Reliability Optimization Design of Automobile Propeller Shaft

Large sag due to heavy weight of the propeller shaft is a major cause of rotating vibration, so that to use the hollow shaft is an effective way to reduce the weight. Many scholars and engineers ignored that the outer and inner diameter are discrete and integer variables in optimization design of the propeller shaft. The practicability of an optimal solution is affected by decimal value of the diameter. A practical reliability optimization model with discrete and integer variable of the propeller shaft is proposed, and “Solver” in Microsoft Excel is used to seek the solution of optimization design. The reliability optimization model is composed of minimum weight objective function and constraint conditions such as torsional strength reliability, torsional stiffness reliability, critical speed, torsional stability, manufacturing process, etc. Design results show that the reliability optimization model with integer and variable of propeller shaft and the solving method with “Solver” in Microsoft Excel are more reliable and efficient.