Simulation of Mechatronic Vehicles with MBS-Code SIMPACK

Abstract

Lightweight constructions with increased dynamic problems require mechatronic components and principles to be applied for advanced vehicle system. Multibody simulation techniques form a core element of CAE-Software for vehicle system dynamics. These tools have developed from analysing purely mechanical (rigid body) systems to mechatronic design packages with numerous interfaces to other CAE-packages such as CAD, FEM and CACE. This paper describes SIMPACK as a modern representative for such software, its functionalities as well as its interfaces. A new feature of SIMPACK is its capability to optimize the parameters of a vehicle system according to multi-objective performance indices. As an application the optimization ("design-by-simulation") of an aircraft nose landing gear is presented.