Powertrain Control for Active Damping of Driveline Oscillations

When a vehicle is subjected to acceleration or disturbances, the elasticity of the various components in the driveline may cause torsional vibrations which can result in an oscillating vehicle speed. These driveline oscillations are also known as shuffle and are low frequency oscillations corresponding to the first resonance frequency of the driveline. The oscillations give rise to, apart from material stress, noticeable lessened driveability. In this work, different ways to actively damp the oscillations are investigated. The idea is to use the engine as an actuator in order to achieve active damping, so-called active engine control. Different linear controllers are investigated and evaluated. The paper includes driveline modelling, control design and verifications by simulations, and tests in real vehicle. Implementation issues such as limited amount of available engine torque and parameter identifications are also discussed. A Linear-Quadratic-Gaussion (LQG) controller has been implemented and tested on a heavy duty truck. Results show that the LQG controller works well and active damping is achieved.     

Inverse neuro-fuzzy MR damper model and its application in vibration control of vehicle suspension system

In this paper, a magneto-rheological (MR) damper-based semi-active controller for vehicle suspension is developed. This system consists of a linear quadratic Gauss (LQG) controller as the system controller and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) inverse model as the damper controller. First, a modified Bouc–Wen model is proposed to characterise the forward dynamic characteristics of the MR damper based on the experimental data. Then, an inverse MR damper model is built using ANFIS technique to determine the input current so as to gain the desired damping force. Finally, a quarter-car suspension model together with the MR damper is set up, and a semi-active controller composed of the LQG controller and the ANFIS inverse model is designed. Simulation results demonstrate that the desired force can be accurately tracked using the ANFIS technique and the semi-active controller can achieve competitive performance as that of active suspension.     

Active Roll Control of Single Unit Heavy Road Vehicles

Summary Strategies are investigated for controlling active anti-roll systems in single unit heavy road vehicles, so as to maximise roll stability. The achievable roll stability improvements that can be obtained by applying active anti-roll torques to truck suspensions are discussed. Active roll control strategies are developed, based on linear quadratic controllers. It is shown that an effective controller can be designed using the LQG approach, combined with the loop transfer recovery method to ensure adequate stability margins. A roll controller is designed for a torsionally flexible single unit vehicle, and the vehicle response to steady-state and transient cornering manoeuvres is simulated. It is concluded that roll stability can be improved by between 26% and 46% depending on the manoeuvre. Handling stability is also improved significantly.     

Improved optimal controller for start-up of amt trucks in consideration of driver’s intention

A linear-quadratic optimal controller is proposed for vehicle start-up, which is designed as a linear feedback form of the states and the measured (estimated) disturbances. The requirements of less friction loss and less driveline shock are represented by the weighting matrices of the cost function. The driver’s intension is also considered and the controller gains are adjusted on-line accordingly. The designed control strategy is tested on a complete powertrain simulation model. Through large amount of simulations, it is verified that the system is robust to the variations of driving conditions, such as variation of vehicle mass and road grade. It is also shown that the control performance is influenced greatly by the estimation error of engine torque and clutch torque, and the acceptable level of mean estimation error is about ±10%.     

Observer-based clutch disengagement control during gear shift process of automated manual transmission

A clutch disengagement strategy is proposed for the shift control of automated manual transmissions. The control strategy is based on a drive shaft torque observer. With the estimated drive shaft torque, the clutch can be disengaged as fast as possible without large driveline oscillations, which contributes to the reduction of total shift time and shift shock. The proposed control strategy is tested on a complete powertrain simulation model. It is verified that the system is robust to the variations of driving conditions, such as vehicle mass and road grade. It is also demonstrated that the revised system with switched gain can provide satisfactory performance even under large estimation error of the engine torque.     

基于SIMULINK的车辆主动悬架LQG控制仿真研究

通过建立1／4车辆模型,应用最优控制理论进行了车辆主动悬架的LQG(Linear Quadratic Gaussian)控制器的设计,并在Matlab／Simulink环境中建立系统模型并进行仿真,将仿真结果与被动悬架仿真结果进行对比分析。仿真结果表明,具有LQG控制器的主动悬架对车辆行驶平顺性和乘坐舒适性的改善有良好的效果。     

Development and implementation of a torque vectoring algorithm for an innovative 4WD driveline for a high-performance vehicle

The sporting spirit that characterises a high-performance car can be observed in certain technical solutions. The power distribution on the rear wheels is the simplest example of that. It is well known that rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles are more fun to drive and faster in their reactions. Unfortunately, they are also less intuitive and harder to control because of their natural oversteering behaviour. The idea of maintaining an RWD driveline in the future is not farseeing, because it would imply an excessive tyre dimension increasing to let the driver use all engine power in many cornering and low-friction conditions. The choice of adopting a part-time all-wheel drive (AWD) driveline comes from the will of enhancing the overall performance by using all the available friction every time that it is needed. It has to be kept into account that a normally aspirated motor of a sport car can supply 500–600 Hp nowadays, and that it will supply 700–800 Hp in the very near future. However, the proposed driveline has not to worsen the weight characteristics (mass and load distribution) that make an RWD vehicle better than other cars. Because of all these considerations and constraints, a new driveline system has been designed. It derives from an RWD driveline with a semi-active differential, to which has been added a controlled wet clutch that directly connects the engine to the front differential. This device allows the drive torque to be distributed between the two axles. It can be understood that in such a device, the torque distribution does not depend only on the central clutch action, but also on the engaged gear. Because of this particular layout, this system can not work in the whole gear range because of thermal problems due to kinematical reasons. So the centre clutch controller has to consider the gear position too. The control algorithms development was carried out using a vehicle model, which can precisely simulate the handling response, the powertrain dynamic, and the actuation system behaviour. Such a modelling precision required the development of a customised powertrain model library in Matlab/Simulink.     

基于Simulink的车辆主动悬架LQG控制器的设计

建立了二自由度1/4车体的数学模型,并利用线性最优化控制理论进行了汽车主动悬架的LQG控制器设计,并在Matlab/Simulink环境下进行仿真,结果表明具有LQG控制器的主动悬架对车辆行驶平稳性和乘坐舒适性有了很大的改善。     

Designing a non-linear tracking controller for vehicle active suspension systems using an optimization process

In this paper, a new non-linear tracking controller for vehicle active suspension systems is analytically designed using an optimization process. The proposed scheme employs a realistic non-linear quarter-car model, which is composed of a hardening spring and a quadratic damping force. The control input is the external active suspension force and is determined by minimizing a performance index defined as a weighted combination of conflicting objectives, namely ride quality, handling performance and control energy. A linear skyhook model with standard parameters is used as the reference model to be tracked by the controller. The robustness of the proposed controller in the presence of modeling uncertainties is investigated. The performed analysis and the simulation results indicate that both vehicle ride comfort and handling performance can be improved using the minimum external force when the proposed non-linear controller is engaged with the model. Meanwhile, a compromise between different objectives and control energy can easily be made by regulating their respective weighting factors, which are the free parameters of the control law.     

Structured H2 Optimization of Vehicle Suspensions Based on Multi-Wheel Models

Summary Various control techniques, especially LQG optimal control, have been applied to the design of active and semi-active vehicle suspensions over the past several decades. However passive suspensions remain dominant in the automotive marketplace because they are simple, reliable, and inexpensive. The force generated by a passive suspension at a given wheel can depend only on the relative displacement and velocity at that wheel, and the suspension parameters for the left and right wheels are usually required to be equal. Therefore, a passive vehicle suspension can be viewed as a decentralized feedback controller with constraints to guarantee suspension symmetry. In this paper, we cast the optimization of passive vehicle suspensions as structure-constrained LQG/H2 optimal control problems. Correlated road random excitations are taken as the disturbance inputs; ride comfort, road handling, suspension travel, and vehicle-body attitude are included in the cost outputs. We derive a set of necessary conditions for optimality and then develop a gradient-based method to efficiently solve the structure-constrained H2 optimization problem. An eight-DOF four-wheel-vehicle model is studied as an example to illustrate application of the procedure, which is useful for design of both passive suspensions and active suspensions with controller-structure constraints.     

Novel coordinated algorithm for Traction Control System on split friction and slope road

A Traction Control System (TCS) is used to avoid excessive wheel-slip via adjusting active brake pressure and engine torque when vehicle starts fiercely. The split friction and slope of the road are complicated conditions for TCS. Once operated under these conditions, the traction control performance of the vehicle might be deteriorated and the vehicle might lack drive capability or lose lateral stability, if the regulated active brake pressure and engine torque can’t match up promptly and effectively. In order to solve this problem, a novel coordinated algorithm for TCS is brought forward. Firstly, two brake controllers, including a basic controller based on the friction difference between the two drive wheels for compensating this difference and a fuzzy logic controller for assisting the engine torque controller to adjust wheel-slip, are presented for brake control together. And then two engine torque controllers, containing a basic PID controller for wheel-slip control and a fuzzy logic controller for compensating torque needed by the road slope, are built for engine torque control together. Due to the simultaneous and accurate coordination of the two regulated variables the controlled vehicle can start smoothly. The vehicle test and simulation results on various road conditions have testified that the proposed method is effective and robust.     

An Optimal Self-Tuning Controller for an Active Suspension

An optimal self-tuning control algorithm is presented for vehicle suspension design. The controller, incorporating a weighting controller, state observer and parameter estimator, is designed according to linear optimal control (LQG) theory. Based on the updated estimates of vehicle parameters and states, and the adapted weighting parameters, the LQG controller provides the optimal set of gains over different operating conditions. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed self-tuning system was investigated and proved by simulation studies.     

Idle speed controller based on active disturbance rejection control in diesel engines

This study proposes a design for an idle speed controller to compensate for varying engine load and friction torque in passenger car diesel engines. An active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) framework, comprised of a disturbance compensator and a feedback controller, is applied to an idle speed controller to compensate for disturbances such as engine load and friction torque. In addition, a feedforward compensator is designed into the ADRC framework to improve disturbance rejection performance. The proposed controller is validated by engine and vehicle experiments and the experiment results are compared with a commercial controller.     

重型汽车传动系结构参数设计

分析了基于发动机特性场的重型汽车传动系结构参数设计的原则，讨论了传动系各速比设计的评价目标和方法。通过对最大传动比、最小传动比、中间速比设计原则的讨论，阐述了传动系主要结构参数的设计思路。以某车型已确定的发动机特性场为例，根据使用要求，着重分析了在按照国家标准和实际使用情况下提高燃油经济性的传动系结构参数优化。     

汽车转向与悬架系统的集成控制研究

在建立了汽车转向与悬架系统的综合模型的基础上,运用一种具有扩展的调节器结构LQG控制方法,设计了 主动悬架控制器,实现对车身横摆角速度、车身垂直加速度、车身侧倾角和俯仰角的集成控制,从而显著提高汽车的 平顺性、操纵稳定性和安全性。     

复合功率分流系统发动机起动H∞鲁棒优化控制

为改善复合功率分流混合动力系统纯电动至混合动力模式切换过程的车辆驾驶平顺性,同时确保在模型不确定和外部干扰条件下切换控制的鲁棒性,本文中提出了一种发动机起动H∞鲁棒控制策略。首先,建立复合功率分流混合动力系统动力学模型,并对纯电动至混合动力模式切换过程进行分析。其次,以车辆驾驶平顺性和发动机起动时间为优化指标,通过动态规划求解发动机最优拖转转速曲线。然后,考虑到输入轴阻尼参数摄动、驾驶员输入、道路负载、输出端转速的不确定性变化和发动机转速量测噪声的干扰,设计了发动机起动H∞鲁棒控制器。最后,通过离线仿真和台架试验对所提出的控制策略进行验证。结果表明,该策略能有效将冲击度降低至11.52 m/s^3以内,同时对模型不确定性和外部干扰有较强的抑制能力。     

并联混合动力汽车扭转减振器性能仿真分析

为改善并联混合动力汽车传动系统的扭振特性,开展了扭转减振器的结构及仿真分析研究。对并联混合动力汽车传动系现有扭转减振器进行分析,提出了一种具有新型结构的弧形弹簧式从动盘扭转减振器;针对某款车型建立 8 自由度集中质量模型,采用 AMESim 仿真软件搭建仿真模型;通过对离合器从动盘扭转减振器、双质量飞轮和弧形弹簧式从动盘扭转减振器 3 种不同结构减振器的扭振特性进行仿真对比,分析了它们在典型工况下的扭振特性,并对扭转刚度和迟滞力矩进行了灵敏度分析。结果表明,弧形弹簧式从动盘扭转减振器能保证较短的发动机启动时间,且拥有较好的减振特性;在混合驱动行驶工况下扭转减振器的减振效果与扭转刚度及迟滞力矩的大小呈负相关。     

Generalized magnetorheological (MR) damper model and its application in semi-active control of vehicle suspension system

In this paper, analytical characterization of the magneto-rheological (MR) damper is done using a new modified algebraic model. Algebraic model is also more preferable because of its low computational expenses compared to differential Bouc-Wen’s model which is highly computationally demanding. This model along with the obtained model parameters is used as a semi-active suspension device in a quarter car model and the stationary response of the vehicle traversing on a rough road is obtained. The control part consists of two nested controllers. One of them is the system controller which generates the desired damping force and the other is the damper controller which adjusts the voltage level to MR damper so as to track the desired damping force. For the system controller a model reference skyhook Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) is used and for the damper controller a continuous state algorithm is built to determine the input voltage so as to gain the desired damping force. The analytical model is subsequently used in the quarter car vehicle model and the vehicular responses are studied. A simulation study is performed to prove the effectiveness and robustness of the semi-active control approach. Results show that the semi-active controller can achieve compatible performance as that of active suspension controller except for a little deterioration.     

Vibration Control of a Passenger Vehicle Utilizing a Semi-Active ER Engine Mount

This paper presents vibration control of a passenger vehicle using an electronically controllable electro-rheological (ER) engine mount. A mixed-mode ER engine mount operating under the flow and shear modes is devised and manufactured. After establishing the dynamic model of the proposed ER engine mount, both field-dependent displacement transmissibility and dynamic stiffness of the ER engine mount are empirically evaluated. The ER engine mount is then incorporated with a full-vehicle model in order to investigate vibration control performance at the driver's seat position. The governing equation of motion of the full-vehicle model is formulated by considering engine excitation force, followed by designing a skyhook controller to attenuate unwanted vibration. The controller is implemented through a hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS), and control responses such as acceleration level at idle speed are evaluated in the frequency and time domains.     

Vibration Control of a Passenger Vehicle Utilizing a Semi-Active ER Engine Mount

This paper presents vibration control of a passenger vehicle using an electronically controllable electro-rheological (ER) engine mount. A mixed-mode ER engine mount operating under the flow and shear modes is devised and manufactured. After establishing the dynamic model of the proposed ER engine mount, both field-dependent displacement transmissibility and dynamic stiffness of the ER engine mount are empirically evaluated. The ER engine mount is then incorporated with a full-vehicle model in order to investigate vibration control performance at the driver's seat position. The governing equation of motion of the full-vehicle model is formulated by considering engine excitation force, followed by designing a skyhook controller to attenuate unwanted vibration. The controller is implemented through a hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS), and control responses such as acceleration level at idle speed are evaluated in the frequency and time domains.