Title: A co-simulation environment for high-fidelity virtual prototyping of vehicle systems

Authors: Makarand Datar; Ilinca Stanciulescu; Dan Negrut

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1513 University Ave., 2042, WI 53706, USA. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street MS-519, Houston, TX 77005, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1513 University Ave., 2042, WI 53706, USA

Abstract: Computer simulation is being increasingly used for virtual prototyping of ground vehicles ahead of building actual hardware prototypes. This paper describes a methodology to co-simulate, with high fidelity and in one computational framework, all of the main vehicle subsystems for improved engineering design. The approach leverages the capabilities of three software packages (ADAMS, PSAT, FTire) to simulate vehicle kinematics/dynamics, powertrain dynamics, and tyre-terrain contact in one unified environment. As a result, information about forces in vehicle components, driver comfort, maximum cornering speed, fuel efficiency and engine emission details can all be obtained at the same time. This data is relevant when used for comparing competing designs that draw on different values of vehicle parameters (inertia, material, suspension properties, stiffness), powertrain system settings for conventional, hybrid, or fuel cell topologies, and tyre-terrain interface parameters (road profile, tyre pressure, tread). A generic sedan and US army's high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV), both with conventional powertrain systems, are used to demonstrate the proposed simulation framework.

Keywords: co-simulation; vehicle dynamics; powertrain models; tyre models; modelling; simulation; virtual prototyping; vehicle system prototypes; vehicle subsystems; vehicle design; engineering design; vehicle kinematics; forces; vehicle components; driver comfort; cornering speed; fuel efficiency; engine emissions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2012.045308

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2012 Vol.7 No.1, pp.54 - 72

Received: 15 Jun 2010
Accepted: 31 May 2011
Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

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