Numerical modeling for the frame structure of light van-type electric truck

The structural design of vehicles plays an important role in improving vehicle safety and driving performance. In this study, the frame structure of a van-type electric truck was taken as a research object. Stress, strain, and modal analyses of this frame structure were performed using Abaqus, a finite element software, to verify the rationality and safety of the structural design. The frame structure was optimized by numerical analysis. The fourth beam was moved 524 mm forward between the installation points of the power battery pack and the rear lifting lug of the front leaf spring. Results showed that the optimized frame bending, the full-load braking condition, and the full-load torsional operating condition stresses decreased by 44.499%, 23.364%, and 31.303%, respectively. The bending stiffness of an optimized frame increased by 4.026%, whereas the front and rear torsional stiffnesses increased by 4.442% and 4.092%, respectively.