Computer simulations have become very popular in the automotive industry. In order to achieve a good conformity with field test, sophisticated vehicle models are needed. A real vehicle incorporates many complex dynamic systems, such as the drive train, the steering system and the wheel/axle suspension. On closer inspection some force elements such as shock absorbers and hydro-mounts turn out to be dynamic systems too. Modern vehicle models consist of different subsystems. Then, each subsystem may be modeled differently and can be tested independently. If some subsystems are available as a set of nested models of different complexity it will be even possible to generate overall vehicle models which are well tailored to particular applications. But, the numerical solution of coupled subsystems is not straight forward. This paper shows that the overall vehicle model can be solved very effectively by suitable interfaces and an implicit integration algorithm. The presented concept is realized in the product ve-DYNA, applied worldwide by automotive companies and suppliers.
Vehicle dynamics; vehicle model; axle modeling; drive train; multibody systems
