PRODUCT PROFILE 43
May/June 2020 • VehicleDynamicsInternational.com
TOP RIGHT: The
NASCAR Next Gen
front linkage on
a rig
ABOVE RIGHT: The
NASCAR Next Gen
rear linkage on a rig
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numerical characteristics of its existing
double-wishbone models weren’t greatly
affected by the relocation of the anti-roll
bar mount. However, the rear suspension
required a different approach.
A kinematic loop was created by
conventional modelling attempts to
connect the toe link on the upper
control arm; similarly, re-formatting
the more advanced aggregate doublewishbone
solutions used by teams for
real-time simulation would also be
unsuitable, as the force and torque
balances within the model would be
incorrect, regardless of the ability
for Dymola to simulate the linkage
model. A different multibody approach
was therefore taken. Two proprietary
aggregated joints were deployed,
treating the upper control arm, upright
and toe link mechanism as a four-bar
link. This approach worked, but required
substantial reworking of existing
components to accommodate the
required compliance locations and to set
up shim adjustments. The team’s existing
upright models became split between the
upper control arm/toe-link mechanism,
with a smaller ‘hub’ mounted between
the wheel and the upright link of the
suspension mechanism.
From Claytex’s standpoint, all
knowledge gained from motorsport
projects is used to improve its automotive
offerings. When an automotive customer
approaches the company to build a
suspension model which creates a
similar kinematic loop as the NASCAR
Next Generation rear suspension layout,
the team will be able to tap into the
knowledge base it has already created.
As a vendor, Claytex had very limited
access to data. Whilst this enabled
the teams to create and validate the
kinematics of the new models, from
a developmental perspective, nothing
replicates first-hand customer feedback.
Claytex issued a pre-release development
version of its libraries and models to a
customer, which was keen to get to work
on integrating them into its processes as
quickly as possible. Throughout February
Claytex engineers went back and forth,
with testing and development occurring
in parallel. Development effort was led
by the customer identifying key areas
of need, such as compliance and shim
locations, which Claytex then integrated
into the library.
This process enabled all the basic
model creation and testing in support
of the NASCAR Next Generation vehicle
to be completed by early March 2020.
Without the feedback loop from the
customer, Claytex would not have been
able to take its simulation solution from
the drawing board to being ready for
release in as short a timeframe. Similarly,
by working with the customer, Claytex
was able to integrate the vehicle models
into its processes much quicker.
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