TruckSim 8.0 vehicle dynamics software offers improvements for simulating the dynamic behavior of heavy-duty trucks and tractor-trailers with various combinations of axles, dual wheels, and trailers. The software animates simulated tests and generates thousands of variables that can be plotted and analyzed. It is reported that users at OEMs and tier 1 suppliers report close agreement between the TruckSim simulation predictions and actual on-road and proving ground test results.
Simulating advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) involves the dynamic behavior of a vehicle, and how radar, lidar, and video sensors detect other vehicles or objects such as pedestrians, parked cars, and buildings.
According to Michael Sayers, Mechanical Simulation’s chief technology officer, “When developing vehicles with unique layouts, simulation is essential for testing chassis components and advanced electronic controls, because there is simply not enough time to physically test every possible combination.”
Some TruckSim users are experts in simulating vehicle dynamics but others use the software only occasionally. “Two objectives in developing TruckSim 8 improvements were to simplify usage for casual users, while at the same time extending our support for advanced users,” said Sayers. “Capabilities that were available to experienced users are now automated, requiring only a few clicks to select vehicles and test procedures and to see the results.”
The product offers improvements in the vehicle math models, adding “B-train” trailer configurations,
advanced powertrain dynamics, more details in the suspension, and support for new tire models.
A new database feature allows you to exchange encrypted datasets with other companies. For example, an OEM can provide a full TruckSim vehicle description for a supplier to use in developing their components without releasing proprietary engineering data about the vehicle. This capability can be useful in a situation where different manufacturers produce the tractor and trailer in a combination vehicle. Likewise, a Tier 1 supplier can provide an encrypted future chassis system to a potential OEM customer.
Another new feature is the inclusion of built-in ranging and detection sensors, along with programmable traffic vehicles and other “target objects” that the sensors can detect. TruckSim also handles vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure safety systems development.
The representation of 3D road surfaces has been extended to support variable-width roads, such as lane merging or racetracks with wide curves. The software also provides live run-time engineering data displays.
Mechanical Simulation Corporation
www.carsim.com
::Design World::
Filed Under: Automotive, Mechanical, Simulation, Software
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