Vehicle Dynamics for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks e-Seminar

This e-Seminar presents an introduction to vehicle dynamics from a vehicle system perspective. The theory and applications are associated with the interaction and performance balance between the powertrain, brakes, steering, suspensions and wheel and tire vehicle subsystems. The role that vehicle dynamics can and should play in effective automotive chassis development and the information and technology flow from vehicle system to subsystem to piece-part is integrated into the presentation.

Dr. Richard Lundstrom develops and solves governing equations of motion for both steady and transient conditions. He presents manual and computer techniques for analysis and evaluation. Vehicle system dynamic performance in the areas of drive-off, braking, directional control and rollover is emphasized. The dynamics of the powertrain, brakes, steering, suspension and wheel and tire subsystems and their interactions are examined along with the important role of structure and structural parameters related to vehicle dynamics. Physical experiments applicable to vehicle dynamics are also introduced.

Based on the popular classroom seminar, this course offers more than fourteen hours of instruction and simulations divided into nineteen modules; the Bosch Automotive Handbook and the book, The Automotive Chassis: Engineering Principles by Reimpell, Stoll and Betzler; a coordinated handbook that includes a resource guide and SAE papers and paper collections.

Major topics include:

• Vehicle Dynamics: Introduction[Total Run Time: 43 minutes]
  • Define vehicle dynamics
  • Describe the popular vehicle dynamics coordinate systems
  • Define the essential vehicle system elements
  • Explain the difference between parameters and metrics
  • List the major vehicle dynamics attributes
• Drive-Off Dynamics: Introduction and Vehicle Resistances[Total Run Time: 1 hour, 6 minutes]
  • Define the vehicle dynamics acceleration attribute
  • Identify the vehicle anatomy areas to which acceleration dynamics applies
  • Calculate powertrain efficiency as a function of percent throttle
  • Describe the purpose for the rotational inertia coefficient
  • Graph the primary acceleration resistances
• Drive-Off Dynamics: Vehicle Characteristics and Powertrain Matching[Total Run Time: 30 minutes]
  • Describe tire-road adhesion for acceleration
  • Graph vehicle system tractive effort requirements
  • Compare internal combustion engine torque characteristics to tractive effort requirements
  • Graph a powertrain gear selection diagram
  • Outline a process for matching powertrain to the vehicle system
• Drive-Off Dynamics: Tire Patch Forces and Performance Prediction[Total Run Time: 37 minutes]
  • Calculate the rigid model tire patch forces during acceleration
  • Calculate the elementary engine model parameters used in estimating vehicle system acceleration
  • Outline a process for estimating elapsed time and distance during acceleration
  • Describe the relationship between elapsed time, distance traveled and fuel consumption during acceleration
  • Calculate required parameters and metrics to complete the drive-off workshop
• Braking Dynamics: Introduction and Balance Characteristics [Total Run Time: 1 hour, 26 minutes]
  • Define the braking dynamics attribute
  • Identify the vehicle anatomy areas to which braking dynamics applies
  • Describe the acceleration of a vehicle versus time during a stopping event
  • Calculate tire patch forces during braking
  • Calculate and graph the balanced brake force distribution
• Braking Dynamics: Tire/Wheel Limits, Efficiency, and Performance [Total Run Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes]
  • Describe tire-road adhesion for braking
  • Calculate the tire road adhesion coefficient limit for braking
  • Define the balanced and fixed braking ratios
  • Define front and rear brake bias
  • Calculate braking efficiency and braking acceleration
• Ride Dynamics: Introduction[Total Run Time: 1 hour, 6 minutes]
  • Define the ride dynamics attribute
  • Describe the focus on customer needs and engineering metrics relationships for ride dynamics
  • Identify the vehicle anatomy areas to which ride dynamics applies
  • Describe how the road surface and vehicle create a disturbance with frequency content
  • Specify values for vehicle system frequency metrics
• Ride Dynamics: Quarter Vehicle Dynamic Model[Total Run Time: 24 minutes]
  • Describe the quarter vehicle dynamic model
  • Calculate and locate the sprung and unsprung weights at the axle planes
  • Describe suspension corner springing
  • Describe suspension corner damping
  • Select a tire-wheel system vertical spring rate
• Ride Dynamics: Parameter Estimation[Total Run Time: 1 hour]
  • Calculate suspension ride rates
  • Calculate suspension rates
  • Calculate ride range spring rates
  • Describe the vehicle system to piece part information flow for estimating suspension spring rates
  • Describe the pitch plane model
• Ride Dynamics: Wheel Motion and Secondary Ride[Total Run Time: 1 hour, 3 minutes]
  • Locate front and rear pitch poles
  • Describe the relationship between caster gain and harshness management
  • Calculate front axle anti-dive and rear axle anti-lift during braking
  • Specify the preferred body pitch axis location
  • Locate the body pitch axis
• Ride Dynamics: Summary[Total Run Time: 16 minutes]
  • Choose ride parameters and metrics consistent with workshop vehicle
  • Calculate the required parameters and metric values for primary ride
  • Specify the wheel motion requirements for harshness
  • Locate the preferred body pitch axis
  • Write an overview for primary ride
• "Low Speed" Steering Dynamics: Introduction and Steering Geometry[Total Run Time: 1 hour, 4 minutes]
  • Define the "low speed" steering attribute
  • Describe focus on customer needs and engineering metrics relationships for low speed steering
  • Identify vehicle anatomy areas to which low speed steering applies
  • Describe steering axis geometry
  • Define kinematic steering ratio and typical values
• "Low Speed" Steering Dynamics: Turning Circle[Total Run Time: 28 minutes]
  • Define Ackermann steering geometry
  • Calculate the outside front road wheel steering angle for 100% Ackermann
  • Calculate steering deviation
  • Calculate percent Ackermann
  • Calculate curb-to-curb turning circle for workshop vehicle
• "High Speed" Steering Dynamics: Introduction[Total Run Time: 1 hour, 16 minutes]
  • Define the "high speed" steering dynamics attribute
  • Describe focus on customer needs and engineering metrics relationships for high speed steering dynamics
  • Describe the lateral force generated at the tire contact patch
  • Describe the physics of turning
  • Define lateral weight transfer
• "High Speed" Steering Dynamics: Tire Forces and Characteristics[Total Run Time: 30 minutes]
  • Calculate rigid body vehicle tire patch forces during steady cornering
  • Describe tire lateral force versus slip angle characteristics
  • Describe tire self aligning torque characteristics
  • Describe the relationship between tire lateral force and vertical load
  • Predict the friction circle for a specific vehicle
• "High Speed" Steering Dynamics: Cornering Compliance and Body Roll[Total Run Time: 50 minutes]
  • Describe the steady cornering equation in terms of cornering compliance
  • Define understeer and understeer gradient
  • Calculate lateral acceleration gain for a sports sedan for steady cornering at 0.3g
  • Describe understeer gradient as a function of vehicle weight distribution and tire cornering stiffness
  • Calculate front and rear axle roll stiffness for a specific vehicle
• "High Speed" Steering Dynamics: Understeer Gradient - Rigid Body Contributions[Total Run Time: 22 minutes]
  • Define rigid body considerations incorporated in the understeer gradient
  • Define camber kinematics related to camber steer
  • Describe how camber thrust is incorporated in the understeer gradient
  • Describe how to calculate effect of aligning torque on the understeer gradient
  • Describe how to calculate the effect of steering system compliance on the understeer gradient
• "High Speed" Steering Dynamics: Understeer Gradient - K & C Contributions[Total Run Time: 28 minutes]
  • Describe how to locate the kinematic roll center for a specific suspension
  • Describe how the kinematic roll gain is related to the cornering compliance
  • Predict the lateral force compliance steer for a multi-link strut rear suspension
  • Calculate the lateral weight transfer including the effect of body roll
  • Calculate the lateral acceleration which will cause impending lift off of an inside tire including the effect of body roll
• "High Speed" Steering Dynamics: Transient Cornering Response[Total Run Time: 17 minutes]
  • Describe the second order dynamic cornering model used for analysis of yaw and side-slip during transient cornering
  • Describe yaw rate natural frequency using the system characteristic equation
  • Describe yaw damping ratio using the system characteristic equation
  • Predict, using the lateral acceleration diagram, the effect of front and rear cornering compliance magnitudes on lateral acceleration response time

About the Instructor: Richard Lundstrom
Dr. Richard Lundstrom is an independent research and project engineer specializing in dynamic system engineering, automotive chassis development , and application of the science of improvement. He teaches Chassis Design, Systems Analysis and Mechanical Control Systems at Kettering University, where he also served as team leader for the annual Kettering Industry Symposium. Dr. Lundstrom previously taught several mechanical engineering courses, developed Vehicle Dynamics and Thermal System Design courses, and founded and directed the Vehicle Dynamics Lab at Lawrence Tech. He has worked as a product engineer with Ford Motor Company and developed and taught a Fundamentals of Vehicle Design course. Dr. Lundstrom is a member of SAE, ASME, ASQ, ASEE and SCCA. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, a M.S. from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from Oakland University.

Is this e-Seminar for You?
This e-Seminar is intended for automotive engineers and quality professionals who work in product design, testing, quality, process or development.

About e-Seminars
SAE "e-Seminars" are electronically delivered seminars featuring full-motion video illustrated with synchronized presentation slides. e-Seminars are based on some of SAE's most highly attended and rated classroom seminars.

Convenient & Portable Learning
Convenient and portable, SAE e-Seminars offer a new way to receive the same instruction as live classroom learning without the expense of travel and time away from the workplace. Using a laptop or PC with an Internet connection, you can view individual modules at your own pace, at times convenient to you.You can even e-mail your questions to SAE for instructor reply.

• 365 days of access (from date of purchase) to the 14 hour course
• Links to streaming video modules
• Course Handbook (downloadable, .pdf's, subject to DRM) including the SAE Papers:
  • 970091
  • SP-355
  • 760713
  • 760710
• Online Pre-test (self-test, immediate results)
• Online Post-test (submit to SAE)
• 1.6 CEUs*/Certificate of Achievement (with satisfactory post-test score)
• The Bosch Automotive Handbook** (bound, hardback)
• The book, The Automotive Chassis: Engineering Principles by Reimpell, Stoll and Betzler** (bound, hardback)

Equipment Requirements

• Windows 2000, XP, 7 (Not currently supported by Windows Vista)
• Pentium III PC
• Minimum 128 MB RAM; recommended 256 MB RAM
• Internet Explorer 6.0 & above browser (Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Unix/Linus based browsers are not currently supported)
• Adobe Flash Player 8.0 & above
• Broadband-128Kbps and above
• 1024 X 768 Screen Resolution
• Sound Card/Speakers

Available in Single-User packages. Quantity discounts for three or more students and Site License options also are available - complete a Corporate Learning Solutions Request Form for a quote.

For more detail, email CustomerService@sae.org; or call
1-877-606-7323 (U.S. and Canada) or 724-776-4970 (outside US and Canada).