A Simulation Method for Automotive Door Jitter Containment

This article describes multi-body dynamics simulation to investigate door jitter issues caused by the limiter during door operations. A simulation model integrating a rigid limiter and a flexible door-body system was developed to replicate the dynamic process of wide-angle door opening/closing. Through iterative refinements—including correlation of simulation results with test data, optimization of internal door connection methods, and solid-element hinge modeling—simulation accuracy was improved to over 89.7%. Using the validated model, quantitative metrics were established to evaluate door jitter severity. Key parameters that influence the door operation smoothness were identified, and an optimization scheme was proposed for a specific vehicle model, incorporating slope-holding performance requirements under hill-parking conditions. Finally, prototype testing validated the approach’s effectiveness. The developed simulation method provides a technical foundation for virtually resolving door jitter issues during vehicle development.