finally, the original finite element results of the inner door panels are compared with that after optimized with biomimetic stiffeners under the same operating conditions, and the result of the comparison verify the effectiveness of the biomimetic topology design. Specifically, for the dent-resistant and sinking condition, the strength of new door increases by 20.2% and 14.3%, respectively. Therefore, doors with biomimetic stiffeners have an increased resistance to deformation and vibration, while the mass is reduced by 2.7%. The results can provide valuable new ideas for the optimal biomimetic design of automotive door inner panel stiffeners.