Integrated Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of Vehicle Powertrains

An integrated approach that includes kinematics and kinetics analysis and structural analysis is applied to the dynamic modeling and simulation of vehicle powertrains in this article. According to the kinematics and kinetics analysis, a multibody powertrain system model including the engine, torque converter and transmission is presented. Then one vehicle powertrain's multibody system dynamics model is built, and its spatial dynamic behavior and dynamic forces between components in various processes are calculated. The resulting loads can be applied to the structural dynamics analysis of the components. As an example, the finite element model of the transmission is built, and the vibration stresses of the components under steady state and the impulse stresses in the unsteady processes are calculated. These results obtained from the various kinds of simulation can provide much comprehensive prediction for the development of the powertrain.