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Section Four: Vehicle Editor

Updated Markdown edition of the HVE User's Manual (HVE Version 5, Seventh Edition, January 2006), Section Four "Vehicle Editor". Verified against the current HVE application source (HVEINV-64/) and the physics vehicle data structure (Physics/Include/VEHICLE.H).

The purpose of the HVE Vehicle Editor is to provide physically correct 3-D vehicle models for use in dynamic reconstructions and simulations. The HVE Vehicle Model is a general purpose physical/mathematical model of a vehicle developed by EDC. Its generality of scope allows the same model to be used by any 2-D or 3-D reconstruction or simulation calculation method, and provides the capacity for human occupant and pedestrian simulation as well. The model applies to any type of vehicle having left-side and right-side wheels, including passenger cars, pickups, vans, sport-utility vehicles, trucks, trailers, dollies and barriers.

General Procedure

To use the Vehicle Editor, perform the following steps:

  1. Select Vehicle Mode.
  2. Select one or more vehicles from the Vehicle Database or from a previous HVE case.
  3. If desired, modify the properties of the selected vehicle(s) to suit the needs of the current case (sprung mass, exterior, suspensions, brakes, tires, wheels, drivetrain, steering system and brake system).

Overview of Section Four

  • Chapter 10 — Creating & Editing Vehicles describes the process of creating and editing vehicles: the Vehicle Editor dialog and Vehicle Viewer, adding new vehicles from the Vehicle Database, adding vehicles from previous cases, and selecting and editing vehicles.
  • Chapter 11 — Vehicle Model Definition provides a detailed overview of the HVE Vehicle Model parameters. It is split here by major heading:
  • Part A — Sprung Mass: Inertial Properties, Move CG, Color, Geometry File, Contact Surfaces, Belt Restraints, Airbag Restraints, Inter-vehicle Connections, Aerodynamic Drag and Body Torsion.
  • Part B — Exterior: Vehicle Exterior Dimensions and Exterior Stiffness Coefficients (A, B, Kv).
  • Part C — Suspension: Suspension Type, Roll Couple Distribution, Inter-tandem Load Transfer, Springs and Shocks, Axle Inertia, Jounce/Rebound, Spindle Axis (Alignment and Steering Stops), Camber & Half-track Tables, Anti-Pitch and Roll Steer.
  • Part D — Brakes, Tires and Wheels: Brake Assembly Parameters (and Brake Designer access), Tire Properties (Physical Data, Friction Data, Fy vs Slip Angle, Fy vs Inclination Angle, Slip vs Rolloff Tables), Wheel Location and Wheel Image.
  • Part E — Drivetrain, Steering and Brake System: Drivetrain (Engine, Transmission, Differential), Steering System Parameters, Brake System Parameters and the HVE Brake Designer overview.

Field-by-field dialog documentation verified against the current source code is maintained separately and cross-linked from the chapters above:

Next: Chapter 10 — Creating & Editing Vehicles →