Development of a novel testing procedure and optimisation of a rubber spring using constrained simulated annealing algorithm for automobile clutch system

Abstract

The automotive industry is the area where rubber is widely used, however, the use of rubber based springs within the clutch system requires further investigation under dynamic conditions. In this study, the new methodology is proposed for the use of elastomer-based damper springs in automobile clutch system. The design of rubber damper spring and validation are comparatively investigated, and novel approach is developed. For this purpose, clutch usage on the automobile was simulated with a torsional fatigue test, which represents the loading and unloading case on damper springs at specific cycles and frequencies. Nitrile rubber (NBR) was chosen as the sample rubber spring, since it has representative material characteristics. As a result of the performed tests, a target stiffness value was obtained for the clutch requirements, and then a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm was coded in Python language and applied using specific design constraints from the response surface methodology (RSM).