Topology optimization of compressor bracket

Topology optimization is very useful engineering technique especially at the concept design stage. It is common habit to design depending on the designer’s experience at the early stage of product development. Structural analysis methodology of compressor bracket was verified on the static and dynamic loading condition with 2 bracket samples for the topology optimization base model. Topology optimization is able to produce reliable and satisfactory results with the verified structural model. Base bracket model for the topology optimization was modeled considering the interference with the adjacent vehicle parts. Objective function was to minimize combined compliance and the constraint was the first natural frequency over 250 Hz. Multiple load cases such as normal mode calculation and gravity load conditions with 3-axis direction were also applied for the optimization, expecting an even stress distribution and vibration durability performance. Commercial structural optimization code such as optistruct of Altair Engineering was used for the structural topology optimization. Optimization was converged after 14 iterations with the satisfaction of natural frequency constraint. New bracket shape was produced with the CATIA based on the topology optimization result. The new bracket from topology optimization result was compared with the traditional concept model and topology optimization base model under 4 load cases. 14 % 1’st natural frequency of new bracket with only 4 % mass increment increased compared to the concept model. 31 % mass decreased compared to the base model without the increment of stress under gravity load cases. It was analyzed thata new bracket would not fail during a vibration durability test, and these results were verified with a fabricated real sample under the durability condition.