ADAMS CUSTOM INTERFACE FOR POWERTRAIN MOUNTING SYSTEM DESIGN

Optimisation of powertrain mount characteristics is important for the overall noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) of a vehicle. Powertrain suspension system design is a compromise between isolation of the vehicle from powertrain vibration and constraining the motion of the powertrain within vehicle packaging and handling targets. A custom interface has been developed for ADAMS View to create and analyse a parameterised powertrain suspension system model. The interface facilitates the quick generation of parameterised powertrain suspension models for in-line and vee configuration engines. The models include the components of the cranktrain and are driven by either flywheel velocity or cylinder pressure data. Balancer shafts and subframe components can also be generated through the interface. Analysis of the parameterised models allows rapid optimisation of the powertrain mounts in terms of location and stiffness, including snubbing characteristics, in order to meet the NVH targets for modal behaviour and bodyside engine mount forces, throughout the engine operating range. Quasi-static analyses are used to verify that the powertrain motion is within the vehicle packaging constraint and mount durability limits. The interface includes post processing features to output powertrain mount forces and displacements to pre-defined plots and numeric tables for each engine speed order. An example of the development of a powertrain suspension system model, using the interface, is given.