*InplaneJoint() - inplane joint (normal)

Creates an inplane joint specifying a normal to the plane of the joint.

Syntax

*InplaneJoint(joint_name,"joint_label",body_1, body_2, origin, NORMAL, POINT|VECTOR, point|vector)

Arguments

joint_name
The variable name of the inplane joint.
Data type: varname
joint_label
The descriptive label of the inplane joint.
Data type: label
body_1
The first body constrained by the inplane joint.
Data type: Body
body_2
The second body constrained by the inplane joint.
Data type: Body
origin
The location of the inplane joint for body_1.
Data type: Point
NORMAL
A required argument when a point or vector is used to define a normal to the plane of the inplane joint.
POINT|VECTOR
A keyword that indicates the alignment method.
point|vector
An entity variable referring to a Point or Vector which is based on the above keyword.
Data type: Point or Vector

Example

*Body(b_kn,       "Knuckle", p_kn_cm)
*Body(b_jack,      "Jack", p_jack_cm
*Point(p_wc,       "Wheel Center")
*Vector(v_Z,       "Global Z")
*InplaneJoint(jt1, "Inplane joint", b_kn, 
                                    b_jack, 
                                    p_wc, 
                                    NORMAL, 
                                    VECTOR, 
                                    v_Z)

Context

*BeginMdl()

*DefineAnalysis()

*DefineSystem()

Properties

Table 1.
Property Returns Data Type Description
b1 Body The first body constrained by the inplane joint.
b2 Body The second body constrained by the inplane joint.
i Marker The marker on b1.
id long integer Solver identification number.
j Marker The marker on b2.
label string The descriptive label of the inplane joint.
state boolean Control state (TRUE or FALSE).
type string Unique joint type.
varname string The variable name of the inplane joint.

Comments

An inplane joint constrains the relative motion of markers, i and j, to a plane. This plane may be defined by either specifying a normal to the plane (using the NORMAL flag for the sixth argument) or specifying three points (or vectors) lying in the plane (using the INPLANE flag for the sixth argument).

When a point is used (instead of a vector) to define an axis, it is obtained as the direction from the origin of the joint to the specified point.