Topological Optimization of Swing Arm for Electric Motorcycles

Pollution is one of the causes of global warming, due to the use of fossil fuels, and far from decreasing, it is increasing. This situation forces us to look for new ways to improve the efficiency and safety of alternative vehicles such as electric vehicles. For this reason, the present research seeks to develop a topological study using finite element analysis in the parametric design of a swing arm of an electric motorcycle, to improve the stiffness-to-weight ratio of the mentioned element. The study uses a standard swing arm from an internal combustion motorcycle, which is characterized in CAD CAE software using the reverse engineering tool and subjected to finite element analysis and topological optimization with the operating parameters of an electric motorcycle. The result is a new swingarm design with 25% less weight but with greater rigidity due to the use of AA7075 T6 material. In addition to this, the safety factor is improved in all conditions to which the swingarm was subjected going from 3 to 4,22 in static load.