Fatigue Strength Assessment for components and subsystems of a lightweight, space saving city car with electric drive

Abstract

In the European research project Urban EV, a resource-saving city vehicle with electric drive in a lightweight design was developed. This article presents the concept of durability assessment for this vehicle. It addresses component tests on a rear control arm partially carried out under environmental conditions, as well as studies on a module of the pivoting rear axle. The provision of suitable load spectra was an important prerequisite for carrying out the experiments. Using numerical and experimental stress analyses, the test results are validated on the basis of the local concept