DYNAMIC STRUCTURAL RESPONSE OF AUTOMOTIVE HEADLAMPS

The evolution of automotive lighting technology has led to the development of advanced headlamp assemblies that integrate multiple functionalities, such as main beams, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and turn indicators, into compact units. This thesis investigates the modal behavior of automotive headlamps, focusing on the impact of temperature-dependent material properties. The study employs both commercial finite element software and the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) to perform comprehensive analyses at three different temperatures. Initially, modal analyses are conducted using commercial software to establish a baseline understanding of the headlamp's dynamic behavior. Subsequently, a detailed CUF-based model is developed to replicate these analyses, ensuring accurate representation of complex geometries and multi-material compositions. The CUF approach allows for a refined analysis of temperature effects on the vibrational characteristics of materials such as PMMA, PC, PC+ABS, and FR4. Comparative results highlight the differences in accuracy and computational efficiency between CUF and traditional methods, demonstrating CUF's capability to capture intricate vibrational responses under varying thermal conditions. This research contributes to optimizing headlamp designs by leveraging CUF's advanced modeling capabilities, offering recommendations for improved vibration resistance and thermal management. The study underscores the importance of integrating temperature-dependent analyses in the design process to ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency in modern automotive lighting systems.