Abstract Modeling of contact interaction at a synovial joint involves irregular mating bones separated by a soft cartilage layer, conventionally modeled using Finite Element. This work proposes an alternative simplified model, to emulate the contact mechanics between mating bones and cartilage layer. The concept of the model is explained using an example of a ball dropped in a fixed bowl lined with a cartilage layer. The surface geometries of the ball and bowl are represented as point clouds. Multibond graph submodels have been developed for the system comprising the mechanics of the soft cartilage undergoing interaction between the rigid body mechanics of the ball and the bowl. The functional role of the intervening cartilage layer is modeled by nonlinear stiffness and damping characteristics. Contribution of varying contact areas in the development of forces is considered. Numerical simulation based on the bond graph model validates that this alternative model captures the behavior of the cartilage layer effectively during contact interaction. In addition, it holds significant promise for other applications in biomechanics and robotics.

中文翻译：

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滑膜关节处交配骨与软关节软骨接触相互作用的替代模型

摘要 滑膜关节处接触相互作用的建模涉及由软软骨层分隔的不规则配对骨骼，通常使用有限元建模。这项工作提出了一种替代的简化模型，以模拟交配骨骼和软骨层之间的接触力学。该模型的概念是通过一个球落入一个内衬软骨层的固定碗中的例子来解释的。球和碗的表面几何形状表示为点云。已经为系统开发了多键图子模型，该系统包括经历球和碗的刚体力学之间相互作用的软软骨的力学。介入软骨层的功能作用通过非线性刚度和阻尼特性建模。考虑了不同接触区域对力发展的贡献。基于键合图模型的数值模拟验证了该替代模型在接触交互过程中有效地捕获了软骨层的行为。此外，它还对生物力学和机器人学的其他应用具有重要意义。