Role of Multibody Dynamics in the Design of Chain Drive Systems

Abstract

Some of the most common warranty claims in the automotive business today are noise and vibration (NVH) complaints. Compounding the problem is use of extended warranties leaving the OEM subject to claims for longer periods of time. CAE tools that can help predict and eliminate such problems earlier in the design cycle can dramatically reduce overall warranty claims during the product’s lifecycle. Presented in this paper is the chain drive application from an automotive OEM. The focus of the project is to identify sources of clatter, whine and rattle from a balancer chain. Multibody Dynamics Simulation (MBS) software will be used to build a virtual version of the chain system. The MBS tools are then used to predict the impact forces between the chain and different components of the system. MBS software is also used to evaluate different designs to determine which designs best reduce the clatter of the chain.