Optimization of Vehicle Suspension Systems for Improved Comfort of Road Vehicles Using Flexible Multibody Dynamics

Methods that account for the flexibility of multibody systems extend the range of applications to areas such as flexible robots, precision machinery, vehicle dynamics or space satellites. The method proposed here for flexible multibody models allows for the representation of complex-shaped bodies using general finite-element discretizations which deform during the dynamic loading of the system, while the gross rigid body motion of these bodies is still captured using fixed-body coordinate frames. Components of the system for which the deformations are relatively unimportant are represented with rigid bodies. This method is applied to a road vehicle where flexibility plays an important role in its ride and handling dynamic behavior. Therefore, for the study of the limit behavior of the vehicles, the use of flexible multibody models is of high importance. The design process of these vehicles, very often based on intuition and experience, can be greatly enhanced through the use of generalized optimization techniques concurrently with multibody codes. The use of sparse matrix system solvers and modal superposition, to reduce the number of flexible coordinates, in a computer simulation, assures a fast and reliable analysis tool for the optimization process. The optimum design of the vehicle is achieved through the use of an optimization algorithm with finite-differencesensitivities, where the characteristics of the vehicle components are the design variables on which appropriate constraints are imposed. The ride optimization is achieved by finding the optimum of a ride index that results from a metric that accounts for the acceleration in several key points in the vehicle properly weighted in face of their importance for the comfort of the occupant. Simulations with different road profiles are performed for different speeds to account for diverse ride situations. The results are presented and discussed in view of the different methods usedwith emphasis on models and algorithms.     

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,...     

Control structure interaction in the nonlinear analysis of flexible mechanical systems

The effect of the control structure interaction on the feedforward control law as well as the dynamics of flexible mechanical systems is examined in this investigation. An inverse dynamics procedure is developed for the analysis of the dynamic motion of interconnected rigid and flexible bodies. This method is used to examine the effect of the elastic deformation on the driving forces in flexible mechanical systems. The driving forces are expressed in terms of the specified motion trajectories and the deformations of the elastic members. The system equations of motion are formulated using Lagrange's equation. A finite element discretization of the flexible bodies is used to define the deformation degrees of freedom. The algebraic constraint equations that describe the motion trajectories and joint constraints between adjacent bodies are adjoined to the system differential equations of motion using the vector of Lagrange multipliers. A unique displacement field is then identified by imposing an appropriate set of reference conditions. The effect of the nonlinear centrifugal and Coriolis forces that depend on the body displacements and velocities are taken into consideration. A direct numerical integration method coupled with a Newton-Raphson algorithm is used to solve the resulting nonlinear differential and algebraic equations of motion. The formulation obtained for the flexible mechanical system is compared with the rigid body dynamic formulation. The effect of the sampling time, number of vibration modes, the viscous damping, and the selection of the constrained modes are examined. The results presented in this numerical study demonstrate that the use of the driving forees obtained using the rigid body analysis can lead to a significant error when these forces are used as the feedforward control law for the flexible mechanical system. The analysis presented in this investigation differs significantly from previously published work in many ways. It includes the effect of the structural flexibility on the centrifugal and Coriolis forces, it accounts for all inertia nonlinearities resulting from the coupling between the rigid body and elastic displacements, it uses a precise definition of the equipollent systems of forces in flexible body dynamics, it demonstrates the use of general purpose multibody computer codes in the feedforward control of flexible mechanical systems, and it demonstrates numerically the effect of the selected set of constrained modes on the feedforward control law.     

A Variational Approach to Dynamics of Flexible Multibody Systems

Abstract

This paper presents a variational formulation of constrained dynamics of flexible multibody systems, using a vector-variational calculus approach. Body reference frames are used to define global position and orientation of individual bodies in the system, located and oriented by position of its origin and Euler parameters, respectively. Small strain linear elastic deformation of individual components, relative to their body reference frames, is defined by linear combinations of deformation modes that are induced by constraint reaction forces and normal modes of vibration. A library of kinematic couplings between flexible and/or rigid bodies is defined and analyzed. Variational equations of motion for multibody systems are obtained and reduced to mixed differential-algebraic equations of motion. A space structure that must deform during deployment is analyzed, to illustrate use of the methods developed     

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.     

Ride comfort evaluation for road vehicle based on rigid-flexible coupling multibody dynamics

In the present research two different whole vehicle multibody models are established respectively, including rigid and rigid-flexible coupling multibody vehicle models. The former is all composed by rigid bodies while in the later model, the flexible rear suspension is built based on the finite element method (FEM) and mode superposition method, in which the deformations of the components are considered. The ride simulations with different speeds are carried out on a 3D digitalized road, and the weighted root mean square (RMS) of accelerations on the seat surface, backrest and at the feet are calculated. The comparison between the responses of the rigid and rigid-flexible coupling multibody models shows that the flexibility of the vehicle parts significantly affects the accelerations at each position, and it is necessary to take the flexibility effects into account for the assessment of ride comfort.     

Dynamic simulation of liquid-filled flexible multibody systems via absolute nodal coordinate formulation and SPH method

A new computation method is proposed to study the coupled dynamics of a partially liquid-filled flexible multibody system, where the liquid is modeled by using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method and the flexible bodies are described by using the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF). Extra virtual particles are introduced and embedded in the liquid neighboring the rigid or flexible boundaries in order to prevent field particles from penetrating the boundary and force them to follow the deformation of flexible boundary. The interaction forces between the liquid and the flexible multibody system are transmitted by the virtual particles. The domain decomposition is used to improve the efficiency of interaction detection in SPH computation. A predictor-corrector scheme is used to solve the governing equations of liquid discretized by SPH particles. The generalized-alpha method based on sparse matrix storage skill is used to solve a huge set of dynamic equations of the multibody system. The OpenMP+OpenACC based parallel computation skills are embedded in the iteration processes to speed up the computation efficiency. Finally, three numerical examples are given to validate the proposed computation method.     

Dynamics of flexible mechanical systems with contact-impact and plastic deformations

A computer based formulation for the analysis of mechanical systems is investigated as a feasible method to predict the impact response of complex structural systems. A general methodology for the dynamic analysis of rigid-flexible multibody systems using a number of redundant Cartesian coordinates and the method of the Lagrange multipliers is presented. The component mode synthesis is then used to reduce the number of flexible degrees of freedom. In many impact situations, the individual structural members are overloaded giving rise to plastic deformations in highly localized regions, called plastic hinges. This concept is used by associating revolute nonlinear actuators with constitutive relations corresponding to the collapse behavior of the structural components. The contact of the system components is described using a continuous force model based on the Hertz contact law with hysteresis damping. The effect and importance of structural damping schemes in flexible bodies are also addressed here. Finally, the validity of this methodology is assessed by comparing the results of the proposed models with those obtained in different experimental tests where: a beam collides transversally with a rigid block; a torque box impacts a rigid barrier.     

Finite element modeling of contact conditions in multibody system dynamics

In this paper a new method is developed for the dynamic analysis of contact conditions in flexible multibody systems undergoing a rolling type of motion. The relative motion between the two contacting bodies is treated as a constraint condition describing their kinematic and geometric relations. Equations of motion of the system are presented in a matrix form making use of Kane's equations and finite element method. The method developed has been implemented in a general purpose program called DARS and applied to the simulation and analysis of a rotating wheel on a track. Both the bodies are assumed flexible and discretized using a three dimensional 8-noded isoparametric elements. The time variant constraint conditions are imposed on the nodal points located at the peripheral surfaces of the bodies under consideration. The simulation is carried out under two different boundary conditions describing the support of the track. The subsequent constraint forces associated with the generalized coordinates of the system are computed and plotted. The effects of friction are also discussed.     

Symbolic computations in flexible multibody systems

The need for computer aided engineering in the analysis of machines and mechanisms led to a wide variety of general purpose programs for the dynamical analysis of multibody systems. The use of more lightweight structures and an increasing demand of high-precision mechanisms, such as robots, led to the incorporation of flexible bodies in this methodology. This paper presents a formalism for flexible multibody systems based on a minimum set of generalized coordinates and symbolic computation. A standardized object oriented data model is used for the time-invariant system matrices describing the elastodynamic behaviour of the flexible bodies. Consequently, the equations of motion are derived in a form independent of the chosen modelling technique for the elastic bodies. They are generated in a symbolic form using the symbolic formalismNEWEUL and the computer algebra systemMAPLE. Two examples, a rotating beam and a flexible robot, are presented in this paper in order to demonstrate the formalism.     

含摩擦与碰撞平面多刚体系统动力学线性互补算法

基于接触力学理论和线性互补问题的算法, 给出了一种含接触、碰撞以及库伦干摩擦, 同时具有理想定常约束(铰链约束) 和非定常约束(驱动约束) 的平面多刚体系统动力学的建模与数值计算方法. 将系统中的每个物体视为刚体, 但考虑物体接触点的局部变形, 将物体间的法向接触力表示成嵌入量与嵌入速度的非线性函数,其切向摩擦力采用库伦干摩擦模型. 利用摩擦余量和接触点的切向加速度等概念, 给出了摩擦定律的互补关系式; 并利用事件驱动法, 将接触点的黏滞-滑移状态切换的判断及黏滞状态下摩擦力的计算问题转化成线性互补问题的求解. 利用第一类拉格朗日方程和鲍姆加藤约束稳定化方法建立了系统的动力学方程, 由此可降低约束的漂移, 并可求解该系统的运动、法向接触力和切向摩擦力, 还可以求解理想铰链约束力和驱动约束力. 最后以一个类似夯机的平面多刚体系统为例, 分析了其动力学特性, 并说明了相关算法的有效性.      

Modal Representation of Stress in Flexible Multibody Simulation

An application of the floating frame of reference formulation together with the nodal approach using quasi-comparison functions as shape functions allows an efficient analysis of stress in the flexible bodies of a multibody system. This is demonstrated using two simple examples. They are chosen to demonstrate the effects of various choices of shape functions and associated body reference frames. In the floating frame of reference formulation the equations of motion are linearized assuming the deformations to be small. The quasi-comparison functions, i.e. shape functions, can be selected in ways to increase the range of validity of the linearized equations of motion. The latter goal is achieved as well by so-called substructuring techniques. Combining both of the methodologies, one obtains efficient models for flexible multibody simulation.     

An Internal Damping Model for the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation

Introducing internal damping in multibody system simulations is important as real-life systems usually exhibit this type of energy dissipation mechanism. When using an inertial coordinate method such as the absolute nodal coordinate formulation, damping forces must be carefully formulated in order not to damp rigid body motion, as both this and deformation are described by the same set of absolute nodal coordinates. This paper presents an internal damping model based on linear viscoelasticity for the absolute nodal coordinate formulation. A practical procedure for estimating the parameters that govern the dissipation of energy is proposed. The absence of energy dissipation under rigid body motion is demonstrated both analytically and numerically. Geometric nonlinearity is accounted for as deformations and deformation rates are evaluated by using the Green–Lagrange strain–displacement relationship. In addition, the resulting damping forces are functions of some constant matrices that can be calculated in advance, thereby avoiding the integration over the element volume each time the damping force vector is evaluated.     

Lubricated revolute joints in rigid multibody systems

The main purpose of this work is to present a general methodology for modeling lubricated revolute joints in constrained rigid multibody systems. In the dynamic analysis of journal-bearings, the hydrodynamic forces, which include both squeeze and wedge effects, generated by the lubricant fluid, oppose the journal motion. The hydrodynamic forces are obtained by integrating the pressure distribution evaluated with the aid of Reynolds’ equation, written for the dynamic regime. The hydrodynamic forces built up by the lubricant fluid are evaluated from the system state variables and included into the equations of motion of the multibody system. Numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the methodologies and procedures described in this work.     

Continuous contact force models for impact analysis in multibody systems

One method for predicting the impact response of a multibody system is based on the assumption that the impacting bodies undergo local deformations and the contact forces are continuous. In a continuous analysis, the integration of the system equations of motion is carried out during the period of contact; therefore, a model for evaluating the contact forces is required. In this paper, two such contact force models are presented, both Hertzian in nature and based upon the direct-central impact of two solid particles.At low impact velocities, the energy dissipation during impact can be represented by material damping. A model is constructed based on the general trend of the Hertz contact law in conjuction with a hysteresis damping function. The unknown parameters are determined in terms of a given coefficient of restitution and the impact velocity. When local plasticity effects are the dominant factor accounting for the dissipation of energy at high impact velocities, a Hertzian contact force model with permanent indentation is constructed. Utilizing energy and momentum considerations, the unknown parameters in the model are again evaluated. The two particle models are generalized to an impact analysis between two bodies of a multibody system.     

Simulation of spatial multibody systems with friction

A formulation for modeling and simulation of friction effects in spatial multibody systems is presented. Constraint reaction forces on rigid bodies that are connected by joints that support friction are derived as functions of Lagrange multipliers, using D’Alembert’s principle. Friction forces acting on bodies are calculated as a function of joint geometry, constraint reaction forces that are functions of Lagrange multipliers, and relative velocities at constraint contact points that are determined by system kinematics. Friction forces are implemented in index 0 differential-algebraic equations of motion that are solved numerically using explicit and implicit numerical integration methods. Spatial examples are presented, yielding accurate results and demonstrating that the systems are not stiff, even in the presence of friction and stiction.     

链状柔性多体机器人系统动力学研究

本文基于Ｊｏｕｒｄａｉｎ变分原理建立了具有链状拓扑结构柔性多体机器人系统动力学通用模型，用在一致质量有限单元法及正则模态分析基础上引入的模态坐标描述构件的弹性形，用独立坐标描述相邻板件间的大位移运动，每个铰容许１－６个自由度，组强非线性惯性耦合的封闭形式的系统动力学微分方程组，文末对单弹性臂和双弹性臂机器人操作手进行动力学仿真。