Search Results

This paper contributes to the Committee on Commonized Aerodynamics Automotive Testing Standards (CAATS) initiative, established by the late Gary Elfstrom. It is collaboratively compiled by automotive wind tunnel users and operators within the Subsonic Aerodynamic Testing Association (SATA). Its specific focus lies in automotive wind tunnel test techniques, encompassing both those relevant to passenger car and race car development. It is part of the comprehensive CAATS series, which addresses not only test techniques but also wind tunnel calibration, uncertainty analysis, and wind tunnel correction methods. The core objective of this paper is to furnish comprehensive guidelines for wind tunnel testing and associated techniques. It begins by elucidating the initial wind tunnel setup and vehicle arrangement within it.

Internal combustion engine (IC engine) vehicles are commonly used for transportation due to their versatility. Due to this, efficiency in design process of IC engines is critical for the industry. To assess performance capabilities of an IC engine, thermal predictions are of utmost consequence. This study describes a computational method based on unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations that resolves the gas–liquid interface to examine the unsteady single phase/multiphase flow and heat transfer in a 4-cylinder Inline (i-4) engine. The study considers all important parts of the engine i.e., pistons, cylinder liners, head, block etc. The study highlights the ease of capturing complex and intricate flow paths with a robust mesh generation tool in combination with a robust high-fidelity interface capturing VOF (Volume-of-Fluid) scheme to resolve the gas-liquid interfaces.

Spiral bevel gears are commonly used in heavy-duty trucks and buses. An integrated dynamic model of the spiral bevel gears with mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication is proposed in this study. First, loaded tooth contact analysis was performed to evaluate the kinematic parameters and calculate the mesh force variation for one mesh cycle. These kinematic quantities are used in the mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) calculation to determine the EHL parameters such as pressure, film thickness, and shear distribution considering the surface roughness profile of the spiral bevel gears. Then, the EHL pressure and film thickness are used in the calculation of the coefficient of friction, damping, and oil film elastohydrodynamic lubrication stiffness. Last, these tribological parameters are used in the dynamic calculation of the spiral bevel gears.

With the trend of electric drive unit gradually replacing ICE powertrain, in additional to gear noise, the motor noise has become a new major NVH challenge. These tonal noises are easier to be detected in the pure electric vehicle that has no masking effect of ICE powertrain. Therefore, how to accurately predict and reduce the motor noise is a key to solve the problem. The accuracy of calculated motor stator modes determines the accuracy of motor noise prediction. This paper presents a simulation method based on the finite element model and defined orthotropic material properties of the stator. The material property parameters of the stator core and hairpin windings are reverse-engineered through iterative correlations to test data. High accuracy FEA model is achieved that can determine the stator mode shapes and frequencies of this hairpin motor accurately, which provides a reliable and effective approach for the motor noise prediction and optimization studies.

This paper focuses on a P3 HEV drivetrain for a performance vehicle with a 2-speed gear shift system. The drivetrain NVH performance varies at different gear and different loading conditions, therefore creates a new level of challenges in optimizing the system. This paper presents the methodologies in optimizing the system NVH, including noise sources from both gearbox and eMotor. CAE modeling methods are discussed and illustrated for their usage in optimizing both structural and acoustic responses. Reasonable correlations to test data are achieved and presented.

A driveline differential gear housing or diff-case is the heaviest component of a driveline that rotates at high velocities. core shift during diff-case casting is a major source of imbalance as casting cores can never be placed at the exact intended location. Core shift in the present case is defined as combination of pure translation along the parting plane and tilting about two orthogonal axes. Given the ranges of variation of these shift parameters, large numbers of random sampling of these variations are generated through Monte Carlo method where normal distribution of each of the core shift parameters is assumed. Static unbalance values of the diff-case from each of the instances of core shift is calculated using Boolean operation in MSC Adams View and a nonlinear data set is created. Next, a statistical model is created based on a neutral network-based fitting method to appropriately represent the set.

A vehicle-level data acquisition (DAQ) system was developed and implemented on the Lawrence Technological University (LTU) Baja SAE vehicle. This low-cost Arduino-based DAQ system is capable of accurately and repeatedly measuring Baja SAE specific vehicle parameters and storing them for offline analysis. While expandable for the needs of future teams, the developed DAQ system includes measurement of vehicle wheel speed, CVT pulley speeds, suspension position, CVT belt temperature, steering load, and steering angle. The development of the DAQ system architecture and the development of the angular speed and suspension position measurement subsystems are the focus of this work. The processes followed and lessons learned can be used by other Baja SAE and SAE Collegiate Design Series. Each measurement subsystem was designed, fabricated, integrated, and validated on the bench and in-vehicle.

Efficient thermal management is essential in high power density electric drive units (EDUs) due to limited space and working environment. Major heat sources in EDUs are from the inverter, motor and gearbox. System level thermal response prediction models comprising various components within the EDU are of interest from both product performance and software controls standpoint. A system level physics-based lumped parameter thermal network (LPTN) model is built in a one-dimensional (1D) framework using inputs from empirical, electromagnetic, three-dimensional conjugate fluid/heat transfer analysis and test data to predict the component temperature within the EDU. Empirical models were used to calculate heating due to efficiency loss from the gearbox. The thermal loses from the motor are estimated as outputs from electromagnetic simulations.

Electronically locking differentials that have dog-clutches may not always have a smooth engagement. The duration of the engagements needs to be quantified, and the different types of engagement need to be qualified. The engagement time is dictated by both the mechanical and electrical sub-systems of the differential. Three different analytical methods were developed to simulate engagement. The first method uses Simulink to co-simulate the electromagnetic behavior of the actuator in ANSYS Maxwell, and the multibody dynamic behavior of the differential in MSC ADAMS. The second method simulates the mechanics of the differential in AMESim, where an equation for the electromagnetic force inside the actuator is integrated into the model. The third method leverages the former two methods by combining the MSC ADAMS multibody dynamic behavior with integrated equation for the electromagnetic force inside the actuator.

Over the years, requirements for an electric drive for traction applications have increased substantially in terms of efficiency, power density, packaging space and cost. Manufacturers have employed various strategies to achieve high efficiency and power dense solutions. One such strategy is to use a synergistic approach by combining typical EDU sub-components such as an inverter, a motor and a gearbox with a differential to form a fully integrated 3-in-1 solution. Electrical and thermal losses from such a system can be quite significant as it includes losses from the inverter, the motor and the gearbox. As a result, thermal performance is often a limiting factor in improving the packaging space and power density. To address thermal issues, an effective liquid cooling system must be employed that ensures sufficient heat dissipation from all of the EDU subcomponents and helps to reduce packaging space.

Automotive electric drive unit designs are often limited by installation space and the related environmental conditions. Electrical losses in various components of the motor such as stator, rotor and coils can be significant and as a result, the thermal design can become a bottle neck to improve power and torque density. In order to mitigate the thermal issue, an effective liquid cooling system is often employed that ensures sufficient heat dissipation from the motor and helps to reduce packaging size. Although both stator and rotor are cooled in a typical motor, this paper discusses a multiphase oil-air mixture analysis on a spinning hollow rotor and rotor shaft subjected to forced oil cooling. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) conjugate heat transfer (CHT) simulations were carried out to investigate flow and heat transfer. The effect of centrifugal force, shaft RPM, density gradients and secondary flows were investigated.

Electro-mechanical actuators are widely used in different forms in the automotive industry these days and are very effective in translating rotary motion of the motor to a linear motion with precision as per the requirement. With onset of electric drivelines and other complex driveline configurations, there is an increase in actuator applications. In this study, high fidelity analytical model was developed for a ball ramp clutch actuation system as per the proposed mechanical design and the software controls. The controls architecture is built in SIMULINK environment to drive the plant model of the BLDC motor. Whereas, the entire mechanical system which includes the gear train, ball ramp mechanism, clutch pack stiffness, etc. is modelled in ADAMS tool. The Ball Ramp consists of metal balls positioned in between opposing paired arc-shaped ramp grooves and guided by a cage to keep them equally separated in the same plane.

Overall transmission error (OTE) of gear system has been a main focus of gear dynamics study. The input-output transmission error (TE) depends heavily on mesh phasing conditions. Only reducing loaded transmission error (LTE) of a single gear mesh is not enough to ensure good NVH performance in a multiple gear mesh system. In order to predict OTE during bevel gear design instead of just analyzing single mesh TE, a new bevel gear OTE calculation method will be presented in this study. Based on single mesh parameters including loaded and unloaded TE or mesh stiffness, the OTE of a differential gear set can be calculated without building a complete system model. The effect of phasing on system OTE shows that different tooth combination can have significant effect on dynamic performance which should be considered during design.

For any combustion engine, balance has always been important regardless of types of cylinder layout. One of the disadvantages of the inline four engines is the second-order unbalanced forces, which leads to high-frequency excitation of vehicle’s structure and consequent internal noise. Balance shaft modules (BSM) are often used in inline-four engines, to reduce the second-order vibration and mitigate engine imbalance. Balance shafts are often running at light load and high-speed condition which could induce both gear rattle and gear whine from the BSM gear set. Typically, scissor gear set is used between crankshaft and BSM to reduce the gear rattle noise. However, a poor scissor gear design could easily lead to unpleasant gear whine noise. There is an increasing trend to shorten development cycles and reduce cost using simulation models. This paper discusses an analytical method to simulate gear whine and rattle generated by engine BSM.

An AWD vehicle can operate in 4WD/2WD either full-time or on-demand by actively controlling the clutch. Active clutch control of AWD vehicles requires an accurate prediction of system-level thermal behavior of the Rear Axle Rear Drive Module (RDM), which generally comprises various components such as bearings, gears, differentials, lube oil and clutches. A system-level thermal model was developed in a one-dimensional (1D) framework using inputs from empirical, physics-based models and test data. Empirical models were used to obtain heating due to efficiency loss from all rotating and meshing components of the RDM. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) conjugate heat transfer (CHT) simulations and bench scale testing were used to obtain oil flowrates and heating within the RDM and clutch at various speeds. At the component-level, the 1D model includes details of the clutch pack to predict clutch interface temperature.

In the current automotive industry, it is common that the driveline subsystem and components are normally from different automotive suppliers for OEMs. In order to ensure proper system integration and successful development of driveline system NVH performances, collaboration efforts between OEMs and suppliers are very demanding and important. In this paper, a process is presented to achieve successfulness in developing and optimizing vehicle integration through effective teamwork between a driveline supplier and a major OEM. The development process includes multiple critical steps. They include target development and roll down, targets being specific and measurable, comprehension of interactions of driveline and vehicle dynamics, accurate definition of sensitivity, proper deployment of modal mapping strategy, which requires open data sharing; and system dynamics and optimization.

With fast pacing development of automobile industry and growing needs for better driving experience, NVH performance has become an important aspect of analysis in new driveline product development especially in hybrid and electric powered vehicles. Differential bevel gear has significant role in the final drive. Unlike parallel axis gears such as spur or helical gear, bevel gear mesh shows more complicated characteristics and its mesh parameters are mostly time-varying which calls for more extensive design and analysis. The purpose of this paper is to conduct design study on a differential bevel gear unit under light torque condition and evaluate its NVH characteristics. Unloaded tooth contact analysis (UTCA) of those designs are conducted and compared for several design cases with different micro geometry to investigate their pattern position and size variation effects on NVH response.

A vehicle with automatic transmission is fitted with a parking pawl mechanism to avoid the risk posed by unintended vehicle movement. The system has to be robust enough to function safely even in poor tolerance situations, under extreme temperatures and rigorous durability tests. Thorough study is required in the design and approval of a parking mechanism. Because of the limited research publications in this area, general design practice has been based on heuristic understanding and a build-and-test approach. The combination of physical tests and virtual modeling holds great potential for accelerating and enhancing vehicle development processes. In this paper, an ADAMS model capable of designing, predicting, and optimizing the dynamic characteristics of the parking pawl mechanism is presented. Axiomatic design theory is used to synthesize design solutions in order to satisfy the key requirement of the system.

The high performance brake systems of today are usually in a delicate balance - walking the fine line between being overpowered by some of the most potent powertrains, some of the grippiest tires, and some of the most demanding race tracks that the automotive world has ever seen - and saddling the vehicle with excess kilograms of unsprung mass with oversized brakes, forcing significant compromises in drivability with oversized tires and wheels. Brake system design for high performance vehicles has often relied on a very deep understanding of friction material performance (friction, wear, and compressibility) in race track conditions, with sufficient knowledge to enable this razor’s edge design.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirement for 54.5mpg by 2025 to reduce greenhouse gases has pushed the industry to look for alternative fuels to run vehicles. Electricity is of those green energies that can help auto industry to achieve those strict requirements. However, the electric or hybrid-electric vehicles brought new challenges into science and engineering world including the Noise and Vibration issues which are usually tied up with both airborne and structural noises. The electromagnetic force plays a significant role in acoustic noise radiation in the electric motor which is an air-gap radial Maxwell force. This paper describes an innovative approach to model the physics of noise radiated by the electric motor.