Frame modal analysis for an electric three-wheel vehicle

Abstract

The alternative electric vehicle for delivery (E-Trike) is a developing three-wheel electric vehicle for goods delivery. Small size and its three-wheel mobility are required for flexible manoeuvrability on urban space due to traffic, parking and alley road. In this study, three different Alpha frames (Alpha-0, Alpha-1, and Alpha-2) of E-Trike vehicle are analysed using numerical simulation LS-DYNA. This study is conducted to obtain the modal response E-Trike vehicle. Eigenvalues of dynamics properties are investigated to avoid a resonance on excitation frequency. LS-DYNA implicit simulation used for simulating quadrangular shell element for the surface geometry of the frames. Boundary conditions are applied to the steering and suspension joints represent the real field. The result shows the amplitudes and the natural frequencies of Alpha frames. Bending mode and torsion mode can be determined. Based on the simulation, there is a pattern of vibration modes. Alpha-2 which is the latest version of three configurations has better response on vibration modes. There is about 3% reduction of vibration amplitude at Alpha-2 than Alpha-0 and Alpha-1. Natural frequency response for each mode occurs at similar range. Furthermore, a shifted natural frequency of Alpha-2 combination mode occurs due to addition of the stretched frame.