Warning: Remember to change your working directory before you begin this lesson.

If you do not,
Adams may not work correctly. Also remember to move everything you wish to keep from the working
directory before you log off. See the Opening Files tutorial for more information.

Connection Types
The ADAMS/Car model uses idealized joints and bushing for connections. Idealized joints are
rigid joints with specified degrees of freedom. Bushings allow for a connection to flex and have
a property file containing stiffness properties.
ADAMS/Car has several joints that are used to model rigid connections between parts. The
following table from the help file lists the types of joint available and the degrees of freedom.
This table can be found in the help file at:
ADAMS/Car>Working with Components>Attachments>Joints
Joint name:

Number of
DOF:

Translational

Translation of one part with respect to another while all axes are co-directed.

Revolute

Rotation of one part with respect to another along a common axis.

Cylindrical

Translation and rotation of one part with respect to another.

Spherical

Three rotations of one part with respect to the other while keeping two points, one on
each part, coincident.

Planar

The x-y plane of one part slides with respect to another.

Fixed

No motion of any part with respect to another.

Inline

One translational and three rotational motions of one part with respect to another.

Inplane

Two translational and three rotational motions of one part with respect to another.

Orientation

Constrains the orientation of one part with respect to the orientation of another one,
leaving the translational degrees of freedom free.

Parallel_axes

Three translational and one rotational motions of one part with respect to another.

Perpendicular

Three translational and two rotational motions of one part with respect to another.

Convel

Two rotations of one part with respect to the other while remaining coincident and
maintaining a constant velocity through the spin axes.

Hooke

Two rotations of one part with respect to the other while remaining coincident.

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Type of motion DOFs allow:

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To see the connection types found in a model use the Highlight Connectivity tool. This allows
you to view the connections in the database navigator and see the connection type. When a
connection is selected ADAMS/Car highlights the two parts connected. To use click
Tools>Highlight Connectivity.

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When the Highlight Connectivity window appears select the connection type from the drop down
menu. Double click the empty box next to the connection type to bring up the Database
Navigator. In the case below the Joint connection type is selected.

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In the Database Navigator double click next to the subsystem to expand and see the joints and
types. Below the FSAE model front suspension is expanded. The names on the left are the joint
names in the subsystem. To the right are the joint types for that name. Notice the outer pushrod
connection is a Spherical Joint and the pushrod connection to the bellcrank is a Hooke Joint.

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Bushings are used to provide a connection with six degrees of freedom allowing transmission of
forces and moments. It is essentially a three-dimensional spring damper. Information found in
the bushing property file specifies the stiffness and dampening of the bushing. On the FSAE and
Mini-Baja models bushings are found at the inboard control arm connections. When you modify
the inboard hardpoints for a control arm the bushings automatically align to prevent the control
arm from binding. For demonstration the front lower control arm below was angled in the
plane by lowering the front connection and raising the rear. After modifying the bushings
aligned to allow for smooth motion.

Raised
Bushing

Lowered
Bushing

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To modify bushings right click on the bushing and select Bushing:>Modify.

Click the graph icon to view the property file in the Curve Manager.

Click to view the property file in the curve manager

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The translational stiffnesses are shown by default. To view the rotational stiffnesses select the
dropdown menu under the main menu. Dampening values are found on the bottom left. The
curves can be modified by dragging points on the curve.

To edit the curve in tabular from click View, Table.

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Warning: Remember to change your working directory before you begin this lesson. If you do not,
Adams may not work correctly. Also remember to move everything you wish to keep from the working
directory before you log off. See the Opening Files tutorial for more information.

Version 1.0

6/18/2008