Topology optimisation on frames of electric motorcycles

Abstract

As scientific and engineering studies advance, CAD and CAE are applied in engineering widely. But for wheeled device frame design engineers, how to sketch the frame efficiently and form it in optimisation at the same time is difficult. Until now, many engineers still find the optimal design by using FEA and Try and Error method. In this paper, a topology optimisation method, simple fully stressed design method (SFSD), that integrates fully stressed design (FSD) concept and commercial FEA software are presented to design frames. Engineers will reduce time on making a new frame design through this topology optimisation. Unlike executing conventional optimisation procedure, engineers do not need to calculate the sensitivity. That means engineers can integrate CAE with the frame sketch more efficiently. Currently, electric motorcycles are becoming more popular but there is a problem with weight. This paper illustrates the SFSD method with the frame design of electric motorcycles.