Tractor-trailer Vehicle Dynamics Simulation And Optimization

With the development of the transport industry, tractor-trailer with its advantages of large load, small turning radius, good mobility and other characteristics plays an important role in the industry. To ensure the safety of drivers and cargo intact, there is growing concern about tractor-trailer related to performance. In this paper, a multi-body dynamics model was built to improve vehicle performance.In this paper, based on the theory of multi-body dynamics a precise MBS model of the tractor-trailer was built in ADAMS/CAR. The springs, shock absorbers, suspension, bushings, and other mechanical rubber isolator on characteristics of elastic elements have been taken into consideration. And the suspension spring, the vehicle front and rear suspension, steering system, fifth-wheel, power train, cab and suspension, and other subsystems were introduced. PAC2002 type was used in this paper.Many field tests have been carried out with the tractor. By comparing simulation and field test data methods, the model was verified perfectly. Based on the accurate model, the vehicle dynamics simulations were performed, including vehicle handling stability and ride comfort aspects, which showed us the performances of the vehicle.The coupling of a fifth-wheel on the tractor to a kingpin on the semi-trailer is an adopted joint mechanism, which is the only device for connecting the tractor and semi-trailer. Before the optimization, the influence of the fifth-wheel on the handling and riding was studied in this paper. In the optimization part of the vehicle, by comparing a certain brand of vehicles like cars and simulation data, the optimal targets were determined. And the part of the fifth-wheel parameters and other vehicle parameters were selected as design variables. Ride comfort index was introduced as a constraint to ensure no reduction in the premise of the ride during the optimization. Based on iSIGHT, ADAMS / CAR and MATLAB simulation and optimization platform, the optimal result turned out to be perfect.