Multi-Body Dynamics Control Integration Tool Application in Hybrid Vehicle System Identification

The multi-body dynamics (MBD) model and the MATLAB Simulink model can be integrated to create a control-integration model. Using a high-fidelity MBD model to represent the vehicle as the plant, this integrated model can be used to analyze vehicle system physics and develop control strategies. For hybrid vehicles, this process is more complex because the powertrain and other vehicle systems are often built as separate MBD models. This paper describes a method for integrating a powertrain model developed in AMESIM, a vehicle model developed in SIMPACK, and a control model developed in MATLAB Simulink. The resulting integrated model was then used to perform frequency sweep analysis to identify driveline system properties. In particular, the driveline frequency and the amplitude of the transfer function between motor speed and motor torque are critical parameters. By applying active damping control to the driveline system, the peak amplitude and driveline vibrations can be reduced. The hybrid vehicle studied includes a transmission system with ten different gears. When the vehicle operates at different gear level, the system behaves differently. The analysis results can assist the driveline control team in developing appropriate strategies to improve overall vehicle performance.