Parallel optimization of design and manufacture for carbon fiber reinforced plastic oil pan based on the thickness distribution

Abstract Nowadays, lightweight is an indispensable requirement in the development of automobile industry as one of the most effective methods of energy conservation and emission reduction. In this paper, the lightweight design of oil pan was carried out by using carbon fiber reinforced plastic material instead of metal material. In particular, the influence of manufacturing process was considered in the structural design, and an integrated design method of structure and process was proposed. According to the idea of comprehensive design, structural design, and composite design were carried out in parallel. Reasonably adjusted the geometric characteristics of the oil pan, further determined the feasible laying process scheme and filling process scheme, and finally the oil pan that meets the working conditions and lightweight objectives was manufactured. The work done in this paper can provide a certain reference for the lightweight design of other automobile parts.