%0 Journal Article
%T Evaluation of Fatigue Life Reliability of Steering Knuckle Using Pearson Parametric Distribution Model
%A E. A. Azrulhisham
%A Y. M. Asri
%A A. W. Dzuraidah
%A N. M. Nik Abdullah
%A A. Shahrum
%A C. H. Che Hassan
%J Journal of Quality and Reliability Engineering
%D 2010
%R 10.1155/2010/816407
%X Steering module is a part of automotive suspension system which provides a means for an accurate vehicle placement and stability control. Components such as steering knuckle are subjected to fatigue failures due to cyclic loads arising from various driving conditions. This paper intends to give a description of a method used in the fatigue life reliability evaluation of the knuckle used in a passenger car steering system. An accurate representation of Belgian pave service loads in terms of response-time history signal was obtained from accredited test track using road load data acquisition. The acquired service load data was replicated on durability test rig and the SN method was used to estimate the fatigue life. A Pearson system was developed to evaluate the predicted fatigue life reliability by considering the variations in material properties. Considering random loads experiences by the steering knuckle, it is found that shortest life appears to be in the vertical load direction with the lowest fatigue life reliability between 14000¨C16000 cycles. Taking into account the inconsistency of the material properties, the proposed method is capable of providing the probability of failure of mass-produced parts. 1. Introduction The steering knuckle is a part of the vehicle¡¯s steering and suspension system which undergoes time-varying loading during its service life. This system provides a means whereby driver can place his vehicle accurately where he wants it to be on the road. This system also means in keeping the vehicle stable on course regardless of irregularities in the surface over which the vehicle is travelling. Any failure in these components results immediately in loss of the orientation of the vehicle [1]. This paper will focus on McPherson strut steering knuckle which is mainly used in the steering system of the front-wheel drive vehicles. This McPherson strut steering knuckle system consist of a strut mount at the top, ball joint at the bottom, and a steering arm on the side as illustrated in Figure 1. The wheel spindle fits through a hole in the centre. Since it is connected to the steering parts and strut assembly from one side and the wheel hub assembly from the other, the component has complex restraint and constraint conditions and tolerates a combination of loads [2]. In this study, driving a vehicle over Belgian pave applies cyclic loads to the steering knuckle through the strut mount, ball joint and steering tie rod. Figure 1: Steering knuckle system. In general, fatigue life assessment of the component could be obtained using four
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jqre/2010/816407/