Fatigue Life Modelling of Steel Suspension Coil Springs Based on Wavelet Vibration Features Using Neuro-Fuzzy Methods

Abstract

This study proposed wavelet-based approaches to characterise random vibration road excitations for durability prediction of coil springs. Conventional strain-life approaches require long computational time, while the accuracy of the vibration fatigue methods is unsatisfactory. It is therefore a necessity to establish an accurate fatigue life prediction model based on vibrational features. Wavelet-based methods were applied to determine the low-frequency energy and multifractality of road excitations. Strain-life models were applied for fatigue life evaluation from strain histories. ANFIS modelling was subsequently adopted to associate the vibration features with the fatigue life of coil springs. Results showed that the proposed wavelet-based methods were effective to determine the signal energy and multifractality of vibration signals. The established vibration-based models showed good fatigue life conservativity with a data survivability of more than 90%. The highest Pearson coefficient of 0.955 associated with the lowest RMSE of 0.660 was obtained by the Morrow-based model. It is suggested that the low-frequency energy and multifractality of the vibration signals can be used as fatigue-related features in life predictions of coil springs under random loading. Finally, the proposed model is an acceptable fatigue life prediction method based on vibration features, and it can reduce the dependency on strain data measurement.

Effective Computational Model for Determining the Geometry of the Transition Zone of End Coils of Machined Springs, Enabling Efficient Use of the Spring Material

“…Coil springs are the most commonly used spring link in mechanical engineering. They are an essential element in the suspension of rail vehicles, motor vehicles, support systems for vibrating machinery, and are found in position-change mechanisms, return-locking mechanisms, valves, mechanical seals, and many other applications [1][2][3][4]. In systems with high-cycle alternating loads, compression springs are used, while tension springs are avoided.…”