Automotive Vehicle Chassis Simulation for Motion Control Studies Using Multibody Systems (MB5) ModellingTechniques

The subject of this paper is the application of multibody system techniques for vehicle chassis modelling aimed at the development of integrated vehicle control. It realises that resulting models can be complex and that simplifications in chassis description is recommendable. For this purpose, it has developed a technique for representing suspension geometry effects which by taking the MBS structure into account, results in small and fast runtime simulation models. Yet, the model is capable of describing the full range of normal operation of the automotive vehicle. Using the previously developed model, comprehensive analysis of all aspects of vehicle motion is carried out. The objectives of such analysis is the determination of a driving envelope in which the use of linearised models of the nonlinear chassis can be justified for control analysis and design. Finally, the numerical and control theoretical properties of the linearised models are addressed. State space representation is used for such purposes.