The sub-frame is located on the lower body of a monocoque type vehicle and serves as an engine and suspension, and is an important object part that receives a lot of load. The existing press-type sub-frame has a large number of parts for assembling, which causes an increase in cost. Changing the machining form of this part from the existing press-type machining method to the hydro-forming machining method has the advantage of reducing the cost and weight at the same time due to the reduction of the process. Therefore, in this study, the purpose of this study is to change the design so that the sub-frame of the existing press type can be changed to the hydro-forming process method. To this end, we intend to present a design method by analyzing the effect on the rigidity of the sub-frame using the existing machining method through shape optimization analysis.

In this study, stiffness evaluation was conducted on the main member, front cross member, and rear cross member, which are three components of sub-frame for SUVs (sports utility vehicles), through mode analysis. As for the design variables used in the analysis, the maximum frequency was examined by varying the width and height of each of the three parts into four types. Of course, the weight at this time is minimized, and the mode is set as a constraint that only bending occurs and no distortion occurs. As a result of the analysis, the member affecting the 1st mode was the rear cross member, and the member having the greatest influence on the 2nd mode was the front cross member. In addition, the member with the greatest influence on the 3rd mode appeared as the rear cross member, indicating that this part had the greatest effect on the bending stiffness.