Abstract
Combining the benefits from measurements and simulations is ultimately motivated by improved suspension analysis and designs in view of providing support to the development process. Reliable results depend on a wide range of detailed information, such as K&C data, chassis hard points, centre of gravity and inertia data, bushing characteristics and also the flexible behaviour of specific components which are generally only known at the OEM itself. With the Virtual Vehicles from TÜV SÜD, a large number of complete and validated simulation models are available in one database system.
The suspension models could be used for the virtual benchmarking of competitors’ vehicles. Models are available in a database or on the basis of requirements. Along with the data acquisition for the parameterisation, each vehicle is used for the validation of the simulation model by driving real manoeuvres. A comparison between the model and the real data then will be documented. With the TÜV SÜD Automotive Virtual Vehicle, an integrated approach for vehicle dynamics analysis will be available as an engineering service. As verified simulation models will be available, excellent prerequisites exist aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of suspension designs. Along with the well known benefits of each method, there is also feedback from the simulation to the measurements, as already examined in projects using conventional sets of K&C-measurements. Since different sets of measurements are used for model generation, the most cost-efficient set of measurements can be applied in terms of a predefined quality of the suspension model which is to be derived. For the user of these validate simulation models, being able to use every vehicle on the market as a simulation model for his software, all of which are parameterised and validated using the same process and are measured with the same equipment, represents a considerable advantage.
Keywords: Validated simulation models, static and dynamic K&C measurements, all necessary input vehicle data, driving test measurement, variable dampers analysis, online data-base availability, defined workflows, combining the benefits of measurement and simulation.