Asymptotic sideslip angle and yaw rate decoupling control in four-wheel steering vehicles

This paper shows that, for a four-wheel steering vehicle, a proportional-integral (PI) active front steering control and a PI active rear steering control from the yaw rate error together with an additive feedforward reference signal for the vehicle sideslip angle can asymptotically decouple the lateral velocity and the yaw rate dynamics; that is the control can set arbitrary steady state values for lateral speed and yaw rate at any longitudinal speed. Moreover, the PI controls can suppress oscillatory behaviours by assigning real stable eigenvalues to a widely used linearised model of the vehicle steering dynamics for any value of longitudinal speed in understeering vehicles. In particular, the four PI control parameters are explicitly expressed in terms of the three real eigenvalues to be assigned. No lateral acceleration and no lateral speed measurements are required. The controlled system maintains the well-known advantages of both front and rear active steering controls: higher controllability, enlarged bandwidth for the yaw rate dynamics, suppressed resonances, new stable cornering manoeuvres and improved manoeuvrability. In particular, zero lateral speed may be asymptotically achieved while controlling the yaw rate: in this case comfort is improved since the phase lag between lateral acceleration and yaw rate is reduced. Also zero yaw rate can be asymptotically achieved: in this case additional stable manoeuvres are obtained in obstacle avoidance. Several simulations, including step references and moose tests, are carried out on a standard small SUV CarSim model to explore the robustness with respect to unmodelled effects such as combined lateral and longitudinal tyre forces, pitch, roll and driver dynamics. The simulations confirm the decoupling between the lateral velocity and the yaw rate and show the advantages obtained by the proposed control: reduced lateral speed or reduced yaw rate, suppressed oscillations and new stable manoeuvres.     

Design and evaluation of sideslip angle observer for vehicle stability control

This paper presents a method for estimating the vehicle side slip angle, which is considered as a significant signal in determining the vehicle stability region in vehicle stability control systems. The proposed method combines the model-based method and kinematics-based method. Side forces of the front and rear axles are provided as a weighted sum of directly calculated values from a lateral acceleration sensor and a yaw rate sensor and from a tire model according to the nonlinear factor, which is defined to identify the degree of nonlinearity of the vehicle state. Then, the side forces are fed to the extended Kalman filter, which is designed based on the single-track vehicle model associated with a tire model. The cornering stiffness identifier is introduced to compensate for tire force nonlinearities. A fuzzy-logic procedure is implemented to determine the nonlinear factor from the input variables: yaw rate deviation from the reference value and lateral acceleration. The proposed observer is compared with a model-based method and kinematics-based method. An 8 DOF vehicle model and Dugoff tire model are employed to simulate the vehicle state in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The simulation results shows that the proposed method is more accurate than the model-based method and kinematics-based method when the vehicle is subjected to severe maneuvers under different road conditions.     

Study on integrated control of active front steer angle and direct yaw moment

This study proposes a control system to improve vehicle handling and stability under severe driving conditions by actively controlling the front steering angle and the distribution of braking forces on four tires. With the application of a model-matching control technique, this proposed control system makes the performance of the actual vehicle model follow that of an ideal vehicle model with consideration of nonlinearity of tire characteristics. Finally, this paper investigates the effectiveness of control system during the following conditions: braked cornering, lane change and side wind disturbance.     

Predictive control of a vehicle trajectory using a coupled vector with vehicle velocity and sideslip angle

In this paper, a predictive algorithm for vehicle trajectory control using the vehicle velocity and sideslip angle is proposed. Since the driving state of a vehicle generates nonholonomic constraint equations, it is difficult to control the trajectory with a conventional control algorithm. Furthermore, control vectors such as vehicle velocity and sideslip angle are coupled together; hence, a separate control for each variable is not suitable. In this study, a coupled control vector that combines the velocity and sideslip angle is proposed for the predictive control of vehicle trajectory. Since the coupled control vector is derived from the status of the vehicle’s motion, it is easy to generate a feedback control vector for the predictive controller. The coupled vector cannot be directly used as input to the vehicle systems; therefore, the vehicle input vector should be calculated from the control vector using a nonlinear function. Since nonlinear functions are not inserted in the control loop, they are calculated by the controller. Therefore, this method does not require a linearization process in the control logic, which enhances the stability and accuracy of the predictive controller.     

Desired yaw rate and steering control method during cornering for a six-wheeled vehicle

This paper proposes a steering control method based on optimal control theory to improve the maneuverability of a six-wheeled vehicle during cornering. The six-wheeled vehicle is believed to have better performance than a four-wheeled vehicle in terms of its capability for crossing obstacles, off-road maneuvering and fail-safe handling when one or two of the tires are punctured. Although many methods to improve the four-wheeled vehicle’s lateral stability have been studied and developed, there have only been a few studies on the six-wheeled vehicle’s lateral stability. Some studies of the six-wheeled vehicle have been reported recently, but they are related to the desired yaw rate of a four-wheeled vehicle to control the six-wheeled vehicle’s maneuvering during corning. In this paper, the sideslip angle and yaw rate are controlled to improve the maneuverability during cornering by independent control of the steering angles of the six wheels. The desired yaw rate that is suitable for a six-wheeled vehicle is proposed as a control target. In addition, a scaled-down vehicle with six drive motors and six steering motors that can be controlled independently is designed. The performance of the proposed control methods is verified using a full model vehicle simulation and scaled-down vehicle experiment.     

Optimum distribution of yaw moment for unified chassis control with limitations on the active front steering angle

This paper describes an optimum distribution method for yaw moment for use with unified chassis control (UCC) with limitations on the active front steering (AFS) angle. Although the UCC has been assumed to have no AFS angle limitation in the literature, a physical limitation exists in real applications. To improve upon the previous method, a new optimum distribution method for yaw moment is proposed that takes this limitation into account. This method derives an optimum longitudinal/lateral force using the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality condition, and a simulation is performed to validate the proposed method. The simulation results indicate that the limitation on the AFS angle increases longitudinal braking force and, therefore, reduces the vehicle speed and the side-slip angle.     

Estimation of vehicle sideslip angle and tire-road friction coefficient based on magnetometer with GPS

This paper presents a method that estimates the vehicle sideslip angle and a tire-road friction coefficient by combining measurements of a magnetometer, a global positioning system (GPS), and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The estimation algorithm is based on a cascade structure consisting of a sensor fusing framework based on Kalman filters. Several signal conditioning techniques are used to mitigate issues related to different signal characteristics, such as latency and disturbances. The estimated sideslip angle information and a brush tire model are fused in a Kalman filter framework to estimate the tire-road friction coefficient. The performance and practical feasibility of the proposed approach were evaluated through several tests.     

Integration of vehicle yaw stabilisation and rollover prevention through nonlinear hierarchical control allocation

This work presents an approach to rollover prevention that takes advantage of the modular structure and optimisation properties of the control allocation paradigm. It eliminates the need for a stabilising roll controller by introducing rollover prevention as a constraint on the control allocation problem. The major advantage of this approach is the control authority margin that remains with a high-level controller even during interventions for rollover prevention. In this work, the high-level control is assigned to a yaw stabilising controller. It could be replaced by any other controller. The constraint for rollover prevention could be replaced by or extended to different control objectives. This work uses differential braking for actuation. The use of additional or different actuators is possible. The developed control algorithm is computationally efficient and suitable for low-cost automotive electronic control units. The predictive design of the rollover prevention constraint does not require any sensor equipment in addition to the yaw controller. The method is validated using an industrial multi-body vehicle simulation environment.     

Active yaw damper for the improvement of railway vehicle stability and curving performances: simulations and experimental results

To further increase passenger train comfort and handling performances, a mechatronic approach to the design of railway vehicles is necessary. In fact, active systems on board a railway vehicle allow to push design barriers beyond those encountered with just passive systems. The article deals with the development of an electro-mechanical actuator to improve the running behaviour of a railway vehicle, both in straight track and curve. The main components of the active system are a brushless motor and a mechanical transmission, used to apply a longitudinal force between the carbody and the bogie of the vehicle. The actuator is operated in force control. Different control strategies were developed for straight track running, where the aim is to increase the vehicle critical speed, and for curve negotiation, where the goal is to reduce the maximum values of track shift forces. A mathematical model of the railway vehicle incorporating the active control device has been developed and used to optimise control strategies and hardware set-up of the active device and to estimate the increase in operating performances with respect to a conventional passive vehicle. The active control device has then been mounted on an ETR470 railway vehicle, and its performances have been evaluated during in-line tests in both straight and curved tracks.     

Active yaw damper for the improvement of railway vehicle stability and curving performances: simulations and experimental results

To further increase passenger train comfort and handling performances, a mechatronic approach to the design of railway vehicles is necessary. In fact, active systems on board a railway vehicle allow to push design barriers beyond those encountered with just passive systems. The article deals with the development of an electro-mechanical actuator to improve the running behaviour of a railway vehicle, both in straight track and curve. The main components of the active system are a brushless motor and a mechanical transmission, used to apply a longitudinal force between the carbody and the bogie of the vehicle. The actuator is operated in force control. Different control strategies were developed for straight track running, where the aim is to increase the vehicle critical speed, and for curve negotiation, where the goal is to reduce the maximum values of track shift forces. A mathematical model of the railway vehicle incorporating the active control device has been developed and used to optimise control strategies and hardware set-up of the active device and to estimate the increase in operating performances with respect to a conventional passive vehicle. The active control device has then been mounted on an ETR470 railway vehicle, and its performances have been evaluated during in-line tests in both straight and curved tracks.     

Dynamic analysis and control of an anti-lock brake system for a motorcycle with a camber angle

This paper analyses the dynamic response of a motorcycle with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and camber or steering angle. Most studies have assumed that motorcycles brake in a straight line – that is, without a steering or camber angle. In this work, the performance of an ABS modulator is designed and analysed at first. Then, a controller is designed for motorcycle turning. The controller uses angular acceleration and the pressure value in brake calipers on the front and rear wheels, camber angle and lateral acceleration as commands to control brake pressure on each wheel to prevent wheel locking. The equation of motion for a motorcycle is based on Weir's equations. This motorcycle model combines a mathematical equation of the ABS modulator, tyre model and controller in simulations.     

相位角的测量与误差分析

在检测相位角时,仪表误差导致测量读数超限,通过相位仪的自校验,可以求出仪表的系统误差,用误差去修正测量读数,其结果符合指标要求.     

车轮前束与外倾定位角变化趋势与解析

随着汽车技术的发展,汽车的使用环境和条件发生了变化,这给汽车的使用者和后市场的服务人员提出了新的要求。汽车后服务市场更多的是进行汽车保养、维护以及相关参数的调整工作。其中四轮定位作为底盘调整与维护的重要手段之一,亦愈显重要且使用频繁。相关维修人员能够真正认识到四轮定位的作用和目的,并能正确、规范的对车轮定位参数进行调整,其意义不言而喻。本文即从这点出发,阐述了四轮定位中非常重要且经常调整的参数——前束与外倾的作用和发展变化趋势,并列出了若干近年车型具体参数。能够给汽车使用人员正确使用、保养汽车提供参考,并能为相关后市场服务人员真正理解定位参数、做好四轮定位工作、保障整车性能提供借鉴。     

A new formulation of the understeer coefficient to relate yaw torque and vehicle handling

The handling behaviour of vehicles is an important property for its relation to performance and safety. In 1970s, Pacejka did the groundwork for an objective analysis introducing the handling diagram and the understeer coefficient. In more recent years, the understeer concept is still mentioned but the handling is actively managed by direct yaw control (DYC). In this paper an accurate analysis of the vehicle handling is carried out, considering also the effect of drive forces. This analysis brings to a new formulation of the understeer coefficient, which is almost equivalent to the classical one, but it can be obtained by quasi-steady-state manoeuvres. In addition, it relates the vehicle yaw torque to the understeer coefficient, filling up the gap between the classical handling approach and DYC. A multibody model of a Formula SAE car is then used to perform quasi-steady-state simulations in order to verify the effectiveness of the new formulation. Some vehicle set-ups and wheel drive arrangements are simulated and the results are discussed. In particular, the handling behaviours of the rear wheel drive (RWD) and the front wheel drive (FWD) architectures are compared, finding an apparently surprising result: for the analysed vehicle the FWD is less understeering than for RWD. The relation between the yaw torque and the understeer coefficient allows to understand this behaviour and opens-up the possibility for different yaw control strategies.     

Effects of model response on model following type of combined lateral force and yaw moment control performance for active vehicle handling safety

This paper presents a comparison study of the effect of model response on the performance of the model following type combined lateral force and yaw moment control. The combined controls aim to maximize stability limit as well as vehicle responsiveness. In order to realize this aim, two types of model responses are proposed to introduce the required lateral force and yaw moment control. The model responses (a) is the side-slip angle and yaw rate vehicle response of the two degree of freedom vehicle motion (bicycle model). The model responses (b) is an intentional modification from the model responses (a) to the side slip angle converging to zero and first order yaw rate. Three different cases of combining lateral force and yaw moment control have been investigated using the two types of model responses. The effect of model responses is proved by computer simulations of the vehicle response to a single sine wave steering input with braking for the combined control methods proposed. It is found that the influence of the model response has a significant effect on the combined control performance.     

驱动轴节型及布置角度对传动效率影响分析

针对轿车用驱动轴的类型、不同的布置角度、不同的固定节角度对传动效率影响进行了分析,得出角度对效率影响较大。基于效率提升和节能环保角度,对高效率驱动轴的传动效率进行了研究,并与普通驱动轴传动效率进行比较,得出高效率驱动轴效率比普通驱动轴效率高0．8％左右的结论。     

论客车产品的质量控制

城市公共交通是与人民群众生产生活息息相关的重要基础设施,是关系到国计民生的社会公益事业。目前,我国有近千万人直接或间接为公交行业服务,但国内还没有一本刊物系统、全面地介绍我国公交行业的发展。中国城市公共交通协会作为《城市车辆》杂志的主办单位,为了进一步提高办刊水平,更好地为中国公交行业服务,需要改革创新,与时俱进。2009年9月29日,经国家新闻出版总署批准,《城市车辆》杂志更名为《人民公交》,创刊号将于2010年1月15日正式出版。温故而知新,《城市车辆》杂志的前身是《城市客车与城建设备》,1983年创刊,1994年更名为《城市车辆》,是城建行业最早的国家级科技期刊之一。本期和下期作为《城市车辆》杂志更名为《人民公交》前的最后两期,除＂特别关注＂栏目仍向读者提供最新行业信息外,编者特别精选了从1994～2008年的部分优秀论文,作为对本刊创办15周年的经典回顾。从中,读者不仅可以领略和欣赏到当年优秀论文的风采、历史价值以及对未来技术预测的前瞻性,还可以通过咀嚼当时那原汁原味的论点,见证产品设计、生产、管理、技术创新等方面的历史发展进程。     

浅析汽车起动保护控制原理及应用

在市场调查中发现,由于误操作或钥匙机构故障,造成起动机长时间工作,导致起动机烧蚀,严重的会造成烧车的不良后果。本文介绍了EMC、BCM对起动机进行保护的两种控制原理,从而达到保护起动机的目的。