Abstract:
This study was motivated by the need for numerical analysis of crankshaft used on
TVS Deluxe Auto-Rickshaw (Pragya)to determine the structural deformation it goes
through under load. A crankshaft can be called the heart of every internal combustion
engine because of the vital role it places in an engine. The main function of the
crankshaft is to convert the reciprocating motion of the connecting rod into rotary
motion of the flywheel. The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the
possibility of using structural steel to model a TVSDeluxe Auto-Rickshaw(Pragya)
crankshaft for weight optimisation whiles maintaining strength of the crankshaft. The
crankshaft was modelled using Autodesk inventor 2017 software based on computed
dimensions. The modelled crankshaft was imported onto the ANSYS Workbench
observing boundary conditions. Static structural and modal analysis was performed
on the crankshaft using both the control and implementing materialsto ascertain the
suitability or otherwise of the implementing material. The result showed that, the
weights of crankshafts made of the controlled materials (mild steel and forged steel)
were the same, while the weight of the implementing material (structural steel) was
82.6g less than that of the controlled materials. Structural steel can be considered as
one of the materials for TVS king tricycle (Pragya) crankshaft. Numerical results
showed that structural steel can withstand the induced stresses and was also lighter in
weight as compared to the controlled materials. Therefore, it is recommended that
structural steel must be used as one of the materials for TVS king tricycle (Pragya)
crankshaft. Simulated results showed that it can withstand the induced stresses, and
also lighter in weight as compared to the control materials
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of Mechanical and Automotive Technology
Education, Faculty of Technology Education, Submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies,University of Education, Winneba in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy (Automotive Engineering
Technology) degree