Optimization Method of the Side Member of the Automobile Seat

Buckling is the primary cause of failure of a side member in condition of overloading,so buckling stability should be taken into consideration in the design optimization of side member.On the other hand,lightweight is always a pursuing objective of manufacturer of automobile seat.Thus both the buckling stability and lightweight are considered in the suggested design optimization method of the side member of automobile seats.The method has two design phases.Firstly,the optimal shape of back curve by using shape optimization was obtained in which the lightweight of the side member was set to be the design objective.Secondly,optimal size and distribution of grooves on side member was obtained by topography optimization in which the buckling critical load was set to be the design objective.A typical design example shows that the buckling critical load of the optimal side member is increased by 25.98%,and the weight is decreased by 3.7% simultaneously.