Simulation with a Vertical Oscillating Race Car Model

The subject of this paper is the creation of a vertical oscillation model of a race car in MATLAB and applying it to transient real-time simulations. The race car model is based upon a multi-body simulation model. That means the entire race car is divided into six discrete and rigid masses connected together with springs and dampers. To calibrate the model and to compute the surface of the real track the following data acquisition signals are required: four pushrod loads of each wheel, the speed, and the longitudinal and lateral acceleration. Based on this model the user can adjust the vehicle suspension setup and simulate the new movements and velocities of the masses as well as the forces acting on them. One result of this simulation can be the relative performance (according to the contact patch loads) in every point of the circuit during one lap as compared to the basis setup.