Abstract
This paper reports on a new multi-disciplinary shape optimization approach, which is aimed to use in conceptual design stage and enable quick reviews of numerous design alternatives with body in white (BIW) vehicle model. In the proposed method, shape model of BIW consist, of design lines of body frame and its cross-section, and does not needs CAD drawings fully controlled by optimization technology. Basis function method is used for representing the cross-section geometries and change them. Major difference between proposal method and conventional one is, in our method, the bases are reformulated based on contribution of performance characteristics before they are used in optimization. Due to the reformulation, each basis has physical meaning (ex. better for stiffness, better for crashworthiness and so on). Also it significantly decreases DOF of problem, because it describes problems in the space of performance characteristics. Finally, we will apply the proposal approach to a BIW model of real Honda vehicle and show its validity and effective ness comparing with current design with canonical optimization approach.
