Management of Modal Shapes and Participation Factor of a Leaf Spring Exploiting Parameters of Voronoi Tessellation

This paper explores the influence of Voronoi tessellation parameters on the dynamic behavior of a mechanical tensioner's leaf spring used in internal combustion engines. By integrating Voronoi tessellation with Additive Manufacturing, the research investigates how varying the number of seeds affects the modal frequencies of the leaf spring. The study employs a design algorithm to maintain constant mass while adjusting the number of seeds and scaling factor, using a finite element (FE) formulation to predict and manage the leaf spring's dynamic nonlinear characteristics based on mass distribution. Modal simulations extract the natural frequencies, modal shapes, and participation factors of the component, analyzing how changes in these factors impact performance. The research findings underscore the significance of Voronoi parameters in modifying natural frequencies and dynamic behavior, highlighting their potential for topology optimization in frequency-sensitive applications. Validation comes through experimental testing, confirming the simulation results and emphasizing the role of appropriate mass distribution in controlling system frequencies. This study opens avenues for further exploration in topology optimization, focusing on dynamic systems management through Voronoi tessellation.