A Pitch-Plane Model of a Vehicle with Controlled Suspension

A vehicle model incorporating front and rear wheel suspensions and seat suspension is presented. The suspension control includes algorithms to provide both dynamic and steady state (levelling) control. Vehicle response to (a) vertical inputs due to ground disturbances at the wheels and (b) longitudinal inputs due to the inertial forces during braking and accelerating, are investigated. It is shown that the static (self-levelling) control causes a slight deterioration in dynamic performance. The active ride control produces improvements of ride comfort under dynamic conditions compared to an equivalent passively suspended vehicle. In steady state the proposed control eliminates the error heave of the body caused by tilting of the vehicle with active suspension.     

An Experimental Study of a Prototype Active Anti-Roll Suspension System

Active roll control is known to offer substantial improvements in ride and handling performance over the most sophisticated passive suspension systems. However although many different active suspension systems have been discussed and analysed through simulation little information regarding experimental performance data from a prototype active roll control system has been published. This study focuses on the design, development, commissioning and experimental evaluation of a roll control suspension based on active anti-roll bar actuation. In tests, the prototype vehicle demonstrated excellent steady state and dynamic roll cancellation within the lateral acceleration range of 0.5g. Subjective assessments of the system confirmed the benefits of a level ride together with the added benefit accrued from the elimination of roll dynamics.     

Development of an electric active rollcontrol (ARC) algorithm for a SUV

Cornering maneuvers with reduced body roll and without loss in comfort are leading requirements for car manufacturers. An electric active roll control (ARC) system controls body roll angle with motor-driven actuators installed in the centers of the front and rear stabilizer bars. A vehicle analysis model developed using a CarSim S/W was validated using vehicle test data. Two ARC algorithms for a sports utility vehicle (SUV) were designed using a sliding-mode control algorithm based on a nonlinear roll model and an estimated lateral acceleration based on a linearized roll model. Co-simulation with the Matlab simulink controller model and the CarSim vehicle model were conducted to evaluate the performance of two ARC control algorithms. To validate the ARC performance in a real vehicle, vehicle tests were conducted at KATECH proving ground using a small SUV equipped with two ARC actuators, upper and lower controllers and a few subsystems. From the simulation and vehicle validation test results, the proposed ARC control algorithm for the developed ARC actuator prototypes improves the vehicle’s dynamic performance.     

Advanced Control Methods of Active Suspension

This paper describes new control methods for the active suspension. For improving ride comfort further, preview control rule is proposed. For improving stability further, roll stiffness distribution control rule is examined by the test vehicle. Simulations and vehicle driving tests are conducted to confirm the effect of these new control methods. The results of simulations and vehicle driving tests show in our research phase that preview control can achieve a substantial improvement in ride comfort and application of roll stiffness distribution control provides a large improvement in stability     

主动横向稳定器降低商用车侧倾的研究

将新式主动横向稳定器安装在中型货画的前轴和后轴，通过液压缸与车架连接。本文研究了该稳定器对降低车身侧倾和提高舒适性的效果。仿真分析和实车试验表明，采用前轮转角前馈控制方法，汽车转向时，稳定器产生反侧倾力矩，大幅度地降低车身侧倾。     

Advanced Control Methods of Active Suspension

SUMMARY

This paper describes new control methods for the active suspension. For improving ride comfort further, preview control rule is proposed. For improving stability further, roll stiffness distribution control rule is examined by the test vehicle. Simulations and vehicle driving tests are conducted to confirm the effect of these new control methods. The results of simulations and vehicle driving tests show in our research phase that preview control can achieve a substantial improvement in ride comfort and application of roll stiffness distribution control provides a large improvement in stability     

基于多目标粒子群优化算法的某轻型商用车操纵稳定性优化研究

针对某轻型商用车稳态回转时侧倾度偏大的问题对其悬架进行优化改进。基于ADAMS/car搭建整车多体动力学模型,通过前悬架反向平行轮跳试验、后悬架理论计算验证了悬架仿真模型的准确性。进行整车稳态回转工况和转向盘中间位置转向工况仿真分析,结果表明,车身侧倾度偏高。为实现操纵稳定性优化分析的流程自动化,提出了基于modeFRONTIER的联合仿真方法。以悬架设计参数为优化变量,以汽车的侧倾度与横摆角速度响应滞后时间为优化目标,采用拉丁超立方试验设计方法拟合得到混合代理模型,并结合多目标粒子群优化算法对悬架系统进行多目标优化,获得了悬架系统优化方案。优化结果显示,在不影响平顺性的前提下,汽车车身侧倾度降低了13.93%,横摆角速度响应滞后时间降低了2.75%,整车操纵稳定性得到了提升。     

Nonlinear Backstepping Active Suspension Design Applied to a Half-Car Model

A fresh nonlinear backstepping design scheme, which is developed for the control of half-car active suspension systems to improve the inherent tradeoff between ride quality and suspension travel, is proposed in this paper. Since ride quality is dependent on a combination of vertical and angular displacements of a vehicle body, the design of active suspensions must have the potential to minimize heave and pitch movements in order to guarantee the ride comfort of passengers. The other important factor to be emphasized in the design of active suspensions is the suspension travel which means the space variation between the car body and the tires. In order to avoid damaging vehicle components and generating more passenger discomfort, the active suspension controllers must be capable of preventing the suspension from hitting its travel limits. Our design strategy, with two intentionally additional nonlinear filters, shows the potential to achieve these conflicting control objectives. The novelty of our active suspension design is in the use of two particular nonlinear filters at both the front and rear wheels. The effective bandwidths of these two nonlinear filters depend on the magnitudes of the front and rear suspension travels, individually. When suspension travel is small, the proposed controllers soften the suspension for enhancing passenger comfort. However, our control design shifts its attention to rattlespace utilization by stiffening the suspension when suspension travel approaches its limits. As a result, the improvement of tradeoff between ride quality and suspension travel can be guaranteed and is then demonstrated through comparative simulations.     

基于正交试验的虚拟样车平顺性分析及参数选择

利用多体力学理论,在机械系统动力学分析软件ADAMS中建立了某车的整车多体力学模型。将虚拟样车在三维空间道路上进行平顺性仿真试验,通过正交试验方法研究了前、后悬架弹簧刚度及相关主要衬套等性能参数对汽车行驶平顺性的影响,并根据正交试验的结果优选了相应的设计参数。     

Roll and pitch independently tuned interconnected suspension: modelling and dynamic analysis

In this paper, a roll and pitch independently tuned hydraulically interconnected passive suspension is presented. Due to decoupling of vibration modes and the improved lateral and longitudinal stability, the stiffness of individual suspension spring can be reduced for improving ride comfort and road grip. A generalised 14 degree-of-freedom nonlinear vehicle model with anti-roll bars is established to investigate the vehicle ride and handling dynamic responses. The nonlinear fluidic model of the hydraulically interconnected suspension is developed and integrated with the full vehicle model to investigate the anti-roll and anti-pitch characteristics. Time domain analysis of the vehicle model with the proposed suspension is conducted under different road excitations and steering/braking manoeuvres. The dynamic responses are compared with conventional suspensions to demonstrate the potential of enhanced ride and handling performance. The results illustrate the model-decoupling property of the hydraulically interconnected system. The anti-roll and anti-pitch performance could be tuned independently by the interconnected systems. With the improved anti-roll and anti-pitch characteristics, the bounce stiffness and ride damping can be optimised for better ride comfort and tyre grip.     

车辆半主动悬架与助力转向集成控制的仿真研究

为协调车辆操纵稳定性和行驶平顺性,基于底盘系统动力学原理,建立了半主动悬架和电动助力转向的综合模型,对半主动悬架和电动助力转向系统进行集成控制.运用二次反馈法和PID策略分别对悬架的可调阻尼和转向系统的助力进行控制.仿真结果表明,在集成控制情况下,车辆的操纵稳定性和平顺性均优于悬架或转向单独控制的效果.     

Coordinated control strategies for active steering,differential braking and active suspension for vehicle stability,handling and safety improvement

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a coordinated control strategy is proposed to provide an effective improvement in handling stability of the vehicle, safety, and comfortable ride for passengers. This control strategy is based on the coordination among active steering, differential braking, and active suspension systems. Two families of controllers are used for this purpose, which are the high order sliding mode and the backstepping controllers. The control strategy was tested on a full nonlinear vehicle model in the environment of MATLAB/Simulink. Rollover avoidance and yaw stability control constraints have been considered. The control system mainly focuses on yaw stability control. When rollover risk is detected, the proposed strategy controls the roll dynamics to decrease rollover propensity. Simulation results for two different critical driving scenarios, the first one is a double lane change and the other one is a J-turn manoeuvre, show the effectiveness of the coordination strategy in stabilising the vehicle, enhancing handling and reducing rollover propensity.     

Roll Dynamics of Commercial Vehicles

An analytical model is developed here for studying the roll dynamics of commercial vehicles. Large displacements and rotations are accounted for in this nonlinear model so that it can be used for the study of roll dynamics well beyond the limits of wheel lift-off. The model is used to illustrate some of the dynamic phenomena in vehicle rollover, especially the interactive coupling between the roll and the vertical modes of motion. The influence of suspension backlash on rollover resistance is demonstrated, and the phenomenon of roll motion resonance is illustrated to suggest new means for evaluating vehicle rollover sensitivity.     

Analysis and optimization of air suspension system with independent height and stiffness tuning

Suspensions play a crucial role in vehicle comfort and handling. Different types of suspensions have been proposed to address essential comfort and handling requirements of vehicles. The conventional air suspension systems use a single flexible rubber airbag to transfer the chassis load to the wheels. In this type of air suspensions, the chassis height can be controlled by further inflating the airbag; however, the suspension stiffness is not controllable, and it depends on the airbag volume and chassis load. A recent development in a new air suspension includes two air chambers (rubber airbags), allowing independent ride height and stiffness tuning. In this air suspension system, stiffness and ride height of the vehicle can be simultaneously altered for different driving conditions by controlling the air pressure in the two air chambers. This allows the vehicle’s natural frequency and height to be adjusted according to the load and road conditions. This article discusses optimization of an air suspension design with ride height and stiffness tuning. An analytical formulation is developed to yield the optimum design of the new air suspension system. Experimental results verify the mathematical modeling and show the advantages of the new air suspension system.     

重型商用车驾驶室悬置结构对平顺性影响的试验研究

以某重型商用车驾驶室悬置系统为例,通过实车道路试验,研究了四弹簧,四气囊悬置减振系统的振动特性在A级路面和B级路面对车辆行驶平顺性的影响规律。试验结果表明,四气囊驾驶室悬置系统的平顺性整体优于四弹簧驾驶室悬置结构。     

State observer-based sliding mode control for semi-active hydro-pneumatic suspension

This paper proposes an improved virtual reference model for semi-active suspension to coordinate the vehicle ride comfort and handling stability. The reference model combines the virtues of sky-hook with ground-hook control logic, and the hybrid coefficient is tuned according to the longitudinal and lateral acceleration so as to improve the vehicle stability especially in high-speed condition. Suspension state observer based on unscented Kalman filter is designed. A sliding mode controller (SMC) is developed to track the states of the reference model. The stability of the SMC strategy is proven by means of Lyapunov function taking into account the nonlinear damper characteristics and sprung mass variation of the vehicle. Finally, the performance of the controller is demonstrated under three typical working conditions: the random road excitation, speed bump road and sharp acceleration and braking. The simulation results indicated that, compared with the traditional passive suspension, the proposed control algorithm can offer a better coordination between vehicle ride comfort and handling stability. This approach provides a viable alternative to costlier active suspension control systems for commercial vehicles.     

汽车主动悬架与电动助力转向系统自适应模糊集成控制

建立了包含转向运动模型、俯仰运动模型和侧倾运动模型的汽车整车模型,在设计了电动助力转向系统PD控制的基础上,构建了基于自适应模糊控制的汽车主动悬架与电动助力转向系统集成控制器,当控制系统偏差变小或变大时,调整因子总能保证系统稳定,便于工程应用。计算结果表明,该自适应模糊集成控制策略,既保证了车辆操纵轻便性,又显著提高了整车操纵稳定性、安全性和行驶平顺性等整车综合性能。     

Analysis of vehicle rollover dynamics using a high-fidelity model

Recent data show that 35% of fatal crashes in sport utility vehicles included vehicle rollover. At the same time, experimental testing to improve safety is expensive and dangerous. Therefore, multi-body simulation is used in this research to improve the understanding of rollover dynamics. The majority of previous work uses low-fidelity models. Here, a complex and highly nonlinear multi-body model with 165 degrees of freedom is correlated to vehicle kinematic and compliance (K&C) measurements. The Magic Formula tyre model is employed. Design of experiment methodology is used to identify tyre properties affecting vehicle rollover. A novel, statistical approach is used to link suspension K&C characteristics with rollover propensity. Research so far reveals that the tyre properties that have the greatest influence on vehicle rollover are friction coefficient, friction variation with load, camber stiffness and tyre vertical stiffness. Key K&C characteristics affecting rollover propensity are front and rear suspension rate, front roll stiffness, front camber gain, front and rear camber compliance and rear jacking force.     

Improving crosswind stability of fast rail vehicles using active secondary suspension

Rail vehicles are today increasingly equipped with active suspension systems for ride comfort purposes. In this paper, it is studied whether these often powerful systems also can be used to improve crosswind stability. A fast rail vehicle equipped with active secondary suspension for ride comfort purposes is exposed to crosswind loads during curve negotiation. For high crosswind loads, the active secondary suspension is used to reduce the impact of crosswind on the vehicle. The control input is taken from the primary vertical suspension deflection. Three different control cases are studied and compared with the only comfort-oriented active secondary suspension and a passive secondary suspension. The application of active secondary suspension resulted in significantly improved crosswind stability.     

Fundamental Issues in Suspension Design for Heavy Road Vehicles

Heavy road vehicles play an important role in the economy of many countries by providing an efficient means of transporting freight. Such vehicles can also have a significant impact on safety, the infrastructure and the environment. The design of the suspension affects the performance of the vehicle in terms of ride, infrastructure damage, suspension working space, energy consumption, rollover stability, yaw stability, braking and traction. The published literature on suspension design for heavy road vehicles is reviewed. It is found that extensive knowledge exists, but that there are areas where improved understanding is needed. Areas identified as fundamental issues requiring attention include ride discomfort criteria, secondary suspensions, and controllable suspensions. Two issues in particular are examined in detail: suspension tuning and suspension configuration. In the tuning of suspension parameter values for vibration performance, numerical optimisation techniques have been used extensively, but generic tuning strategies have not been widely developed. Modal analysis is proposed as a technique for gaining the insight into vehicle vibration behaviour necessary to enable tuning strategies to be devised. As an example, the technique is applied to the pitch-plane vibration of a tractor-semitrailer. In analyses of new suspension configurations or concepts, comparison with alternative concepts is not always made. Lack of such comparisons makes the selection of an optimum concept difficult. Analysis of alternative concepts using simple mathematical models, and comparison of their performance using common criteria, is advocated for enabling informed selection of an optimum. An example involving two alternative roll control systems is used to demonstrate the issue.