International Newsletter vol.42 2011/1 1.31.2011 FORUM8 Co., Ltd. http://www.forum8.com/
|
New Product Information - UC-win/Road Ver.5.1 |
Improved
vehicle dynamics model |
Increased realism in the
representation of vehicle dynamics
The driving simulation in
UC-win/Road was improved through the refined vehicle dynamics model (a
four-wheeled vehicle). Increased realism in the representation of vehicle
dynamics has been enabled through the implementation of models ranging from
whole vehicle movement to engine and power train system from the engine to the
wheels. Following situations can be visualized with the new version of the
software.
Car skidding: Representation of understeer and
oversteer is possible.
Understeer: This is a phenomenon where
a car does not turn in the same way unless the driver input greater steering
compared with a low-speed driving. (Figure 1), when the car is running at high
speed,. Cars may not be able to make a turn when the driver turns the
steering wheel when the speed is too high and it is not possible to drive
safely.
|
Figure 1:Understeer condition |
Oversteer: This is a phenomenon where rear
wheels slip while making the turn and tends to cause an abrupt, sudden
turn.
Slip to the front and the back direction:
The representation of vehicle's slip to the front and the back direction
has been made possible. It is a phenomenon caused by a sudden start or
a sudden brake on a slippery road surface. Acceleration performance is
decreased by the slip and the result is a longer braking distance.
Grip performance according to road surface tire properties:
You can set the coefficient of friction of the road surface and can reproduce
various road surface conditions. Now you can configure vehicle's driving
properties on snow, water and ice, as well as on a dry road surface condition.
(Figure 2) In addition, you can set the differences - the grip between
white line and road surface too. As you can set the coefficient of friction
for each vehicle according to the setting of the road surface, the characteristic
of each vehicle can be reproduced in detail. In reality, you have to run
in consideration of regulation speed, the road surface conditions and the
characteristic of the car. The newly released function allows driving in
a condition which is close to the real driving conditions by reproducing
the tire slip.
|
Figure2:Relation between braking distance and road surface
condition |
Smooth gear shift: Gear change by manual
operation is now possible together with an improved model of the automatic gear
change. Smoother change of the engine number of revolutions is realized as
compared to the existing versions.
|
Figure3:In UC-win/Road Ver.5.0 or previous versions, change of RPM at the
shift-up was sudden |
|
Figure4:From UC-win/Road Ver.5.1 change of RPM at the shift-up has become
moderate by internal clutch
work |
Fidelity of the wheel revolving speed: We
have made enabled the calculation of revolving speed for each of the wheel. It
allows us to represent the different revolving conditions of the outer and inner
wheels, as well as locked wheels and are skidding on the road surfaces when the
strong braking is applied.
Reverse run: A reverse run has been enabled in the vehicle dynamics
model.
Choice of the vehicle dynamics model: You can choose from a variety of models from the existing
dynamics model and newly developed models.
Models can be selected according to user's needs, such as models for inexperienced
users or experience simulator for children.
|
Structure of
vehicle dynamics model |
The following parts are modeled in UC-win/Road.
Engine: Engine torque is calculated based on the operation of
the accelerator pedal. Acceleration timing and engine braking is represented
with the biggest and the smallest torque and the two curves. In UC-win/Road 5.1,
you can edit the curve of the smallest torque (engine
braking).
Clutch: Clutch is a device to connect the axis of
transmission with the axis of engine. It conveys torque from the engine to the
transmission partially or fully according to the state of the clutch. When the
clutch is cut-off, the engine revolves freely. On the contrary, the revolving
speed of the wheel is associated with that of the engine when the clutch is
connected. Therefore, the power conveyed to the transmission and the number of
revolutions is calculated according to the state of the clutch.
Transmission: Engine power is conveyed to the next
differential gearing with a certain ratio. Each gear inside the car can be
reproduced.
Automatic clutch control: It is a module to
control the state of the clutch and choosing the gear. A behavior model of the
cars in UC-win/Road is close to that of a car with a manual transmission;
however, an automatic clutch device has been implemented to reproduce an
automatic car. It controls the clutch and the transmission of a manual
transmission car automatically. In addition, users can operate a shift-up and
the shift-down depending on the situation such as start, braking and normal
driving.
Differentials: Differences between the speed of the
inside wheel and that of the outside wheel occurs when a car makes a turn at the
curve. Differential gearing is used to distribute one torque output by the
engine and allows each wheel can at different speed. More torque is transmitted
to the wheels with lesser resistance. When a car make a turn, the outside wheel
advances faster than the inside wheel. As a result, because an outside wheel has
little resistance from the road surface causes, the torque is conveyed a lot to
an outside wheel. The left side wheel are driving on the frozen surface while
the right is on the dry one, the left wheels will slip and revolves
faster.
Structure of differentials:
The number of differentials differs depending on car types. For the transmission
of engine torque both to front wheels and to rear wheels(in 4 wheels drive
car), a differential is used to distribute torque to front wheels and rear
wheels and 2 differentials are used to distribute to right and left at
front and rear. For the transmission of engine torque only to front wheels
or to rear wheels, only one differential is required. Transmitting torque
to the front wheels is called "front-front(FF)" and to the rear
wheels is called "front-rear(FR)".
Wheels: Torque produced by the engine reaches the wheel
through transmission devices. As well as the torque, braking torque and torque
by the friction of the road surface turn a wheel at a certain speed. In
addition, the power exists which is caused by apply on the road surface by this
revolutionary wheels.
Seeing from a road surface (seeing from the outside), road surface applies
power to each wheel and the power reaches and moves the vehicle. If the
power of the right and the left is different, opposite forces in equilibrium
act and the car make a turn.
Position of the gravity center: You can set the position of the gravity center in
UC-win/Road.Since the gravity adapted to each wheel changes depending on the
change of the position, the frictional force of the wheel changes accordingly.
For example, the distinction of the FR (front-rear) car and the MR (middle-rear)
car is possible by changing the position of the gravity center. Engine is placed
at the front of the car in FR, and placed at the center in MR. Because an engine
is heavy, the position of the gravity center of the vehicle changes by the
position where the engine is placed.
-
|
Figure5:Vehicle dynamics model of UC-win/Road |
|
Curve of friction coefficient This is a curve to define frictional force occurring between tires and
road surface. There are a lot of physical models for the calculation of the
frictional forces to vehicles, which reproduces the sliding of tires ranging
from complicated finite element method to relatively simple coulomb friction
law,.
The curve of the coefficient of friction by the slip ratio (Slip
Ratio) is used in UC-win/Road. You can edit this curve and set the condition of
various road surfaces because it is used as an attribute of the road surface.
The slip ratio expresses differences between speed and surface speed of the tire
outside of the vehicle. The expression of the slip ratio is as follows:
You can see the value of the slip ratio is ranging from -1 to +1. The slip
ratio becomes 0 when the speed of the vehicle is equal to the speed of
the tire surface, that signifies the car does not slip. When the speed
of the tire surface is faster than the speed of the vehicle, the tire is
slipping and the slip ratio becomes bigger than 0. Usually, when the value is [-0.1. 0.1.], cars are not supposed to slip and
a coefficient of friction becomes linear depending on the slip ratio. The
value of the slip ratio is bigger than 0.1, the car is accelerating while
slipping and the coefficient of friction becomes the approximate constant value.
In addition, when the value is smaller than -0.1, the car is slowing down while
slipping and the coefficient of friction becomes the approximate constant value
(Figure 6).
|
Figure 6:Typical curve of friction coefficient |
Engine You can set
the biggest torque and the smallest torque of the engine (Figure 7). In
addition, the moment of inertia of the engine is necessary to calculate the
revolution speed of the engine. You can also set the moment of inertia of the
engine.
|
Figure 7:Curve of the graph- Green: biggest torque, red: smallest
torque; engine braking |
Gear setting You can set the ratio of each gear and the ratio of the reverse
gear by setting the gearbox. You can choose the mode of the gear change from
automatic to manual.
Constitution of the differential gearing You can choose the constitution of the differential gearing to
set how the engine power reaches the wheels. Representing the FF or FR of 2WD,
or 4WD is possible.
Final drive ratio and transmission performance You can set the final drive ratio and transmission performance with this
parameter.
Moment of inertia of yaw angle This is a parameter
to use for the calculation of the turn of the car. If the moment of inertia
becomes big, the reaction of the car becomes slow.
Position of the gravity center You can set the position of the mass (position of the
engine, position of the passenger) by setting the position of the gravity
center.
Distribution of braking power You can now set the
ratio of the brakes stress of front wheels and rear
wheels.
Wheels
This is a parameter used for the calculation of the number of revolutions
of the wheel by moment of inertia. If the moment of inertia becomes bigger,
the reaction of the wheel becomes slower. You can also set friction coefficient
caused by the rolling wheels and wheel radius.
|
Improved
crash representation |
In the previous versions, when the car hit the road-side fence, the car
returned to the carriageway in the same driving direction and slowed down. In
the new improved version of the program, a process was implemented to apply
force to the car and hence, the car does not go out of the road shoulder when
the car touches the fence. This allows the checking of the suspension work and
the representation of the effect of the car's hitting the wall, because the
force is applied without making a sudden change to the driving direction and
speed. We will improve this process and develop the judgment of the contact with
other vehicles.
|
Friction coefficient is necessary to calculate the friction which occurs
between wheels and road surface, For the calculation, the curve of friction
coefficient by slip ratio is used and this curve is set as an attribute of road
surface. Only the friction ratio must be set for each vehicle. The final
friction coefficient is calculated by multiplying the friction coefficient
curves of the current road surface by the friction ratio of the vehicle.
Settings of the road surface can be set for an individual texture which is used
for the road cross section. You can obtain fine effects by setting the texture
of lines and white lines of each traffic lane of the driving carriageway.
(Figure 8). In future development, we are going to make a vehicle to drive along
the surface other than that of the carriageway.
|
Figure 8:Difference of the friction ratio of road surface |
|
With UC-win/Road 5.1, you can now set lightings in the tunnel space (Fig.
9). You can set the color and intensity of illumination for each tunnel. All you
have to do is to apply the settings to one item and the intensity of light
varies according to the brightness of the color.
With the tunnel lighting
functions, it has become possible to distinguish between tunnel lighting and the
external solar lighting, which implied increased realism in visual
representations. The illumination in the tunnel is applied to the vehicle
driving inside the tunnel and road-side facilities. Representation of the
vehicle's cockpit and the entrance of the tunnel of have been improved
especially.(Fig. 10, 11). However, in this version, if you place other models in
the tunnel, the tunnel lighting effect does not work.
|
|
|
|
|
Fig. 9 Tunnel editor; setting window Color:
white, intensity medium |
|
Fig. 10 View at the entrance of tunnel |
|
Fig. 11 More realistic representation
of driver's cockpit |
|
UC-win/Road 5.1 can now load and visualize the result of traffic flow
analysis of VISSIM. VISSIM, a traffic simulation software developed by PTV, is
an integrated solution which can combine pedestrian and vehicle traffic.(URL: http://www.vissim.de).
Using Micro
Simulation Player, users can read ANI.TXT file of VISSIM into UC-win/Road. After
reading the results of the simulation, set the position to display the
simulation result and choose models to show vehicles and pedestrians. Finally,
you can operate the reproduction of the traffic simulation result like a movie
file and can check the traffic situation in 3D space (figure 12).
|
Figure 12:UC-win/Road 5.1 can load and visualize the result of traffic
flow analysis of VISSIM |
|
|
(Up&Coming 2011 New Year Issue) |
Version up / Maintenance and Support Contracts for UC-win/Road Ver.5 |
Version up to UC-win/Road Ver.5
|
|
Target Version |
Current Version |
Price |
Due date |
Note |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Ultimate |
UC-win/Road Ver.4 Ultimate |
US$2,500 |
'11.03.31 |
*No charge for customers with Maintenance contract.
*The academic price is 80% of the normal price. |
UC-win/Road Ver5 Driving Sim |
UC-win/Road Ver.4 Driving Sim |
US$2,500 |
'11.03.31 |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Advanced |
UC-win/Road Ver.4 Advanced |
US$2,000 |
'11.03.31 |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Standard |
UC-win/Road Ver.4 Standard |
US$1,200 |
'11.03.31 |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Presentation |
UC-win/Road Ver.4 Presentation |
US$300 |
'11.03.31 |
|
Maintenance/Support Contracts
|
|
FORUM8 offers customer support including maintenance service on a contract
basis to further enhance customer satisfaction. We offer support without
charge for the first 12 months and offer maintenance and support on contract
basis thereafter. To continue to receive our customer support after this
one-year-free-of-charge support service expires, a maintenance or support
contract needs to be purchased. |
|
Product Name |
Maintenance |
Support
|
1 Year |
2 Year |
3 Year |
First Year |
1 Year |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Ultimate |
US$1,100 |
US$2,000 |
US$2,850 |
No charge |
US$200 |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Driving Sim |
US$1,100 |
US$2,000 |
US$2,850 |
No charge |
US$200 |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Advanced |
US$830 |
US$1,500 |
US$2,200 |
No charge |
US$200 |
UC-win/Road Ver.5 Standard |
US$660 |
US$1,200 |
US$1,710 |
No charge |
US$200 |
UC-win/Road Ver.5
Presentation Version |
US$220 |
US$400 |
US$570 |
No charge |
US$200 |
Maintenance contract enables you to receive support and free major upgrade,
amongst other benefits, as long as you pay an annual fee.
Once you have purchased the annual maintenance contract, we will be able
to arrange an upgrade of your software license and you can receive all
the support you require thereafter without extra costs.
FORUM8 offers support without charge for the first 12 months.
(The following services are applied for the users with maintenance contract.)
- Technical support over the telephone
- Technical support via "Enquiry support tool", email and FAX
- Maintenance information delivery service
- Technical information delivery service: sample data, technical reports
and instruction manuals made available on the customer support page
- Download service: latest version of software for users with maintenance
contract, free revision up software for all users
For more information, please contact our sales staff. |
|
|
Conferences, training and
seminars |
Upcoming Events |
International
Symposium on Algorithmic Design for Architecture and Urban Design
Innovations in computational design processes
are emerging worldwide. The new approach towards architectural design processes
is due to the progress in mathematical programming developed in computer
science and information technologies. ALGODE Tokyo and the workshop for students in Tokyo is to
create an opportunity for those who have been working, researching and
developing on the concept of algorithmic design. Through discussions and
sharing knowledge, this event aims to further advance theoretical research as
well as potential practical applications of algorithmic design in architecture.
AAST International Workshop
A workshop where themes ranging
from theoretical investigation of algorithmic design to its application will be
discussed by members from Japan and abroad.
FORUM8 will exhibit BIM&VR solutions and will sponsor
workshop as a platinum member.
|
Location |
Date |
Venue |
Tokyo |
ALGODE
TOKYO2011 |
March 14-15, 2011 |
AAST
International Workshop |
March 16-19, 2011 |
|
AIJ Hall Tokyo
MAP |
Organized
by |
Architectural Institute of
Japan |
URL |
http://news-sv.aij.or.jp/algode/ |
CeBIT2011
CeBIT is the digital industry's biggest,
most international event encompassing information technology, telecommunication, software and
service. Topic for each day in the event is titled as below.
March 1st:"ICT Solutions for a better world"
March 2nd:"Real Business-Real Time" & "Smart Grids"
March 3rd:"Entertainment and Mobility: Connecting real and virtual worlds"
March 4th:"Social Media; The Art of Conversation"
March 5th:Special Event; "The AppZone"
|
Location |
Date |
Venue |
Germany |
|
Hannover |
Organized
by |
Deutsche
Messe AG, Hannover, Germany. |
URL |
http://www.cebit.de/home |
|
Seminars in Shanghai,
Beijing and Seoul will be held on the following
schedule.
Venue: Shanghai - Shanghai
Seminar room (FORUM8 Technology Development(Shanghai) Co.,
Ltd) Beijing- TST-VirtualReality
(Beijing)
Seoul-FORUM 8 Korean
Office
Seminar |
Date |
City |
UC-win/Road
VR |
March 9th, 2011 |
Seoul |
May 6th, 2011 |
Shanghai |
UC-win/Road
Advanced |
February 16th,
2011 |
Seoul |
February 24th,
2011 |
Shanghai |
UC-win/Road
SDK |
February 9th,
2011 |
Seoul |
May 17th, 2011 |
Shanghai |
Engineer's
Studio(TM), Engineer's Studio(TM)(2D)) |
March 24th, 2011 |
Shanghai |
April 13th, 2011 |
Seoul |
VR-Studio(TM) |
April 7th, 2011 |
Shanghai |
UC-win/FRAME(3D) |
February 2nd,
2011 |
Seoul |
February 17th,
2011 |
Shanghai |
EXODUS / SMARTFIRE |
March 3rd, 2011 |
Shanghai |
May 10th, 2011 |
Seoul |
xpswmm |
March 16th , 2011 |
Seoul |
OSCADY/TRANSYT |
March 10th, 2011 |
Shanghai |
March 23rd, 2011 |
Seoul |
Design Builder |
March 30th, 2011 |
Seoul |
Retaining wall design Ver.2 /Temporary sheating
work design Ver.2 |
March 17th , 2011 |
Shanghai |
April 20th, 2011 |
Seoul |
Participation Fee |
Participation Fee |
Free |
For more information and applications, please email us
at
mailto:forum8@forum8.co.jp
Gross circulation: 5515
To
subscribe this page, go to http://www.forum8.co.jp/english/p-mail-e.htm
If
you would like to unsubscribe from our newsletters, please include
"Unsubscribe" in the subject title of your email and send it back to
us.
Thank you for your continued support.
FORUM8 Co., Ltd.
mailto:forum8@forum8.co.jp
2-1-1 Nakameguro GT Tower 15F Kamimeguro
Meguro-ku Tokyo 153-0051 JAPAN TEL +81-3-5773-1888 FAX
+81-3-5720-5688 http://www.forum8.com/
|