Infinite Plane

Infinite plane for contact modeling

Since R2020b

Libraries:
Simscape / Multibody / Curves and Surfaces

Description

The Infinite Plane block creates an infinite plane that you can use to model contact problems. You can model contacts between the plane and various types of geometries. For the supported geometries, see Supported Geometries. In addition, the Infinite Plane block supports the Custom Tire Force and Torque and Magic Formula Tire Force and Torque blocks.

You must use the positive normal side of the plane for contact, which is in the direction indicated by the blue axis of the frame. Otherwise, the contacting part will be ejected to the positive side through the plane.

Infinite Plane

The Infinite Plane block is useful in planar contact modeling. For example, the Infinite Plane block is much more effective at modeling a ground plane than the Brick Solid block.

Infinite Plane Example

Ports

Frame

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R — Reference frame
frame

Infinite plane reference frame. Connect this frame to another block to specify the location and orientation of the infinite plane.

Geometry

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G — Geometry
frame

Geometry that represents the plane defined by this block. Connect this port to a Spatial Contact Force block to model contacts with supported geometries.

Parameters

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Graphic

Type — Visual representation of plane
`Rectangle` (default) | `None`

Visual representation of the plane. Set this parameter to Rectangle to show the visual representation of the infinite plane as a rectangle with dash-line boundaries. Set this parameter to None to eliminate the plane from the model visualization.

Width (X) — Width of plane visual representation
1 `m` (default) | positive integer

Width of the plane's visual representation. Note that the actual plane has infinite size.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Type to Rectangle.

Height (Y) — Height of plane visual representation
1 `m` (default) | positive integer

Height of the plane's visual representation. Note that the actual plane has infinite size.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Type to Rectangle.

Visual Properties — Parameterizations for color and opacity
`Simple` (default) | `Advanced`

Parameterizations for specifying visual properties. Select Simple to specify diffuse color and opacity. Select Advanced to specify more visual properties, such as Specular Color, Ambient Color, Emissive Color, and Shininess.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Type to Rectangle.

Diffuse Color — Graphic color
[0.5 0.5 0.5] (default) | three-element vector | four-element vector

Color of the graphic under direct white light, specified as an [R G B] or [R G B A] vector on a 0–1 scale. An optional fourth element (A) specifies the color opacity on a scale of 0–1. Omitting the opacity element is equivalent to specifying a value of 1.