In this study, a shape optimization of vibration isolation rubber was performed to improve its performance to reduce vibration of the tractor cabin transmitted from the tractor body. Sets of sophisticated mechanical tests were perfomed to obtain the h...
In this study, a shape optimization of vibration isolation rubber was performed to improve its performance to reduce vibration of the tractor cabin transmitted from the tractor body. Sets of sophisticated mechanical tests were perfomed to obtain the hyperelastic material model of rubber, which was utilized in the finite element analyses. To check the validity of the material model of rubber, the results of finite element analyses were analyzed and compared against the test results. To quantify the input vibration transmitted from the tractor body to the cabin frame, field tests were performed and harmonic analyses of cabin were conducted based on the data obtained during the tests. In the comparison of simulation results with the test data, it was shown that the numerical analyses successfully simulate the vibration response of cabin frame with good accuracy. It was found that the performance of vibration isolation rubber is improved as the stiffness of the rubber decreases. Thus, a shape optimization using the Taguchi's parameter design method is conducted to minimize the stiffness of vibration isolation rubber. The height of vibration isolation rubber, size and location of additional holes in the rubber were considered as design variables. Through this parameter design, the vibration of cabin frame decreases more than 30% compared to the original design.