Dynamics of a 3dof torsional system with a dry friction controlled path

A three-degrees of freedom semi-definite torsional system representing an automotive driveline is studied in presence of a torque converter clutch that manifests itself as a dry friction path. An analytical procedure based on the linear system theory is proposed first to establish the stick-to-slip boundaries. Smoothened and discontinuous Coulomb friction formulations are then applied to the nonlinear system, and the differential governing equations are numerically solved given harmonic torque excitation and a mean load. Time domain histories illustrating dry friction-induced stick–slip motions are predicted for different saturation torques and system parameters. Approximate analytical solutions based on distinct states are also developed and successfully compared with numerical studies. Analysis shows that the conditioning factor associated with the smoothened friction model (hyperbolic tangent) must be carefully selected. Then nonlinear frequency responses are constructed from cyclic time histories and the stick–slip boundaries predictions (as yielded by the linear system theory) are confirmed. In particular, the effect of secondary inertia is analytically and numerically investigated. Results show that the secondary inertia has a significant influence on the dynamic response. A quasi-discontinuous oscillation is found with the conventional bi-linear friction model in which the secondary inertia is ignored. Finally, our methods are successfully compared with two benchmark analytical and experimental studies, as available in the literature on two-degrees of freedom translational systems.