*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.