Study of crankshaft system's dynamic characteristics based on virtual prototyping

Using multi-body dynamics analysis and actual working conditions, the 3D model and virtual prototyping of crankshaft of a four-cylinder engine consisting of both the flexible bodies and the rigid bodies were established. And the velocity, acceleration and displacement were obtained through dynamic simulation. At the same time the loadings exerting on crankpins, taken as force boundary conditions of finite element analysis, and load spectrum, taken as load spectrum of fatigue life calculation simplified, were gained. Then the modal analysis and fatigue life of the crankshaft using S-N method were respectively calculated,and according to the simulated results, the given improvements offered some reliable suggestions for the crankshaft system's design.