Optimization of the Shape of Axi-Symmetric Rubber Bumpers

Abstract

The rubber bumpers built into the air-spring structures of buses perform a number of critical tasks. Consequently, designing their shape requires considerable effort. This paper presents a novel solution for determining the required characteristics of axi-symmetric rubber parts, which can efficiently be used in practice. The procedure is based on the finite element method (FEM) and the support vector regression (SVR) model. A finite element code developed by the authors and based on a three-field functional is used for the rapid and appropriately accurate calculation of the characteristics of rubber bumpers. A rubber shape is evaluated via the work difference and the area between the desired and the actual load-displacement curves. The objective of shape optimization is to find the geometry where the work difference is under a specified limit. The tool of optimization is the SVR method, which provides the regression function for the work difference. The minimization process of the work-difference function leads to the optimum design parameters. The efficiency of the method is verified by numerical examples.