Vehicle Body
The model is a two-axle vehicle travelling in a longitudinal direction.
blockType: Engee1DMechanical.Vehicles.Body
Path in the library:
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Description
Block Vehicle Body Represents the two-axle body of a vehicle in longitudinal motion. The vehicle may have the same or different number of wheels on each axle. For example, two wheels on the front axle and one wheel on the rear axle. It is assumed that the wheels of the vehicle are the same size. The centre of mass (CG) of the vehicle may be at or below the level of the plane of travel.
The unit takes into account vehicle mass, aerodynamic drag, road inclination and weight distribution between axles as a function of acceleration and road profile. Optionally, the vehicle pitch turn can be taken into account and suspension dynamics can be calculated. The vehicle does not move vertically relative to the ground.
The unit may include an external mass and an external inertia. The mass, inertia and centre of mass of the vehicle body may change during the simulation in response to changes in the system.
Model
The axes of the vehicle are parallel and form a plane. The longitudinal direction, , lies in this plane and is perpendicular to the axles. If the vehicle is travelling on an inclined plane with a slope , the normal direction, , is not parallel to gravity but is always perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the vehicle axles.
The figure shows the variables of the vehicle motion model.
Variables that define the movement of the vehicle:
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- parameter value Gravitational acceleration;
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- road slope angle, value at port β;
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- vehicle mass, determined from the parameters Mass and from the value at port M, if used;
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- height of the vehicle centre of mass above the ground;
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- the distance to the front and rear axles respectively from the point of normal projection of the vehicle centre of mass onto the common plane of the axles;
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- the speed of the vehicle. When , the vehicle is travelling forwards. When , the vehicle is travelling backwards;
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- wind speed. When , the wind is oncoming. When , the wind is crosswind;
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- parameter value Number of wheels per axle. You can use an integer or a two-element vector, where the elements represent the front and rear axes, respectively;
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- the longitudinal forces on each wheel at the front and rear ground contact points, respectively;
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- normal load forces on each wheel at the front and rear ground contact points, respectively;
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- midship area;
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- aerodynamic drag coefficient;
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- mass density of air;
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- aerodynamic drag force.
Equations
Vehicle Dynamics
The motion of a vehicle is the result of all forces and torques acting on it. The longitudinal forces of the tyres push the vehicle forwards or backwards. The gravity force of the vehicle acts through its centre of mass. Depending on the angle of inclination, gravity pulls the vehicle towards the ground and the vehicle drives forwards or backwards under its influence. Whether the vehicle is travelling forwards or backwards, aerodynamic drag slows the vehicle down. For simplicity, it is assumed that the point of application of the aerodynamic drag force coincides with the centre of mass.
Zero normal acceleration and zero torque determine the normal force at each front and rear wheel.
The normal forces of the wheels fulfil the requirements:
If an externally given mass or inertia is included in the equation, the associated parameters in the equations change by the amount of the input.
Pitch body tilt dynamics.
The angular acceleration of body roll in the pitch plane depends on the three components of torque and vehicle inertia:
where
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- is the angular acceleration at pitch rotation;
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- longitudinal force;
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- height of the centre of mass measured parallel to the axis ;
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- inertia.
If a linear model for suspension stiffness and damping is selected, the block uses an approximation with the assumption of small angles for pitch angle calculations. If a tabulated model is selected, the block uses the specified vectors to calculate the pitch plane dynamics. For the rigid limiter equations, see Translational Hard Stop.
Limitations and assumptions
The block Vehicle Body only allows modelling of longitudinal dynamics parallel to the ground and oriented along the direction of travel. The vehicle is assumed to be in equilibrium along the longitudinal and normal axis. The unit does not model roll or vertical motion. Therefore, the equations assume that the wheels never lose contact. This limitation can result in negative normal forces.
Ports
Conserving
#
H
—
horizontal movement
`translational mechanics'
Details
A mechanical non-directional port associated with the horizontal movement of the vehicle body. Connect tyre traction to this port.
| Program usage name |
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Output
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V
—
longitudinal velocity, m/s
scalar
Details
The longitudinal velocity of the vehicle in the associated coordinate system, in m/s.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
NR
—
normal force on the rear axle, N
scalar
Details
Normal force on the rear axle, in N. Wheel forces are considered positive when acting downwards.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
NF
—
normal force on the front axle, N
scalar
Details
Normal force on the front axle, in N. The forces on the wheels are considered positive if they act downwards.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
Input
#
W
—
headwind speed, m/s
scalar
Details
Speed of the headwind, in m/s.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
β
—
is the road slope angle, rad.
scalar
Details
the angle of inclination of the road, in rad.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
CGX
—
position of the centre of mass along the x axis, m
scalar
Details
Position of the centre of mass of an external defined mass relative to the centre of mass of the vehicle body in the x axis, in m.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, select the check box. Externally-defined additional mass.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
CGY
—
position of the centre of mass along the y axis, m
scalar
Details
Position of the centre of mass of an external defined mass relative to the centre of mass of the vehicle body in the y axis, in m.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, select the check box. Externally-defined additional mass.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
M
—
mass, kg
scalar
Details
The value of an external defined mass, in kg.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, select the check box. Externally-defined additional mass.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
#
J
—
external moment of inertia, kg⋅m2
scalar
Details
Moment of inertia of an external given mass, in kg⋅m2.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, select the checkbox Externally-defined additional mass and Pitch dynamics.
| Data types |
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| Complex numbers support |
No |
Parameters
Main
#
Mass —
vehicle weight
kg | mg | g | t | lbm | oz | slug
Details
Vehicle weight.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Number of wheels per axle — number of wheels per axle
Details
The number of wheels on the front and rear axles. If the input value is a scalar, then the number of wheels on the front and rear axles is considered the same. For example, if the input value is 2, then it is assumed that the front and rear axles have two wheels each.
If the input value is a two—element vector, then the first number is the number of wheels of the front axle, and the second number is the number of wheels of the rear axle. For example, if the input data is an array [2, 1], then it is assumed that the front axle has two wheels, and the rear one has one.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Horizontal distance from CG to front axle —
distance from the center of mass to the front axle
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
Horizontal distance, , from the center of mass to the axis of the front wheel of the vehicle.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Horizontal distance from CG to rear axle —
distance from the center of mass to the rear axle
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
Horizontal distance, , from the center of mass to the rear wheel axis of the vehicle.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
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CG height above ground —
distance from the center of mass to the earth
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
Distance, , between the center of mass of the vehicle and the ground.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Externally-defined additional mass — enabling variable mass
Details
An option to include mass as a time variable or event that affects the mass and center of mass of the vehicle body. Use this option to account for vehicle occupants or bodies that are not rigidly fixed.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Gravitational acceleration —
acceleration of free fall
m/s^2 | mm/s^2 | cm/s^2 | km/s^2 | in/s^2 | ft/s^2 | mi/s^2 | gn
Details
Acceleration caused by the gravitational force acting on the vehicle’s center of mass.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
Drag
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Frontal area —
effective cross-sectional area
m^2 | um^2 | mm^2 | cm^2 | km^2 | in^2 | ft^2 | yd^2 | mi^2 | ha | ac
Details
Effective cross-sectional area of the front of the vehicle, . The unit uses this value to calculate the aerodynamic drag force of the vehicle.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Drag coefficient — coefficient of aerodynamic drag
Details
Coefficient of aerodynamic drag, . The block uses this value to calculate the aerodynamic drag force of the vehicle.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Air density —
ambient air density
kg/m^3 | g/m^3 | g/cm^3 | g/mm^3 | lbm/ft^3 | lbm/gal | lbm/in^3
Details
The density of the air surrounding the vehicle.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
Pitch
# Pitch dynamics — suspension dynamics accounting option
Details
Select this option if you want to simulate suspension dynamics.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Pitch moment of inertia —
moment of inertia of the vehicle
kg*m^2 | g*m^2 | kg*cm^2 | g*cm^2 | lbm*in^2 | lbm*ft^2 | slug*in^2 | slug*ft^2
Details
The moment of inertia of the vehicle relative to the transverse axis of rotation.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Suspension model —
suspension parameterization method
Linear | By table lookup
Details
Parameterization method for suspension modeling. To set the data using scalar values, select Linear. To set the data using vector values, select By table lookup.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Front suspension stiffness —
coefficient of elasticity of the front suspension
N/m | mN/m | kN/m | MN/m | GN/m | kgf/m | lbf/ft | lbf/in
Details
The coefficient of elasticity of the front suspension on the axle.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value Linear.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front suspension damping —
front suspension damping
N*s/m | kgf*s/m | lbf*s/ft | lbf*s/in
Details
Damping of the front suspension on the axle.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value Linear.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear suspension stiffness —
coefficient of elasticity of the rear suspension
N/m | mN/m | kN/m | MN/m | GN/m | kgf/m | lbf/ft | lbf/in
Details
The coefficient of elasticity of the rear suspension on the axle.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value Linear.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear suspension damping —
rear suspension damping ratio
N*s/m | kgf*s/m | lbf*s/ft | lbf*s/in
Details
The damping coefficient of the rear suspension on the axle.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value Linear.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front suspension stiffness force vector —
the elastic force of the front suspension
N | nN | uN | mN | kN | MN | GN | dyn | lbf | kgf
Details
The elastic force of the front suspension. Set the output values for the interpolation table as a vector. The number of elements in the output vector must be the same as the number of elements in the input vector. The parameter of the input vector is the parameter Front suspension deformation vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front suspension deformation vector —
front suspension deformation
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
The deformation of the front suspension axle, defined in terms of displacement. Set the input values for the interpolation table as a vector. The values of the elements in the vector should increase from left to right. The minimum number of elements in a vector depends on the chosen interpolation method. Interpolation method. For Linear specify at least two elements for interpolation. For Smooth specify at least three elements for interpolation. The output vector parameter is the parameter Front suspension stiffness force vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front suspension damping force vector —
damping force of the front suspension
N | nN | uN | mN | kN | MN | GN | dyn | lbf | kgf
Details
The damping force of the front suspension. Set the output values for the interpolation table as a vector. The number of elements in the output vector must be the same as the number of elements in the input vector. The parameter of the input vector is the parameter Front suspension velocity vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front suspension velocity vector —
front suspension speed
m/s | mm/s | cm/s | km/s | m/hr | km/hr | in/s | ft/s | mi/s | ft/min | mi/hr | kn
Details
The speed of the front suspension. Set the input values for the interpolation table as a vector. The values of the elements in the vector should increase from left to right. The minimum number of elements in a vector depends on the chosen interpolation method. Interpolation method. For Linear specify at least two elements for interpolation. For Smooth specify at least three elements for interpolation. The output vector parameter is the parameter Front suspension damping force vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear suspension stiffness force vector —
the elastic force of the rear suspension
N | nN | uN | mN | kN | MN | GN | dyn | lbf | kgf
Details
The elastic force of the rear suspension. Set the output values for the interpolation table as a vector. The number of elements in the output vector must be the same as the number of elements in the input vector. The parameter of the input vector is the parameter Rear suspension deformation vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear suspension deformation vector —
deformation of the rear suspension
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
The deformation of the rear suspension, defined in terms of displacement. Set the input values for the interpolation table as a vector. The values of the elements in the vector should increase from left to right. The minimum number of elements in a vector depends on the chosen interpolation method. Interpolation method. For Linear specify at least two elements for interpolation. For Smooth specify at least three elements for interpolation. The output vector parameter is the parameter Rear suspension stiffness force vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear suspension damping force vector —
damping force of the rear suspension
N | nN | uN | mN | kN | MN | GN | dyn | lbf | kgf
Details
The damping force of the rear suspension. Set the output values for the interpolation table as a vector. The number of elements in the output vector must be the same as the number of elements in the input vector. The parameter of the input vector is the parameter Rear suspension velocity vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear suspension velocity vector —
rear suspension speed
m/s | mm/s | cm/s | km/s | m/hr | km/hr | in/s | ft/s | mi/s | ft/min | mi/hr | kn
Details
The speed of the rear suspension. Set the input values for the interpolation table as a vector. The values of the elements in the vector should increase from left to right. The minimum number of elements in a vector depends on the chosen interpolation method. Interpolation method. For Linear specify at least two elements for interpolation. For Smooth specify at least three elements for interpolation. The output vector parameter is the parameter Rear suspension damping force vector.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Interpolation method —
the interpolation method
Linear | Smooth
Details
The interpolation methods for approximating the output value when the input value is between two consecutive grid points are as follows:
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Linear— Select this default option to get the best performance. Provide at least two values for each dimension. -
Smooth— select this option to get a continuous curve with continuous first-order derivatives. Provide at least three values per measurement.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Extrapolation method —
the extrapolation method
Linear | Nearest | Error
Details
An extrapolation method for determining the output value when the input value is outside the range specified in the argument list.:
-
Linear— obtains a curve with continuous first-order derivatives in the extrapolation domain and on the boundary with the interpolation domain. -
Nearest— produces an extrapolation that does not rise above the highest point in the data or below the lowest point in the data.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics, and for the parameter Suspension model set the value By table lookup.
| Values |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
# Hard stop — the option of modeling a rigid stop
Details
The option of modeling rigid limiters for the front and rear suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics.
| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
No |
#
Front upper bound —
the upper limit of the rigid limiter of the front suspension
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
The upper limit of the rigid limiter for the front suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front lower bound —
the lower limit of the rigid limiter of the front suspension
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
The lower limit of the rigid limiter for the front suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front contact stiffness —
coefficient of elasticity of the rigid limiter of the front suspension
N/m | mN/m | kN/m | MN/m | GN/m | kgf/m | lbf/ft | lbf/in
Details
The coefficient of elasticity of the rigid limiter for the front suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Front contact damping —
damping coefficient of the rigid limiter of the front suspension
N*s/m | kgf*s/m | lbf*s/ft | lbf*s/in
Details
The damping coefficient of the rigid limiter for the front suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear upper bound —
the upper limit of the rigid limiter of the rear suspension
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
The upper limit of the rigid limiter for the rear suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear lower bound —
the lower limit of the rigid limiter of the rear suspension.
m | um | mm | cm | km | in | ft | yd | mi | nmi
Details
The lower limit of the rigid limiter for the rear suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear contact stiffness —
coefficient of elasticity of the rigid limiter of the rear suspension
N/m | mN/m | kN/m | MN/m | GN/m | kgf/m | lbf/ft | lbf/in
Details
The coefficient of elasticity of the rigid limiter for the rear suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Rear contact damping —
damping coefficient of the rigid limiter of the rear suspension
N*s/m | kgf*s/m | lbf*s/ft | lbf*s/in
Details
The damping coefficient of the rigid limiter for the rear suspension.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics and Hard stop.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial pitch —
the slope at the beginning of the simulation
rad | deg | rev | mrad | arcsec | arcmin | gon
Details
The value of the slope in the longitudinal plane at the beginning of the simulation.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Initial pitch rate —
angular velocity of rotation at the beginning of the simulation
rad/s | deg/s | rad/min | deg/min | rpm | rps
Details
The value of the tilt velocity in the longitudinal plane at the beginning of the simulation.
Dependencies
To use this option, check the box Pitch dynamics.
| Units |
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| Default value |
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| Program usage name |
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| Evaluatable |
Yes |