You are on page 1of 5

A REPORT ON TOWING HOOK FOR DURABILITY

Subject: Vehicle Engineering- FEM Simulation & Application Date: 21.01.2013

Professor: Prof. Dr. Ing. Thilo Rth

Submitted by: - KAUSHIK AMBURE Matriculation Number: 463803

Introduction of a component system Bumper with a towing hook


The arrangement of towing hook is made in order to pull the other vehicle and in order to getting pulled by other vehicle. In this scenario we will focus on the condition of the vehicle getting pulled by another vehicle. Although in reality dynamic loads are imposed on a towing hook device, testing is conducted by applying a static load. When a rope is used for a towing application, dynamic load is generated namely because of Jerky deceleration patterns, difference between speeds of the vehicle being pulled and the pulling vehicle. If we compare the momentary dynamic force, the static force applied during the testing brings forward higher strength of the towing appliances. The compression test is considered critical to the tensile test, since it accounts for a higher strength of the towing appliances. The force used in testing is based on the total permissible weight. Total permissible weight includes weight of vehicle, passengers and luggage. Following pictures show the cases in which vehicle can be pulled or used for pulling. Towing hook in front of the vehicle Towing hook at the vehicle rear

Typical loads and Fulfilling performance criteria


The testing loads applied to the towing can be longitudinal and also at an angle. The angular load accounts for higher strength. The stresses induced in a towing hook device specifically in the threads of the eye bolt are tensile, compressive, shear and principal stresses. The typical loading cases and testing pattern can be found on the next page.

Test Set-up & Calculations:


Among 5 testing positions mentioned on the previous page, we carry out durability test for position 0. The test is carried out on a compression-tension machine. As it can been seen from the set up, 4 strain gauges were attached near the cylindrical hole and 1 strain gauge was attached on the tie rod in order to measure the elongation or strain Tie Rod

Strain Gauges

In order to calculate the stress induced in the towing hook device and tie rod, we need to take into account the youngs modulus of elasticity and basic stress- force equation. For a Strain gauge 4, in 2nd compression cycle, strain comes to be - 1177399m/m, Strain (L) = 1.17799e-3 Stress = Youngs modulus (E) * Strain = 2.1e5*1.17799e-3 = 247.37 N/mm2 Force = Stress*Cross sectional area = 247.37*(/4)*202 = 77.71kN In a similar way, we can calculate the stress values for other strain gauges. For Strain Gauge 1 for Strain Gauge 2

Strain (Unitless) 6.74E-04 3.22E-04 6.74E-04 3.24E-04

Strain Gauge 1 Stress (N/mm2) 1.42E+02 67.62 1.42E+02 68

Force (kN) 4.46E+01 21.23 44.58 21.35

Strain (Unitless) 1.09E-03 8.56E-04 1.08E-03 8.59E-04

Strain Gauge 2 Stress (N/mm2) 2.29E+02 179.74 2.27E+02 180.39

Force (kN) 7.19E+01 56.46 71.25 56.67

For Strain Gauge 3 Strain Gauge 3 Strain (Unitless) 1.08E-03 8.30E-04 1.07E-03 8.35E-04 Stress (N/mm2) 2.27E+02 174.27 2.25E+02 175.35 Force (kN) 7.13E+01 54.751 70.591 55

For Strain Gauge 4 Strain Gauge 4 Stress (N/mm2) 2.46E+02 154.35 2.48E+02 155.4

Strain (Unitless) 1.17E-03 7.35E-04 1.18E-03 7.40E-04

Force (kN) 7.72E+01 48.49 77.84 48.82

For Tie Rod Tie Rod Stress (N/mm2) 2.44E+01 24.57 2.44E+01 24.78

Strain (Unitless) 1.16E-04 1.17E-04 1.16E-04 1.18E-04

Force (kN) 7.65E+00 7.71 7.65 7.784

In order to calculate the max bending of constraining structure, we will assume the constraining structure as a beam with both ends fixed and moment of inertia as 1.14e-5 mm4 and E = 2.1e5 N/mm2. M.I. = depth*width3/12 = 0.06256*0.133/12 = 1.14e-5 mm4 Now consider the beam as following: From the maximum force value of force on the tie rod in the 2nd tension cycle (7.784kN), We can calculate the maximum bending in mm of the beam. From the Macau lags method of beam deflection, we calculate the deflection of the beam.

FEM Simulation of Towing Hook:


1) Displacement Contour:

2) Stress Contour:

You might also like