Vehicle Dynamics

As part of its ongoing research and development efforts, gForce Technologies has created a library of high fidelity, real-time passenger car, bus, and truck vehicle dynamics models that are specially suited for operator-in-the-loop^? training systems. Models in this library range from six to 34 degrees of freedom (DOF). Within this library, one can find models with such characteristics as:

• Adjustable loads (liquid or solid)
• >Double and triple tractor/trailer combinations
• Collision impact behavior (impacts, pit-maneuvers, etc.)
• 4x4's to 8x8's in various axle configurations
• Front, rear, all wheel drive with manual or automatic transmissions
• Variety of tire models including soft soil and uneven surfaces

Our family of vehicle models are for use in both desktop engineering analysis and high-fidelity operator-in-the-loop^? simulations. A complete model package consists of the following components:

• Executable code capable of running under Windows
• A graphical user interface for data configuration and post processing of the data (plotting data and animations)
• A linkable library compiled for the customer's target computer (Linux, UNIX, Windows, and QNX)
• One complete default data set
• User documentation

The following classes of vehicles currently available:

• 4-wheel independent suspension
• Front independent, rear solid axle suspension
• 4-wheel all solid axle suspension
• 6x6 independent suspension
• 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 heavy-duty vehicles used in both military and commercial applications

By using the appropriate data, each model is capable of simulating any vehicle in its class. For example, the 4-wheel independent model may be used to simulate virtually any passenger car model with an independent suspension. Data sets for the model may be supplied via an easy-to-use graphical user interface, or may be licensed from gForce.

As part of the vehicles data set, the simulation may be configured with a variety of options:

• Front, rear or all wheel drive
• Automatic or manual transmission
• Front or all wheel steering
• Anti-lock brakes and traction control
• On road off off-road tire dynamics (off-road includes soft terrain or uneven surfaces)
• Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS)
• Collision behavior

In addition to these base vehicle types, each model is also available with towed loads:

• Conventional fifth-wheel trailers (single or double rear axles)
• Conventional trailer with a pintle-hook
• Wagons with attached trailers
• Heavy-duty trailers with up to 10 axles

A number of special-purpose features have been included in order to accommodate a wide range of applications:

• Vehicle and trailer liquid loads
• All-wheel steering
• Trailer steering (Tiller operation and special purpose vehicles)