Vehicle dynamics simulations with coupled multibody and finite element models

With the advent of multibody system simulations (MSS) programs, it has become common practice to use computer modeling to evaluate vehicle dynamics performance. This approach has proved to be very effective for predicting the handling performance of vehicles; however, it has proved less successful for predicting the vehicle response at frequencies that are of interest in ride harshness and durability applications. The lack of correlation between theory and experiment can be partially traced back to tire models that are inadequate for rough road simulation. This paper presents a comprehensive vehicle dynamics model for simulating the dynamic response of ground vehicles on rough surfaces. This approach uses a MSS program to simulate the vehicle and a nonlinear FE program for the tires. Parallel processing of the tire models improves the efficiency of the overall simulation. Applications for this technology include vehicle ride and harshness analysis and durability loads simulation. This paper describes the MSS vehicle model, the tire FE model, and the interface which transfers data between the two simulations. Simulation and experiment results for a single tire without a vehicle encountering an obstacle and for a vehicle with four tires driving across a pot hole are presented. Conclusions and opportunities for further research end the paper.     

Numerical and experimental investigation on stochastic dynamic load of a heavy duty vehicle

Numerical simulation and field test are used to investigate tire dynamic load. Based on multi-body dynamics theory, a nonlinear virtual prototype model of heavy duty vehicle (DFL1250A9) is modeled. The geometric structural parameters of the vehicle system, the nonlinear characteristics of shock absorber and leaf springs are precisely described. The dynamic model is validated by testing the data, including vertical acceleration of driver seat, front wheel, intermediate wheel and rear wheel axle head. The agreement between the response of the virtual vehicle model and the measurements on the test vehicle is satisfactory. Using the reliable model, the effects of vehicle speed, load, road surface roughness and tire stiffness on tire dynamic load and dynamic load coefficient (DLC) are discussed. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can offer efficient and realistic simulation for stochastic dynamic loads, so as to investigate vehicle road-friendliness.     

Modelling of closed-chain manipulators on an excavator vehicle

The main focus of this paper is to develop a physics-based model for a closed-chain manipulator in an excavator vehicle. The derivation of closed-chain manipulator dynamic equations with a structure similar to open-chain manipulator equations is an important research problem, particularly with reference to controller design. In this paper, an approach for deriving closed-chain manipulator equations with an open-chain structure, based on trigonometric t-formulae, is presented. Holonomic loop closure constraints are employed in order to derive the closed-chain mechanism dynamics from the reduced system dynamics. The closed-chain equations, with a structure similar to serial link equations, are presented. The model incorporates the dynamic properties of the manipulator and bucket. The dynamic model for the excavation system is validated against measured data obtained from a full-scale closed-chain excavator vehicle. A dynamic model is important for the design of control strategies for trajectory tracking, a key requirement for automating the excavation task. It is noted that even though the results presented in this paper are focused on a particular excavator vehicle, the research is generic and can be adapted to any closed-chain manipulator.     

Dynamic energy management for a novel hybrid electric system based on driving pattern recognition

This paper focuses on the dynamic energy management for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) based on driving pattern recognition. The hybrid electric system studied in this paper includes a one-way clutch, a multi-plate clutch and a planetary gear unit as the power coupling device in the architecture. The powertrain efficiency model is established by integrating the component level models for the engine, the battery and the Integrated Starter/Generator (ISG). The powertrain system efficiency has been analyzed at each operation mode, including electric driving mode, driving and charging mode, engine driving mode and hybrid driving mode. The mode switching schedule of HEV system has been designed based on static system efficiency. Adaptive control for hybrid electric vehicles under random driving cycles with battery life and fuel consumption as the main considerations has been optimized by particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). Furthermore, driving pattern recognition based on twenty typical reference cycles has been implemented using cluster analysis. Finally, the dynamic energy management strategy for the hybrid electric vehicle has been proposed based on driving pattern recognition. The simulation model of the HEV powertrain system has been established on Matlab/Simulink platform. Two energy management strategies under random driving condition have both been implemented in the study, one is knowledge-based and the other is based on driving pattern recognition. The model simulation results have validated the control strategy for the hybrid electric vehicle in this study in terms of drive pattern recognition and energy management optimization.     

随机激励下四自由度车辆-道路耦合系统动力分析

采用四自由度车辆模型,以 Gauss平稳随机过程模拟路面的不平整度,编制程序得到不同路面等级下的不平整度序列;并将车辆和道路看作一个相互作用的整体系统,建立了车辆 道路耦合系统的动力平衡方程.在对车辆施加随机激励时,为了简化分析过程,避开以往研究中使用随机振动理论求解动轮胎力的复杂性,将得到的路面不平整度序列,直接以向量的形式输入到所建立的动力平衡方程中.基于增量形式的Newmark-β法开发了一个MATLAB程序对该方程进行求解.并对所提出的理论模型进行了试验验证,证明了模型的可靠性.随后,通过一个实例,分析了车速变化、路面等级变化对车辆动荷载系数和车体垂向加速度的影响.最后,对不同路基刚度对车辆振动特性的影响规律进行了探讨.     

A Co-Simulation Approach for the 3D Dynamic Simulation of Vehicles Considering Sloshing in Cargo and Fuel Tanks

The sloshing of liquids in cargo and fuel tanks mounted on vehicles can have a significant influence on the vehicle's driving dynamics and stability. To evaluate and optimize the quality of tank designs, we propose a co-simulation approach that consists of a coupled multibody system simulation for the vehicle and a Discrete Element Method and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics simulation for the sloshing cargo. This approach is beneficial especially for the simulation of fluid cargos, as Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics does not require additional models to track and reconstruct free fluid surfaces. By means of dynamic 3D simulations of a double lane change maneuvers we compare the two different cargo models and demonstrate the viability of the co-simulation approach. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the dynamic model and motion planning for a spherical rolling robot actuated by orthogonal internal rotors

The paper deals with the dynamics of a spherical rolling robot actuated by internal rotors that are placed on orthogonal axes. The driving principle for such a robot exploits nonholonomic constraints to propel the rolling carrier. A full mathematical model as well as its reduced version are derived, and the inverse dynamics are addressed. It is shown that if the rotors are mounted on three orthogonal axes, any feasible kinematic trajectory of the rolling robot is dynamically realizable. For the case of only two rotors the conditions of controllability and dynamic realizability are established. It is shown that in moving the robot by tracing straight lines and circles in the contact plane the dynamically realizable trajectories are not represented by the circles on the sphere, which is a feature of the kinematic model of pure rolling. The implication of this fact to motion planning is explored under a case study. It is shown there that in maneuvering the robot by tracing circles on the sphere the dynamically realizable trajectories are essentially different from those resulted from kinematic models. The dynamic motion planning problem is then formulated in the optimal control settings, and properties of the optimal trajectories are illustrated under simulation.     

基于系统动力学的我国产业结构演化动力系统仿真研究

本文在对国内外产业结构演化研究成果进行认真总结和客观评价的基础上,分析了产业结构演化动力系统的构成,按照系统的组成部分进行了子系统划分,细化了各子系统的动力要素。运用系统动力学研究方法,建立产业结构演化动力系统模型,分析各个动力要素的因果关系,进行模型仿真,分析我国产业结构演化动力的作用效果。结果表明,消费支出对产业结构演化起到了正向的促进作用,而且作用力最大;政府政策中R&D支出也对产业结构演化起到了促进作用,但教育财政支出的仿真结果显示其对产业结构演化起到了负向作用;外商直接投资大体起到了促进作用但也起到了部分负作用。     

种间作用的二维非线性动力系统模型及其数值模拟试验研究

系统探讨了种间制约作用的二维非线性动力系统的机理与过程,从生物力学角度扩展了Lotka-Volterra模型,建立了包含种间作用与反作用的二维非线性自治、非自治动力系统新模型,分析了该动力系统平衡点的稳定性、周期解的存在性与稳定性,并对其动力学过程进行了数值模拟试验研究.结果表明两生物种群间作用效率的大小、作用系数与反作用系数变化的同向与异向性和作用力时变等对动力系统稳定性都有一定影响,种间作用效率变大或变小,以及作用系数与反作用系数的异向变化都导致动力系统的不稳定,致使两种生物难以生存,而相互作用力时变则对系统的稳定起促进作用.     

The effect of environmental parameters on product recovery

Economical and environmental issues are the main driving forces for the development of closed-loop supply chains. This paper examines the impact of environmental issues on long-term behaviour of a single product supply chain with product recovery. The environmental issues examined are the firm's `green image' effect on customer demand, the take back obligation imposed by legislation, and the state campaigns for proper disposal of used products. The behaviour of the system is analyzed through a dynamic simulation model based on the principles of the system dynamics (SD) methodology. This model includes all major inventories of new, used and recovered products and the flows among them. Inventory levels and flow rates are linked through differential equations. The dynamic model provides an experimental simulation tool, which can be used to evaluate the effect of environmental issues on long-term decision making in collection and remanufacturing activities and on product demand. Numerical analysis illustrates the potential uses of the methodology.     

Object-oriented modelling and simulation of a motorcycle

The design of a control oriented motorcycle model for the simulation of two-wheeled vehicles is widely recognized to be a very challenging task, as a complete analytical model is not directly available, due to its complexity and its high sensitivity to parameters' variations. Accordingly, a reliable model should be based on multibody modelling tools endowed with automated symbolic manipulation capabilities. This paper presents a simulation model for the dynamic behaviour of a motorcycle based on the object-oriented modelling paradigm developed in Modelica, within the Dymola environment. Specifically, we illustrate the modular approach to motorcycle modelling and discuss the tire-road interaction model, which is the crucial part of the proposed model. The validity of the proposed simulation model is assessed on real data, measured on an instrumented test vehicle. Further, to perform the verification phase a virtual driver model has been implemented, which allows to track both a roll angle and a target speed profile during different maneuvers. In particular, the behaviour of the driver is modelled as an inverse pendulum, with a rotational degree of freedom along the forward axis. This allows accounting for the driver lean angle, which is necessary to fully capture the real driving behaviour and its effects on the overall vehicle dynamics.     

高速公路行车时间估计和最优路径

行车时间估计和最优路径选择是智能交通系统中的研究热点,特别是对于车辆导航系统更具有深远的意义.首先以传统的交通流理论为基础,采用间接模型和动力学模型进行行车时间估计,通过仿真实验比较了两模型的优劣,并使用实测数据分析得到的车流量信息对动力学模型进行改进.然后使用Dijkstra算法寻找出静态状态下的最优路径,再结合前面建立的时间估计模型,给出了适用于动态随机状态下的路径寻优算法,用于解决路段行车时间期望随出发时刻动态变化的问题.最后指出了交通实时信息对解决动态随机最优路线问题的重要性,并结合卡尔曼滤波算法对路段相关的情况作了进一步讨论.     

Fuzzy-hybrid modelling of an Ackerman steered electric vehicle

Physical system modelling with known parameters together with 2-D or high order look-up tables (obtained from experimental data), have been the preferred method for simulating electric vehicles. The non-linear phenomena which are present at the vehicle tyre patch and ground interface have resulted in a quantitative understanding of this phenomena. However, nowadays, there is a requirement for a deeper understanding of the vehicle sub-models which previously used look-up tables. In this paper the hybrid modelling methodology used for electric vehicle systems offers a two-stage advantage: firstly, the vehicle model retains a comprehensive analytical formulation and secondly, the ‘fuzzy’ element offers, in addition to the quantitative results, a qualitative understanding of specific vehicle sub-models. In the literature several hybrid topologies are reported, sequential, auxiliary, and embedded.In this paper, the hybrid model topology selected is auxiliary and within the same hybrid model, the first paradigm used is the vehicle dynamics together with the actuator/gearbox system. The second paradigm is the non-linear fuzzy tyre model for each wheel. In particular, conventional physical system dynamic modelling has been combined with the fuzzy logic type-II or type-III methodology. The resulting hybrid-fuzzy tyre models were estimated for a-priori number of rules from experimental data. The physical system modelling required the available vehicle parameters such as the overall mass, wheel radius and chassis dimensions. The suggested synergetic fusion of the two methods, (hybrid-fuzzy), allowed the vehicle planar trajectories to be obtained prior to the hardware development of the entire vehicle. The strength of this methodology is that it requires localised system experimental data rather than global system data. The disadvantage in obtaining global experimental data is the requirement for comprehensive testing of a vehicle prototype which is both time consuming process and requires extensive resources. In this paper the authors have proposed the use of existing experimental rigs which are available from the leading automotive manufacturers. Hence, for the ‘hybrid’ modelling, localised data sets were used. In particular, wheel-tyre experimental data were obtained from the University tyre rig experimental facilities. Tyre forces acting on the tyre patch are mainly responsible for the overall electric vehicle motion. In addition, tyre measurement rigs are a well known method for obtaining localised data thus allowing the effective simulation of more detailed mathematical models. These include, firstly, physical system modelling (conventional vehicle dynamics), secondly, fuzzy type II or III modelling (for the tyre characteristics), and thirdly, electric drive modelling within the context of electric vehicles. The proposed hybrid model synthesis has resulted in simulation results which are similar to piece-wise ‘look-up’ table solutions. In addition, the strength of the ‘hybrid’ synthesis is that the analyst has a set of rules which clearly show the reasoning behind the complex development of the vehicle tyre forces. This is due to the inherent transparency of the type II and type III methodologies. Finally, the authors discussed the reasons for selecting a type-III framework. The paper concludes with a plethora of simulation results.     

A probabilistic model for track random irregularities in vehicle/track coupled dynamics

Track irregularities generally viewed as weak stationary random processes are perhaps the most important excitations to the vehicle/track coupled system. To better clarify the random vibration characteristics and probabilistic relationships between track random irregularities and dynamic behaviors of vehicle/track systems, it is a necessity to consider the full properties of track irregularities on amplitude, frequency and probability in vehicle/track interactions. The purpose of this paper is to develop a probabilistic model to select representative and realistic track irregularity sets from numerous data with higher efficiency and accuracy. To establish the vehicle/track interaction model, the finite element method and vehicle/track coupled dynamics are adopted and effectively combined, which can be used to reveal the interaction mechanisms between the moving vehicles and the guiding tracks. Moreover, the probabilistic transmission relationships between track irregularities and system responses are addressed by introducing a probability density evolution method. Through detailed comparisons with the experimental measurements and other advanced models, this proposed model is proved to be fairly effective and highly efficient.     

A Holistic Simulation Approach from a Measured Load to Element Stress Using Combined Multi-body Simulation and Finite Element Modelling

The design of vehicle bodies requires the knowledge of the vehicle's structural response to external loads and disturbances. In rigid multi-body simulation the dynamic behaviour of complex systems is calculated with rigid bodies and neglect of body elasticity. On the other hand, in finite element models large degree of freedom numbers are used to represent the elastic properties of a single body. Both simulation methods can be combined, if the finite element model size is reduced to a degree of freedom number feasible to multi-body simulation. The application to practical purposes requires the use and interconnection of several different software tools. In this contribution a holistic method is presented, which starts with the measurement or synthesis of loads and excitations, continues with the integration of a reduced finite element model into a multi-body system, the dynamic response calculation of this combined model, and concludes with the result expansion to the full finite element model for calculating strain and stress values at any point of the finite element mesh. The applied software tools are Simpack, Nastran, and Matlab. An example is given with a railway vehicle simulated on measured track geometry. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A novel dynamics model for railway ballastless track with medium-thick slabs

Motivated by the requirements for elaborated slab ballastless track dynamics analysis in practical engineering application, a novel dynamic model for the railway ballastless tracks with medium-thick slabs is proposed in this work based on the Reissner–Mindlin plate theory, and it is implemented into the coupled dynamics analysis of a vehicle and the ballastless track. First, an efficient and easily programmable computational algorithm is adopted to solve the transverse deflection of the Reissner–Mindlin plate, in which the displacements and shear strains are chosen as the independent variables and subsequently constructed by spline functions, resulting in no shear-locking effect. The involved partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary ones by using the energy variation principle. Further, a mathematical model for the ballastless track dynamics analysis is established, which can consider the effects of the shear deformation and moment of inertia involved in the medium-thick track slab. Experimental verification and comparative analysis with other models demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model. Finally, a spatially coupled dynamics model of a vehicle and the ballastless track is developed, and it is efficiently solved by using the hybrid explicit-implicit time integration method. Compared with the widely used modelling the track slab by elastic thin plate, the reliability and advantages of the proposed vehicle-slab track coupled dynamics model are demonstrated.     

Simulation and experimental validation of the dynamic behavior of an electromechanically actuated multiple‐disk clutch

Automated multiple‐disk clutches in automotive drivelines are at present hydraulically or electrohydraulically actuated. The electromechanical clutch actuation represents an alternative. The subject of the investigation is a functional model of an electromechanical clutch actuator which consists of a servo motor, a reduction gear and a mechanism for the realization of the force acting on the disks. For the simulation of the dynamic behavior of the electromechanically actuated multiple‐disk clutch a detailed multibody model is developed which includes models of the electromechanical actuator and the wet multiple‐disk clutch. The multiple‐disk clutch is described by coupled partial models for the rotational and translational dynamics. The coupling parameters are the relative disk distances and the forces between the disks. The results of test bench measurements are compared to simulation results. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

一种基于双链量子编码的动态车辆路径问题解决策略

针对配送调度事件动态变化的动态车辆路径问题(DVRP), 以最小化运输成本、最小化配送时间 与最大化载货率为目标, 建立了问题的数学模型,提出了改进的多相量子粒子群算法. 针对DVRP问题的特点,提出基于车辆链和货物链的双链量子编码方法; 同时设计了基于周期和 重调度因子驱动的动态调度策略. 最后将方法应用于动态仿真算例, 并与其他经典算法比较, 结果验证了所提出方法的有效性.     

Simplified modelling of joints and beam-like structures for BIW optimization in a concept phase of the vehicle design process

The paper proposes an engineering approach for the replacement of beam-like structures and joints in a vehicle model. The final goal is to provide the designer with an effective methodology for creating a concept model of such automotive components, so that an NVH optimization of the body in white (BIW) can be performed at the earliest phases of the vehicle design process. The proposed replacement methodology is based on the reduced beam and joint modelling approach, which involves a geometric analysis of beam-member cross-sections and a static analysis of joints. The first analysis aims at identifying the beam center nodes and computing the equivalent beam properties. The second analysis produces a simplified model of a joint that connects three or more beam-members through a static reduction of the detailed joint FE model.In order to validate the proposed approach, an industrial case-study is presented, where beams and joints of the upper region of a vehicle's BIW are replaced by simplified models. Two static load-cases are defined to compare the original and the simplified model by evaluating the stiffness of the full vehicle under torsion and bending in accordance with the standards used by automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) companies. A dynamic comparison between the two models, based on global frequencies and modal shapes of the full vehicle, is presented as well.     

Dynamics of Narrow Tilting Vehicles

Narrow commuter vehicles can address many congestion, parking and pollution issues associated with urban transportation. In making narrow vehicles safe, comfortable and acceptable to the public, active tilt control systems are likely to play a crucial role. This paper concentrates on developing a dynamic model for narrow vehicles that can be used for the design and evaluation of active tilt control systems. The model has four degrees of freedom including lateral and tilt dynamics. The influence of gyroscopic forces due to rotating wheels and the influence of front wheel trail are included but secondary coupling effects are ignored so as to keep the model tractable. The model is used in this paper to understand the influence of vehicle tilt on the steering angle required for cornering, the desired tilt angle for any specified cornering maneuver and the influence of gyroscopic moments on transient tilting/cornering maneuvers. A study of the model equations also provides insight into how narrow vehicles can be designed so as to be self-stabilizing.