Simulation of planar flexible multibody systems with clearance and lubricated revolute joints

Modeling of clearance joints plays an important role in the analysis and design of multibody mechanical systems. Based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), a new computational methodology for modeling and analysis of planar flexible multibody systems with clearance and lubricated revolute joints is presented. A planar absolute nodal coordinate formulation based on the locking-free shear deformable beam element is implemented to discretize the flexible bodies. A continuous contact-impact model is used to evaluate the contact force, in which energy dissipation in the form of hysteresis damping is considered. A force transition model from hydrodynamic lubrication forces to dry contact forces is introduced to ensure continuity in the joint reaction force. A comprehensive study with different lubrication force models has also been carried out. The generalized-α method is used to solve the equations of motion and several efficient methods are incorporated in the proposed model. Finally, the methodology is validated by two numerical examples.     

Modeling of unilateral contact conditions with application to aerospace systems involving backlash, freeplay and friction

This paper describes an analysis procedure for the modeling of backlash, freeplay and friction in flexible multibody systems. The first two effects are formulated in a general manner as unilateral contact conditions in multibody dynamics. The incorporation of the effects of friction in joint elements is also discussed, together with an effective computational strategy. These non-standard effects are formulated within the framework of finite element based multibody dynamics that allows the analysis of complex, flexible systems of arbitrary topology. The versatility and generality of the approach are demonstrated by presenting applications to aerospace systems: the flutter analysis of a wing-aileron system with freeplay, the impact of an articulated rotor blade on its doop stop during engagement operation in high wind conditions, and the dynamic response of a space antenna featuring joints with friction.     

The effect of the lubricated revolute joint parameters and hydrodynamic force models on the dynamic response of planar multibody systems

In this work a comprehensive methodology for dynamic modeling and analysis of planar multibody systems with lubricated revolute joints is presented. In general, this type of mechanical systems includes journal-bearings in which the load varies in both magnitude and direction. The fundamental issues associated with the theory of lubrication for dynamically loaded journal-bearings are revisited that allow for the evaluation of the Reynolds equation for dynamic regime. This approach permits the derivation of the suitable hydrodynamic force laws that are embedded into the dynamics of multibody systems formulation. In this work, three different hydrodynamic force models are considered, namely the Pinkus and Sternlicht approach for long journal-bearings and the Frêne et al. models for both long and short journal-bearings. Results for a planar slider?Ccrank mechanism with a lubricated revolute joint between the connecting-rod and slider are presented and utilized to discuss the assumptions and procedures adopted throughout the present study. Different test scenarios are taken into account with the purpose of performing a comparative study for quantifying the effect of the clearance size, lubricant viscosity, input crank speed and hydrodynamic force model on the dynamic response of multibody systems with lubricated revolute joints. From the global results obtained from computational simulations, it can be concluded that the clearance size, the lubricant viscosity and the operating conditions play a key role in predicting the dynamic behavior of multibody systems.     

A parametric study on the dynamic response of planar multibody systems with multiple clearance joints

A general methodology for dynamic modeling and analysis of multibody systems with multiple clearance joints is presented and discussed in this paper. The joint components that constitute a real joint are modeled as colliding bodies, being their behavior influenced by geometric and physical properties of the contacting surfaces. A continuous contact force model, based on the elastic Hertz theory together with a dissipative term, is used to evaluate the intrajoint contact forces. Furthermore, the incorporation of the friction phenomenon, based on the classical Coulomb’s friction law, is also discussed. The suitable contact-impact force models are embedded into the dynamics of multibody systems methodologies. An elementary mechanical system is used to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the presented approach, and to discuss the main assumptions and procedures adopted. Different test scenarios are considered with the purpose of performing a parametric study for quantifying the influence of the clearance size, input crank speed, and number of clearance joints on the dynamic response of multibody systems with multiple clearance joints. Additionally, the total computation time consumed in each simulation is evaluated in order to test the computational accuracy and efficiency of the presented approach. From the main results obtained in this study, it can be drawn that clearance size and the operating conditions play a crucial role in predicting accurately the dynamic responses of multibody systems.     

大型网架式可展开空间结构的非线性动力学与控制

我国航天工业迫切需要掌握可入轨后展开的大型网架式空间结构技术,以便研制口径十几米、乃至数十米的大型星载天线。该技术的主要科学基础是这类空间结构展开和服役过程的非线性动力学建模、分析和控制。本文综述了与上述科学基础相关的研究进展,提出应重点关注的三个科学问题：一是大型网架式空间结构展开过程的多柔体系统动力学,尤其是如何对微重力环境下索网的接触和缠绕、运动副内碰撞、结构展开与航天器本体间的耦合等导致的非线性动力学进行建模和分析;二是大型网架式空间结构展开锁定后服役的动力学分析,尤其是如何揭示结构柔性、众多运动副间隙、交变热载荷等因素引起的复杂非线性振动机理;三是大型网架式空间结构展开锁定后服役的动力学控制,尤其是如何在欠驱动、低能耗条件下对非线性振动和波动传播提出有效的控制方法。     

Modeling 3D revolute joint with clearance and contact stiffness

The clearances in the kinematic joints are due to deformations, wear, and manufacturing errors; the accurate modeling of these effects in multibody analysis is a complex issue but in many practical applications, it is mandatory to take into them into account in order to understand the actual behavior of mechanical systems. In this paper, the authors present a general computer-aided model of a 3D revolute joint with clearance suitable for implementation in multibody dynamic solvers. While a perfect revolute joint imposes kinematic constraints, the proposed revolute joint with clearance leads to a force constraint. The revolute joint has been modeled by introducing a nonlinear equivalent force system, which takes into account the contact elastic deformations. The model depends on the structural and geometrical properties of materials in contact that have been investigated using finite element models. The purpose is to give a general approach to study the influence of actual joints on kinematic, dynamic, and structural behavior of mechanisms. The proposed model has been applied in dynamic simulations of a spatial slider-crank mechanism.     

Modeling and analysis of sliding joints with clearances in flexible multibody systems

The modeling of the sliding joint with clearance between a flexible beam and a rigid hole is investigated in this paper. The flexible beam is discretized using the three-dimensional curved Euler–Bernoulli beam element of the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation, while the motion of the rigid hole is described by the Cartesian coordinates. Moreover, the cross sections of both the flexible beam and the rigid hole are assumed to be circular. The existing joints with clearances are mainly rigid joints with small clearances, and the contact detection algorithm adopted can solve only one pair of potential contact points within one section. In order to model the contact problem in the sliding joint with clearance, a new contact detection method based on the intersection of the rigid hole’s cross section and the flexible beam is proposed, which yields a two-dimensional contact detection problem. Based on the common-normal concept, the ellipse–circle contact detection problem within the hole’s cross section can be solved. The potential contact point on the hole’s cross section will be determined, and the closest point projection on the beam’s neutral axis can be defined further. The proposed contact detection method can deal with the sliding joint with large clearance and the multiple-point contact problem within one section. In addition, the penalty method is adopted to model the frictionless contact between the flexible beam and the rigid hole. Finally, two numerical examples about sliding joints with clearances, one with an initially curved beam under gravity and the other with a straight beam under zero gravity, are presented to demonstrate the influence of the clearance of sliding joint on the dynamic performance of flexible multibody systems.     

基于李群局部标架的多柔体系统动力学建模与计算

多柔体系统动力学主要研究由多个具有运动学约束、存在大范围相对运动的柔性部件构成的动力学系统的建模、计算和控制.多柔体系统不仅具有柔体大变形导致的几何非线性,更具有大范围刚体运动引起的几何非线性,其非线性程度远高于计算结构力学所研究的几何非线性问题.本文基于李群局部标架(local frame of Lie group, LFLG),讨论如何发展一套新的多柔体系统动力学建模和计算方法体系, 具体内容包括:基于局部标架的梁、板壳单元,适用于长时间历程计算的多柔体系统碰撞动力学积分算法,结合区域分解技术的大规模多柔体系统动力学并行求解器, 以及若干验证性算例.上述基于李群局部标架的方法体系可在计算中消除刚体运动带来的几何非线性问题,使柔体系统的广义惯性力、广义弹性力及其雅可比矩阵满足刚体运动的不变性,使多柔体系统动力学与大变形结构力学相互统一,有望推动新一代多柔体系统动力学建模和计算软件的发展.      

Modeling and simulation of planar multibody systems considering multiple revolute clearance joints

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper presents a general procedure for dynamic modeling and simulation of planar multibody systems considering multiple revolute clearance joints. The normal contact force...     

大变形柔性多体系统非线性动力学数值仿真与实验研究

提出了一种作大范围运动柔性梁的非接触动态测试技术.在基于位移的柔性多体系统几何精确建模及非线性有限元分析技术的基础上,利用EAGLE-500运动分析系统及其相应的分析软件对作大范围运动钛合金柔性梁作了实验研究,并且利用之前提出的几何精确梁理论进行数值仿真.数值仿真结果与实验结果完全吻合,验证了作者所提的几何精确梁理论及...     

Modeling joints with clearance and friction in multibody dynamic simulation of automotive differentials

Defects in kinematic joints can sometimes highly influence the simulation response of the whole multibody system within which these joints are included. For instance, the clearance, the friction, the lubrication and the flexibility affect the transient behaviour, reduce the component life and produce noise and vibration for classical joints such as prismatics, cylindrics or universal joints. In this work, a new 3D cylindrical joint model which accounts for the clearance, the misalignment and the friction is presented. This formulation has been used to represent the link between the planet gears and the planet carrier in an automotive differential model.     

Dynamic analysis of planar rigid-body mechanical systems with two-clearance revolute joints

In this paper, the behavior of planar rigid-body mechanical systems due to the dynamic interaction of multiple revolute clearance joints is numerically studied. One revolute clearance joint in a multibody mechanical system is characterized by three motions which are: the continuous contact, the free-flight, and the impact motion modes. Therefore, a mechanical system with n-number of revolute clearance joints will be characterized by 3 ⁿ motions. A slider-crank mechanism is used as a demonstrative example to study the nine simultaneous motion modes at two revolute clearance joints together with their effects on the dynamic performance of the system. The normal and the frictional forces in the revolute clearance joints are respectively modeled using the Lankarani–Nikravesh contact-force and LuGre friction models. The developed computational algorithm is implemented as a MATLAB code and is found to capture the dynamic behavior of the mechanism due to the motions in the revolute clearance joints. This study has shown that clearance joints in a multibody mechanical system have a strong dynamic interaction. The motion mode in one revolute clearance joint will determine the motion mode in the other clearance joints, and this will consequently affect the dynamic behavior of the system. Therefore, in order to capture accurately the dynamic behavior of a multi-body system, all the joints in it should be modeled as clearance joints.     

Spatial rigid-multibody systems with lubricated spherical clearance joints: modeling and simulation

The dynamic modeling and simulation of spatial rigid-multibody systems with lubricated spherical joints is the main purpose of the present work. This issue is of paramount importance in the analysis and design of realistic multibody mechanical systems undergoing spatial motion. When the spherical clearance joint is modeled as dry contact; i.e., when there is no lubricant between the mechanical elements which constitute the joint, a body-to-body (typically metal-to-metal) contact takes place. The joint reaction forces in this case are evaluated through a Hertzian-based contact law. A hysteretic damping factor is included in the dry contact force model to account for the energy dissipation during the contact process. The presence of a fluid lubricant avoids the direct metal-to-metal contact. In this situation, the squeeze film action, due to the relative approaching motion between the mechanical joint elements, is considered utilizing the lubrication theory associated with the spherical bearings. In both cases, the intra-joint reaction forces are evaluated as functions of the geometrical, kinematical, and physical characteristics of the spherical joint. These forces are then incorporated into a standard formulation of the system’s governing equations of motion as generalized external forces. A spatial four bar mechanism that includes a spherical clearance joint is considered here as an example. The computational simulations are carried out with and without the fluid lubricant, and the results are compared with those obtained when the system is modeled with perfect joints only. From the general results, it is observed that the system’s performance with lubricant effect presents fewer peaks in the kinematic and dynamic outputs, when compared with those from the dry contact joint model.     

Modeling and analysis of rigid multibody systems with driving constraints and frictional translation joints

An approach is proposed for modeling and anal- yses of rigid multibody systems with frictional translation joints and driving constraints. The geometric constraints of translational joints with small clearance are treated as bilat- eral constraints by neglecting the impact between sliders and guides. Firstly, the normal forces acting on sliders, the driv- ing constraint forces （or moments） and the constraint forces of smooth revolute joints are all described by complementary conditions. The frictional contacts are characterized by a set- valued force law of Coulomb＇s dry friction. Combined with the theory of the horizontal linear complementarity problem （HLCP）, an event-driven scheme is used to detect the transi- tions of the contact situation between sliders and guides, and the stick-slip transitions of sliders, respectively. And then, all constraint forces in the system can be computed easily. Secondly, the dynamic equations of multibody systems are written at the acceleration-force level by the Lagrange multiplier technique, and the Baumgarte stabilization method is used to reduce the constraint drift. Finally, a numerical example is given to show some non-smooth dynamical behaviors of the studied system. The obtained results validate the feasibility of algorithm and the effect of constraint stabilization.     

An approach for calculating the dynamic load of deep groove ball bearing joints in planar multibody systems

This study is focused on dynamic modeling of planar multibody systems with multiple deep groove ball bearing joints, in which the radial clearance, contact deformation, and bearing kinematics are included. By using the approach presented, the variation of the joint reaction force and the dynamic load on each ball element in bearings can be simulated. The deep groove ball bearing joints are modeled by introducing a nonlinear force system, which takes into account the contact elastic deformations between the ball elements and the raceways. The contact force is calculated by the Hertzian contact deformation theory that accounts for the geometrical and material properties of the contacting bodies. A planar slider-crank mechanism with two deep groove ball bearing joints is chosen as an example to demonstrate the application of the methodologies presented in this paper. In this model, one bearing locates at the joint between the ground and crank, while the other one locates at the joint between the crank and connecting rod. By numerical calculation, the dynamic load distribution characteristics of bearings under real mechanism movement conditions are simulated. From the results, it can be concluded that the dynamic load on each rolling element varies differently and belongs to a variable load with the change of mechanism configuration. Load characteristic analysis is the foundation of developing research on the fatigue life and reliability of bearings. This study will provide a key mechanical support for the performance evaluation, dynamic design, and geometrical parameter optimization of the joint rolling element bearings.     

柔性多体系统的计算策略

对柔性多体系统计算建模的研究现状和近期进展进行了总结. 重点讨论了柔性多体 动力学的以下内容: 柔性构件的建模, 约束建模, 求解技术, 控制策略, 耦合问 题, 设计和实验的研究. 对柔性多体系统建模的浮动坐标系,转动坐标系和惯性系 等3种坐标系的特点进行了对比. 指出了未来的研究方向, 包括柔性多体系统的新 的应用,如微观力学系统和超微观力学系统等; 提高这些模型的计算精度和效率的 技巧和策略; 以及可以用于改善柔性多体系统的工具. 本综述文章引用了877篇参 考文献.     

多柔体系统动力学建模与优化研究进展

多柔体系统是由柔性部件和运动副组成的力学系统,在航空、航天、车辆、机械与兵器等众多工程领域具有广泛的应用前景, 其典型的代表包括柔性机械臂、直升机旋翼、卫星的可展开天线、太阳帆航天器等. 近年来,随着工程技术的发展,多柔体系统动力学问题日益突出,尤其是含变长度柔性部件的多柔体系统,不仅涉及其动力学 建模与计算,还涉及其动力学优化设计. 事实上,部件柔性对多柔体系统的动力学行为影响很大,直接影响到优化结果,因此需要发展基于多柔体系统动力学的优化设计方法. 本文首先阐述了多柔体系统动力学优化的研究背景及意义,简要回顾了多柔体系统动力学建模的3类方法:浮动坐标方法、几何 精确方法和绝对节点坐标方法,并介绍了含变长度柔性部件的多柔体系统动力学建模方法. 系统概述了多柔体系统动力学响应优化、动力学特性优化和动力学灵敏度分析3个方面的研究进展,并从尺寸优化、形状优化和 拓扑优化 3 个方面综述了多柔体系统部件优化的研究进展. 本文最后提出了在多柔体系统动力学优化研究中值得关注的若干问题.      

Nonlinear formulation for flexible multibody system with large deformation

In this paper, nonlinear modeling for flexible multibody system with large deformation is investigated. Absolute nodal coordinates are employed to describe the displacement, and variational motion equations of a flexible body are derived on the basis of the geometric nonlinear theory, in which both the shear strain and the transverse normal strain are taken into account. By separating the inner and the boundary nodal coordinates, the motion equations of a flexible multibody system are assembled. The advantage of such formulation is that the constraint equations and the forward recursive equations become linear because the absolute nodal coordinates are used. A spatial double pendulum connected to the ground with a spherical joint is simulated to investigate the dynamic performance of flexible beams with large deformation. Finally, the resultant constant total energy validates the present formulation. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10472066, 10372057). The English text was polished by Yunming Chen.