MapleSim drives higher fuel efficiency in cars

Available from Adept Scientific MapleSim is a physical modelling and simulation tool built on a foundation of symbolic computation technology. It efficiently handles all of the complex mathematics involved in the development of engineering models, including multi-domain systems, plant modelling and control design. With MapleSim, engineers develop high-fidelity, high performance models in a fraction of the time it would take with other tools. By using MapleSim with the MapleSim Driveline Component Library, engineers can mix the best of physical models and empirical data to maximise model fidelity, optimise designs and improve overall vehicle fuel-efficiency.

One major advantage of this library is that the components use an acausal approach to model development where the user can simply connect the components in the required configuration without worrying about issues like torque direction and load-flow. These issues are resolved automatically by the underlying solver. This makes it much easier, and significantly faster, to produce models of any complex transmission configuration from prebuilt components compared to using traditional signal-flow simulation tools.

The library also provides an option that allows power losses to be readily incorporated in the model, either through external calculations or through the use of empirical look-up tables. For example, energy loss in the powertrain can occur due to tooth-meshing, bearing friction, slip and other factors. This approach allows the user to maximise the fidelity of the model while introducing losses in a manner that best reflects how the loss data was acquired during testing.

“As automotive manufacturers strive to improve the fuel-efficiency of their vehicles, they’ve found that the transmission is one of the major sources of power loss,” says Paul Goossens, Vice President of Application Engineering at Maplesoft. “Engineers are putting a lot of effort into assessing where power is lost and what can be done to improve overall efficiency. MapleSim and the MapleSim Driveline Component Library greatly reduce the time and effort required for these tasks making it much easier for transmission manufactures to reduce power loss through improved designs. The result will be more efficient vehicles on the roads.”