Objectification of steering feel around straight-line driving for vehicle/tyre design

This paper presents the objectification techniques for the assessment of steering feel including {on-centre} feel and steering response by measurement data. Here, new objective parameters are developed by considering not only the process by which the steering feel is evaluated subjectively but also by the ergonomic perceptive sensitivity of the driver. In order to validate such objective parameters, subjective tests are carried out by professional drivers. Objective measurements are also performed for several cars at a proving ground. The linear correlation coefficients between the subjective ratings and the objective parameters are calculated. As one of new objective parameters, steering wheel angle defined by ergonomic perception sensitivity shows high correlation with the subjective questionnaires of on-center responses. Newly defined steering torque curvature also shows high correlation with the subjective questionnaires of on-center effort. These correlation results conclude that the subjective assessment of steering feel can be successfully explained and objectified by means of the suggested objective parameters.     

A model of driver steering control incorporating the driver's sensing of steering torque

Steering feel, or steering torque feedback, is widely regarded as an important aspect of the handling quality of a vehicle. Despite this, there is little theoretical understanding of its role. This paper describes an initial attempt to model the role of steering torque feedback arising from lateral tyre forces. The path-following control of a nonlinear vehicle model is implemented using a time-varying model predictive controller. A series of Kalman filters are used to represent the driver's ability to generate estimates of the system states from noisy sensory measurements, including the steering torque. It is found that under constant road friction conditions, the steering torque feedback reduces path-following errors provided the friction is sufficiently high to prevent frequent saturation of the tyres. When the driver model is extended to allow identification of, and adaptation to, a varying friction condition, it is found that the steering torque assists in the accurate identification of the friction condition. The simulation results give insight into the role of steering torque feedback arising from lateral tyre forces. The paper concludes with recommendations for further work.     

线控转向系统路感模糊控制仿真分析

驾驶员希望通过转向盘的力矩信息感知汽车的行驶状态。文章主要研究汽车转向盘力特性与转向盘转角、车速、侧向加速度及转向阻力矩的关系,运用多变量模糊控制技术研究了线控转向系统的路感,通过ADAMS提供离线汽车数据,在Matlab／Simulink中对路感多变量模糊控制器进行了仿真,并对其中一种控制结构进行了硬件在环试验,给出了路感多变量模糊控制的一种参数调整方法以及路感数据。表明仿真同硬件在环仿真结果基本一致,验证了路感多变量模糊控制方法可行。     

基于主动转向技术的汽车防侧翻控制的研究

以汽车2自由度模型作为参考模型，建立了一种汽车防侧翻的控制方法。该方法采用主动转向技术来改变转向轮的转向角度，有效地减少了汽车的侧向加速度，提高了汽车的防侧翻的能力。在8自山度汽车动力学模型的基础上，运用主动转向技术的控制策略进行了汽车的性能仿真分析。与末采用汽车防侧翻控制系统的汽车动力学分析结果相比，汽车的主动安全性得到了增强。     

汽车转向感觉主观评价试验方法综述

传统的转向评价标准已经不能完全适应新兴的动力转向,如何系统的评价转向感觉,如何获得理想的转向感觉,已经成为国内外迫切需要解决的问题。分别对转向的移线性能、中间位置转向性能和转向的舒适性等主观感觉评价进行介绍,分析转向感觉主观评价中的几个基本问题,并探讨应用实车试验、驾驶员模型和驾驶模拟器进行转向感觉试验的主要方法,对今后转向感觉主观评价的发展具有一定指导性和借鉴意义。     

电动助力转向系统的回正与主动阻尼控制策略研究

针对配备电动助力转向系统的车辆低速时回正性差,而中高速时又容易出现回正超调的现象,提出了一种新型的回正与主动阻尼控制策略。该控制策略以功能原理为理论基础,可以随车速和转向盘转角的不同而调整回正力矩或阻尼力矩的大小。实车试验的结果证明,该控制策略能够改善车辆低速时的回正性,抑制车辆中高速时的回正超调现象,并且在施加了回正与主动阻尼控制后,驾驶员的操纵手感没有受到不良的影响。     

Integrated chassis control for a three-axle electric bus with distributed driving motors and active rear steering system

This paper describes an integrated chassis control framework for a novel three-axle electric bus with active rear steering (ARS) axle and four motors at the middle and rear wheels. The proposed integrated framework consists of four parts: (1) an active speed limiting controller is designed for anti-body slip control and rollover prevention; (2) an ARS controller is designed for coordinating the tyre wear between the driving wheels; (3) an inter-axle torque distribution controller is designed for optimal torque distribution between the axles, considering anti-wheel slip and battery power limitations and (4) a data acquisition and estimation module for collecting the measured and estimated vehicle states. To verify the performances, a simulation platform is established in Trucksim software combined with Simulink. Three test cases are particularly designed to show the performances. The proposed algorithm is compared with a simple even control algorithm. The test results show satisfactory lateral stability and rollover prevention performances under severe steering conditions. The desired tyre wear coordinating performance is also realised, and the wheel slip ratios are restricted within stable region during intensive driving and emergency braking with complicated road conditions.     

汽车动力转向系统可变助力特性的设计

通过理论分析、数值仿真和经验统计等方法,对可变助力转向系统的助力特性进行研究,提出一种基于驾驶员路感的可变助力转向特性设计方法,并对其进行整车仿真试验.结果表明:所得到的可变助力特性,不仅能满足低速行驶转向时的轻便性要求,而且可保证在高速行驶转向时有合适的路感和必要的稳定感.     

A method to find correlations between steering feel and vehicle handling properties using a moving base driving simulator

There have been several investigations to find out how drivers experience a change in vehicle-handling behaviour. However, the hypothesis that there is a correlation between what the driver perceives and vehicle- handling properties remains to be verified. To define what people feel, the human feeling of steering systems was divided into dimensions of perception. Then 28 test drivers rated different steering system characteristics of a semi-trailer tractor combination in a moving base-driving simulator. Characteristics of the steering system differed in friction, damping, inertia and stiffness. The same steering system characteristics were also tested in accordance with international standards of vehicle-handling tests resulting in characteristic quantities. The instrumental measurements and the non-instrumental ratings were analysed with respect to correlation between each other with the help of regression analysis and neural networks. Results show that there are correlations between measurements and ratings. Moreover, it is shown that which one of the handling variables influence the different dimensions of the steering feel.     

Interaction of vehicle and steering system regarding on-centre handling

For the on-centre handling behaviour of vehicles the steering system is absolutely important. To investigate the interaction of the vehicle and steering system a validated, especially tailored simulation model was developed. Some meaningful vehicle and steering system parameters are altered to show the influence on steering wheel torque, steering feel and understeer. The results underline the importance of an accurate steering system model. Identified measures to improve the centre feel and steering response were a stiffer torsion bar, a higher cornering stiffness or a lower overall steering ratio. The steering response, however, suffers when the centre feel is improved by a higher trail. The steering rack friction reduces mainly the steering response while the steering column friction decreases the centre feel whereas a stiffer torsion bar lessens the understeer tendency.     

Interaction of vehicle and steering system regarding on-centre handling

For the on-centre handling behaviour of vehicles the steering system is absolutely important. To investigate the interaction of the vehicle and steering system a validated, especially tailored simulation model was developed. Some meaningful vehicle and steering system parameters are altered to show the influence on steering wheel torque, steering feel and understeer. The results underline the importance of an accurate steering system model. Identified measures to improve the centre feel and steering response were a stiffer torsion bar, a higher cornering stiffness or a lower overall steering ratio. The steering response, however, suffers when the centre feel is improved by a higher trail. The steering rack friction reduces mainly the steering response while the steering column friction decreases the centre feel whereas a stiffer torsion bar lessens the understeer tendency.     

An investigation on motor-driven power steering-based crosswind disturbance compensation for the reduction of driver steering effort

This paper describes a lateral disturbance compensation algorithm for an application to a motor-driven power steering (MDPS)-based driver assistant system. The lateral disturbance including wind force and lateral load transfer by bank angle reduces the driver's steering refinement and at the same time increases the possibility of an accident. A lateral disturbance compensation algorithm is designed to determine the motor overlay torque of an MDPS system for reducing the manoeuvreing effort of a human driver under lateral disturbance. Motor overlay torque for the compensation of driver's steering torque induced by the lateral disturbance consists of human torque feedback and feedforward torque. Vehicle–driver system dynamics have been investigated using a combined dynamic model which consists of a vehicle dynamic model, driver steering dynamic model and lateral disturbance model. The human torque feedback input has been designed via the investigation of the vehicle–driver system dynamics. Feedforward input torque is calculated to compensate additional tyre self-aligning torque from an estimated lateral disturbance. The proposed compensation algorithm has been implemented on a developed driver model which represents the driver's manoeuvreing characteristics under the lateral disturbance. The developed driver model has been validated with test data via a driving simulator in a crosswind condition. Human-in-the-loop simulations with a full-scale driving simulator on a virtual test track have been conducted to investigate the real-time performance of the proposed lateral disturbance compensation algorithm. It has been shown from simulation studies and human-in-the-loop simulation results that the driver's manoeuvreing effort and a lateral deviation of the vehicle under the lateral disturbance can be significantly reduced via the lateral disturbance compensation algorithm.     

Findings from subjective evaluations and driver ratings of vehicle dynamics: steering and handling

This paper investigates subjective assessments (SA) of vehicle handling and steering feel tests, both numerical and verbal, to understand drivers’ use of judgement scales, rating tendencies and spread. Two different test methods are compared: a short multi-vehicle first-impression test with predefined-driving vs the standard extensive single-vehicle free-driving tests, both offering very similar results but with the former saving substantial testing time. Rating repeatability is evaluated by means of a blind test. Key SA questions are identified by numerical subjective assessment autocorrelations and by generating word clouds from the most used terms in verbal assessments, with both methods leading to similar key parameters. The results exposed in this paper enable better understanding of SA, allowing improving the overall subjective testing and evaluation process, and improving the data collection and analysis process needed before identifying correlations between SA and objective metrics.     

Common underlying steering curves for motorcycles in steady turns

We study the steady turn behaviours of some light motorcycle models on circular paths, using the commercial software package ADAMS-Motorcycle. Steering torque and steering angle are obtained for several path radii and a range of steady forward speeds. For path radii much greater than motorcycle wheelbase, and for all motorcycle parameters including tyre parameters held fixed, dimensional analysis can predict the asymptotic behaviour of steering torque and angle. In particular, steering torque is a function purely of lateral acceleration plus another such function divided by path radius. Of these, the first function is numerically determined, while the second is approximated by an analytically determined constant. Similarly, the steering angle is a function purely of lateral acceleration, plus another such function divided by path radius. Of these, the first is determined numerically while the second is determined analytically. Both predictions are verified through ADAMS simulations for various tyre and geometric parameters. In summary, steady circular motions of a given motorcycle with given tyre parameters can be approximately characterised by just one curve for steering torque and one for steering angle.     

Nonlinear PI front and rear steering control in four wheel steering vehicles

Vehicle steering dynamics show resonances, which depend on the longitudinal speed, unstable equilibrium points and limited stability regions depending on the constant steering wheel angle, longitudinal speed and car parameters.

The main contribution of this paper is to show that a combined decentralized proportional active front steering control and proportional-integral active rear steering control from the yaw rate tracking error can assign the eigenvalues of the linearised single track steering dynamics, without lateral speed measurements, using a standard single track car model with nonlinear tire characteristics and a non-linear first-order reference model for the yaw rate dynamics driven by the driver steering wheel input. By choosing a suitable nonlinear reference model it is shown that the responses to driver step inputs tend to zero (or reduced) lateral speed for any value of longitudinal speed: in this case the resulting controlled vehicle static gain from driver input to yaw rate differs from the uncontrolled one at higher speed. The closed loop system shows the advantages of both active front and rear steering control: higher controllability, enlarged bandwidth for the yaw rate dynamics, suppressed resonances, new stable cornering manoeuvres, enlarged stability regions, reduced lateral speed and improved manoeuvrability; in addition comfort is improved since the phase lag between lateral acceleration and yaw rate is reduced.

For the designed control law a robustness analysis is presented with respect to system failures, driver step inputs and critical car parameters such as mass, moment of inertia and front and rear cornering stiffness coefficients. Several simulations are carried out on a higher order experimentally validated nonlinear dynamical model to confirm the analysis and to explore the robustness with respect to unmodelled dynamics.     

汽车操纵稳定性的中间位置转向试验

操纵稳定性中间位置转向试验最初是由美国德尔福公司制定的，是汽车在高速行驶条件下操纵性和稳定性的重要评价方法。通过试验的原始数据可以绘制出转向盘转角与侧向加速度、转向盘力矩与侧向加速度、转向盘力矩与转向盘转角等多条特性曲线，以作为不同的评价指标。以CAll41载货汽车作为实例分析，发现该车转向干摩擦偏大，转向刚度偏低，高速行驶时的非线性路感不够理想。     

电动助力转向系统回正控制策略研究

在分析电动助力转向系统回正模型的基础上,提出了电动助力转向回正控制算法。尝试直接采用扭矩信号作为转向盘转角估计的依据,并以此为基础提出不需配置转角传感器的回正控制策略。在matlab中建立了电动助力转向系统的模型,并利用Simulink工具箱对算法进行了仿真。仿真结果表明,所提出的回正控制策略能提高转向盘的回正性能,并为台架试验打下了基础。     

Role of steering wheel feedback on driver performance: driving simulator and modeling analysis

When driving in curves, how do drivers use the force appearing on the steering wheel? As it carries information related to lateral acceleration, this force could be necessary for drivers to tune their internal model of vehicle dynamics; alternatively, being opposed to the drivers' efforts, it could just help them stabilize the steering wheel position. To assess these two hypotheses, we designed an experiment on a motion-based driving simulator. The steering characteristics of the vehicle were modified in the course of driving, unknown to drivers. Results obtained with standard drivers showed a surprisingly wide range of adaptation, except for exaggerated modifications of the steering force feedback. A two-level driver model, combining a preview of vehicle dynamics and a neuromuscular steering control, reproduces these experimental results qualitatively and indicates that adaptation occurs at the haptic level rather than in the internal model of vehicle dynamics. This effect is related to other theories on the manual control of dynamics systems, wherein force feedback characteristics are abstracted at the position control level. This research also illustrates the use of driving simulation for the study of driver behavior and future intelligent steering assistance systems.     

Role of steering wheel feedback on driver performance: driving simulator and modeling analysis

When driving in curves, how do drivers use the force appearing on the steering wheel? As it carries information related to lateral acceleration, this force could be necessary for drivers to tune their internal model of vehicle dynamics; alternatively, being opposed to the drivers' efforts, it could just help them stabilize the steering wheel position. To assess these two hypotheses, we designed an experiment on a motion-based driving simulator. The steering characteristics of the vehicle were modified in the course of driving, unknown to drivers. Results obtained with standard drivers showed a surprisingly wide range of adaptation, except for exaggerated modifications of the steering force feedback. A two-level driver model, combining a preview of vehicle dynamics and a neuromuscular steering control, reproduces these experimental results qualitatively and indicates that adaptation occurs at the haptic level rather than in the internal model of vehicle dynamics. This effect is related to other theories on the manual control of dynamics systems, wherein force feedback characteristics are abstracted at the position control level. This research also illustrates the use of driving simulation for the study of driver behavior and future intelligent steering assistance systems.     

Bus mathematical model of acceleration threshold limit estimation in lateral rollover test

Vehicle safety is a major concerns for researchers, governments and vehicle manufacturers, and therefore a special attention is paid to it. Particularly, rollover is one of the types of accidents where researchers have focused due to the gravity of injuries and the social impact it generates. One of the parameters that define bus lateral behaviour is the acceleration threshold limit, which is defined as the lateral acceleration from which the rollover process begins to take place. This parameter can be obtained by means of a lateral rollover platform test or estimated by means of mathematical models. In this paper, the differences between these methods are deeply analysed, and a new mathematical model is proposed to estimate the acceleration threshold limit in the lateral rollover test. The proposed model simulates the lateral rollover test, and, for the first time, it includes the effect of a variable position of the centre of gravity. Finally, the maximum speed at which the bus can travel in a bend without rolling over is computed.