Topology Optimization of a Lightweight Multi-material Cowl Cross Member Using Matrix Input with the Craig Bampton Nodal Method

As demand of light weight in the automotive industry has increased, the cowl cross member has been investigated using various methods to change the material. Conventionally, a cowl cross member has been made of steel and aluminum, but recently researchers tested multi-material such as aluminum and plastic. We studied a new model of the cowl cross member made of composite and non ferrous materials. For products with a high degree of freedom in design, generally, the method of topology optimization is advantageous and for the partial bracket part of the cowl cross member had a degree of freedom in the design, a topology optimization is appropriate. Considering the characteristics of the cowl cross members, we need research to minimize the weight while having the performance of noise, vibration and harshness(NVH). Taking the mounting status of the product into consideration, we used an assembly model to optimize the cowl cross member. But this method took too much time so we considered simple cowl cross member assemble conditions using the direct matrix input method(DMI) with the Craig-Bampton Nodal Method. This method is capable of considering the status of the assembly without assembling the model, which reduced the solving time and increased the accuracy comparison with a cowl cross member without DMI.