Design of a rollover index-based vehicle stability control scheme

This paper presents a rollover index (RI)-based vehicle stability control (VSC) scheme. A rollover index, which indicates an impending rollover, is developed by a roll dynamics phase plane analysis. A model-based roll estimator is designed to estimate the roll angle and roll rate of the vehicle body with lateral acceleration, yaw rate, steering angle and vehicle velocity measurements. The rollover index is computed using an estimated roll angle, estimated roll rate, measured lateral acceleration and time-to-wheel lift. A differential braking control law is designed using a direct yaw control method. The VSC threshold is determined from the rollover index. The effectiveness of the RI, the performance of the estimator and the control scheme are investigated via simulations using a validated vehicle simulator. It is shown that the proposed RI can be a good measure of the danger of rollover and the proposed RI-based VSC scheme can reduce the risk of a rollover.     

State estimation in roll dynamics for commercial vehicles

Accurate lateral load transfer estimation plays an important role in improving the performance of the active rollover prevention system equipped in commercial vehicles. This estimation depends on the accurate prediction of roll angles for both the sprung and the unsprung subsystems. This paper proposes a novel computational method for roll-angle estimation in commercial vehicles employing sensors which are already used in a vehicle dynamic control system without additional expensive measurement units. The estimation strategy integrates two blocks. The first block contains a sliding-mode observer which is responsible for calculating the lateral tyre forces, while in the second block, the Kalman filter estimates the roll angles of the sprung mass and those of axles in the truck. The validation is conducted through MATLAB/TruckSim co-simulation. Based on the comparison between the estimated results and the simulation results from TruckSim, it can be concluded that the proposed estimation method has a promising tracking performance with low computational cost and high convergence speed. This approach enables a low-cost solution for the rollover prevention in commercial vehicles.     

Contour line of load transfer ratio for vehicle rollover prediction

For vehicle rollover control systems, an accurate and predictive rollover index is necessary for a precise rollover threat detection and rollover prevention. In this paper, the contour line of load transfer ratio (CL-LTR) and the CL-LTR-based vehicle rollover index (CLRI) are proposed, describing LTR threshold and LTR change rate precisely, providing an accurate prediction of vehicle rollover threat. In detail, the CL-LTR is proposed via the roll dynamics phase plane analysis, and its analytical solution of one-degree-of-freedom vehicle roll model and extension for full vehicle are derived. Moreover, the predictive CLRI is proposed and evaluated via vehicle dynamics study. The results demonstrate that vehicle rollover threat is predicted accurately based on the CLRI, which shows benefits for the vehicle rollover prediction and stability control.     

Rollover detection and control on the non-driven axles of trucks based on pulsed braking excitation

The major challenges for rollover detection are the accurate modelling of vehicle dynamics and the real-time estimation of the varied parameters. To circumvent the dependence on vehicle parameters, a novel rollover detection method based on the pulsed braking excitation is proposed. With the lateral load transfer ratio (LTR), the relationship between rollover risks and non-driven wheel rotational dynamics is deduced, which is the basis to apply braking excitation on wheels. The lateral acceleration is adopted as the first criterion to activate the rollover detection. Once the pulsed braking is applied to the non-driven wheels, the braking pressure and wheel angular speeds are measured to estimate the LTR on the non-driven axle. In case of emergency, the differential braking-based anti-rollover is implemented. Experiments were conducted on a Hardware-in-Loop bench. The results show that, the pulsed braking can be activated timely, and the LTR on the non-driven axle is estimated accurately. With the anti-rollover control, the roll stability is improved considerably.     

基于MPC的独立驱动电动汽车稳定性集成控制

针对独立驱动电动汽车在高附着系数路面高速急转时易发生侧翻事故,在低附着系数路面急转易发生侧滑失稳事故,且单一控制器在不同附着系数路面适应性较差等问题,根据独立驱动电动汽车特点设计了基于分层式结构的稳定性集成控制器。建立了整车动力学模型,并进行了车辆状态参数估计;设计了稳定性集成控制器的控制策略,对车辆的侧倾、横向稳定性状态判定条件和协调策略的制定进行了研究,分别设计了侧倾稳定性控制器和横向稳定性控制器;设置了路面附着系数0.9到0.2的对接路面仿真工况,并在此工况下对所设计的控制器的控制性能进行了仿真测试。结果表明,所设计的稳定性集成控制器相比于单一控制器具有更好的适应性,可有效降低车辆高速行驶过程中的横向载荷转移系数、质心侧偏角等状态量,提高车辆行驶的稳定性和安全性。     

Vehicle dynamics and road curvature estimation for lane departure warning system using robust fuzzy observers: experimental validation

This paper describes a new approach to estimate vehicle dynamics and the road curvature in order to detect vehicle lane departures. This method has been evaluated through an experimental set-up using a real test vehicle equipped with the RT2500 inertial measurement unit. Based on a robust unknown input fuzzy observer, the road curvature is estimated and compared to the vehicle trajectory curvature. The difference between the two curvatures is used by the proposed lane departure detection algorithm as the first driving risk indicator. To reduce false alarms and take into account driver corrections, a second driving risk indicator based on the steering dynamics is considered. The vehicle nonlinear model is deduced from the vehicle lateral dynamics and road geometry and then represented by an uncertain Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model. Taking into account the unmeasured variables, an unknown input fuzzy observer is proposed. Synthesis conditions of the proposed fuzzy observer are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities using the Lyapunov method.     

Lateral load transfer and normal forces estimation for vehicle safety: experimental test

Knowledge of vehicle dynamics data is important for vehicle control systems that aim to enhance vehicle handling and passenger safety. This study introduces observers that estimate lateral load transfer and wheel–ground contact normal forces, commonly known as vertical forces. The proposed method is based on the dynamic response of a vehicle instrumented with cheap and currently available standard sensors. The estimation process is separated into three blocks: the first block serves to identify the vehicle’s mass, the second block contains a linear observer whose main role is to estimate the roll angle and the one-side lateral transfer load, while in the third block we compare linear and nonlinear models for the estimation of four wheel vertical forces. The different observers are based on a prediction/estimation filter. The performance of this concept is tested and compared with real experimental data acquired using the INRETS-MA (Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et leur Sécurité – Département Mécanismes d’Accidents) Laboratory car. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of this approach to provide accurate estimation, thus showing its potential as a practical low-cost solution for calculating normal forces.     

Road curvature estimation for vehicle lane departure detection using a robust Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy observer

In this paper, a lane departure detection method is studied and evaluated via a professional vehicle dynamics software. Based on a robust fuzzy observer designed with unmeasurable premise variables with unknown inputs, the road curvature is estimated and compared with the vehicle trajectory curvature. The difference between the two curvatures is used by the proposed algorithm as the first driving risk indicator. To reduce false alarms and take into account the driver corrections, a second driving risk indicator is considered, which is based on the steering dynamics, and it gives the time to the lane keeping. The used nonlinear model deduced from the vehicle lateral dynamics and a vision system is represented by an uncertain Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model. Taking into account the unmeasured variables, an unknown input fuzzy observer is then proposed. Synthesis conditions of the proposed fuzzy observer are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities using Lyapunov method. The proposed approach is evaluated under different driving scenarios using a software simulator. Simulation results show good efficiency of the proposed method.     

Rollover risk prediction of heavy vehicles by reliability index and empirical modelling

This paper focuses on a combination of a reliability-based approach and an empirical modelling approach for rollover risk assessment of heavy vehicles. A reliability-based warning system is developed to alert the driver to a potential rollover before entering into a bend. The idea behind the proposed methodology is to estimate the rollover risk by the probability that the vehicle load transfer ratio (LTR) exceeds a critical threshold. Accordingly, a so-called reliability index may be used as a measure to assess the vehicle safe functioning. In the reliability method, computing the maximum of LTR requires to predict the vehicle dynamics over the bend which can be in some cases an intractable problem or time-consuming. With the aim of improving the reliability computation time, an empirical model is developed to substitute the vehicle dynamics and rollover models. This is done by using the SVM (Support Vector Machines) algorithm. The preliminary obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Heavy duty vehicle rollover detection and active roll control

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study on heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) roll stability improvement technology. The proposed rollover threat warning system uses the real-time dynamic model-based time-to-rollover (TTR) metric as a basis for online rollover detections. Its feasibility for implementation in a HDV rollover threat detection system is demonstrated through vehicle dynamic simulation studies. The research on the development of a rollover threat detection system is further enhanced in combination with an active roll control system using active suspension mechanism to improve heavy-duty trucks’ roll stability both in the static cornering and in emergency maneuvers. It has been demonstrated that the roll stability of typical heavy-duty trucks has been largely improved by the proposed active safety monitoring and control system.     

车辆系统垂向与横向耦合的侧倾状态估计

为有效解决复杂行驶工况下车辆耦合侧倾运动状态无法精确获取,进而对车辆系统操纵稳定性与乘坐舒适性兼顾优化无法提供准确输入的难题,本文中设计了基于车辆垂向与横向耦合动力学的双非线性状态观测器算法,以实现复杂行驶工况下车辆耦合侧倾运动状态的实时准确估计。首先,建立了路面激励模型与整车系统垂向与横向耦合动力学模型;接着,利用无迹卡尔曼滤波方法(UKF)与非线性模糊观测(T-S)理论,设计了非线性状态观测算法,以在不同路面激励工况下对车辆系统簧载质量与侧倾状态进行联合估计;最后,运用CarSim■动力学软件,对比分析了在标准A级与C级路面上进行J-turn试验工况下,采用联合状态观测器(UKF&T-S)实时估计车辆侧倾角与侧倾率的观测精度。结果表明,本文所设计的UKF&T-S观测器可有效估计车辆侧倾状态,且与CarSim■仿真数据相比识别状态标准偏差不超过10%。     

Roll Plane Analysis of Articulated Tank Vehicles During Steady Turning

The rollover immunity levels of articulated tank vehicles with partial loads are investigated. A static roll plane model of the articulated vehicle employing partially filled cylindrical tank is developed. The vertical and lateral translation of the liquid cargo due to vehicle roll angle and lateral acceleration, encountered during steady turning, are evaluated. The roll moments arising from vertical and lateral translation of the liquid cargo are determined and incorporated in the roll plane model of the vehicle. The adverse influence of the unique interactions of the liquid within the tank vehicle, on the rollover limit of the articulated vehicle is demonstrated. The influence of compartmenting of the tank on the steady turning roll response of the vehicle is analyzed, and an optimal order of unloading the compartmented tank is discussed.     

Roll Plane Analysis of Articulated Tank Vehicles During Steady Turning

SUMMARY

The rollover immunity levels of articulated tank vehicles with partial loads are investigated. A static roll plane model of the articulated vehicle employing partially filled cylindrical tank is developed. The vertical and lateral translation of the liquid cargo due to vehicle roll angle and lateral acceleration, encountered during steady turning, are evaluated. The roll moments arising from vertical and lateral translation of the liquid cargo are determined and incorporated in the roll plane model of the vehicle. The adverse influence of the unique interactions of the liquid within the tank vehicle, on the rollover limit of the articulated vehicle is demonstrated. The influence of compartmenting of the tank on the steady turning roll response of the vehicle is analyzed, and an optimal order of unloading the compartmented tank is discussed.     

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.     

非满载液罐半挂汽车列车侧向耦合动力学模型

为方便液罐半挂汽车列车（Tractor Semi-trailer Tank Vehicle,TSTTV）罐-车整体的优化设计匹配,综合提高整车的侧倾稳定性、侧向动力学稳定性及操纵特性,基于Lagrange方法和椭圆规摆等效机械液体晃动模型建立TSTTV的整车侧向耦合动力学模型,其典型特征是实现罐内液体侧向晃动与车辆横摆运动、侧向运动、悬挂质量的侧倾运动及非线性侧向轮胎力的集成一体化建模,贯通液体晃动动力学与车辆侧向动力学稳定性之间的联系。通过开环正弦停滞转向输入操作响应对所建立的模型进行分析评价,考察车辆横摆角速度、质心侧偏角、侧倾角、侧向载荷转移率及液体晃动角等状态量在2种充液比（F_L=40%,80%）及2种罐体椭圆率（Δ=1.0,1.3）下的响应。研究结果表明：所建立的TSTTV模型可以实现液体侧向晃动作用下的车辆侧向耦合动力学仿真分析,能够反映充液比、罐体截面椭圆率等运输条件和罐体几何参数对整车侧倾稳定性、侧向动力学稳定性及操纵特性的影响;基于该模型可以针对液体介质、充液比及道路环境等运输条件因素的影响,研究以提高整车侧向动力学稳定性为目标的TSTTV灌-车整体的优化设计匹配问题,这对提升液罐车的设计性能、提高行驶的安全性和运输效率具有重要意义。     

Stability and optimised H∞ control of tripped and untripped vehicle rollover

Vehicle rollover is a serious traffic accident. In order to accurately evaluate the possibility of untripped and some special tripped vehicle rollovers, and to prevent vehicle rollover under unpredictable variations of parameters and harsh driving conditions, a new rollover index and an anti-roll control strategy are proposed in this paper. Taking deflections of steering and suspension induced by the roll at the axles into consideration, a six degrees of freedom dynamic model is established, including lateral, yaw, roll, and vertical motions of sprung and unsprung masses. From the vehicle dynamics theory, a new rollover index is developed to predict vehicle rollover risk under both untripped and special tripped situations. This new rollover index is validated by Carsim simulations. In addition, an H-infinity controller with electro hydraulic brake system is optimised by genetic algorithm to improve the anti-rollover performance of the vehicle. The stability and robustness of the active rollover prevention control system are analysed by some numerical simulations. The results show that the control system can improve the critical speed of vehicle rollover obviously, and has a good robustness for variations in the number of passengers and longitude position of the centre of gravity.     

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.     

Design of rollover prevention controller with linear matrix inequality-based trajectory sensitivity minimisation

This paper presents a method to design a rollover prevention controller for vehicle systems. The vehicle rollover can be prevented by a controller that minimises the lateral acceleration and the roll angle. Rollover prevention capability can be enhanced if the controlled vehicle system is robust to the variation of the height of the centre of gravity and the speed of the vehicle. For this purpose, a robust controller is designed with linear matrix inequality-based trajectory sensitivity minimisation. Differential braking and active suspension are adopted as actuators that generate yaw and roll moments, respectively. The newly proposed method is shown to be effective in preventing rollover by the simulation on a non-linear multibody dynamic simulation software, CarSim^®.     

Investigation into untripped rollover of light vehicles in the modified fishhook and the sine maneuvers. Part I: Vehicle modelling, roll and yaw instability

Vehicle rollovers may occur under steering-only maneuvers because of roll or yaw instability. In this paper, the modified fishhook and the sine maneuvers are used to investigate a vehicle's rollover resistance capability through simulation. A 9-degrees of freedom (DOF) vehicle model is first developed for the investigation. The vehicle model includes the roll, yaw, pitch, and bounce modes and passive independent suspensions. It is verified with the existing 3-DOF roll-yaw model. A rollover critical factor (RCF) quantifying a vehicle's rollover resistance capability is then constructed based on the static stability factor (SSF) and taking into account the influence of other key dynamic factors.

Simulation results show that the vehicle with certain parameters will rollover during the fishhook maneuver because of roll instability; however, the vehicle with increased suspension stiffness, which does not rollover during the fishhook maneuver, may exceed its rollover resistance limit because of yaw instability during the sine maneuver. Typically, rollover in the sine maneuver happens after several cycles.

It has been found that the proposed RCF well quantifies the rollover resistance capability of a vehicle for the two specified maneuvers. In general, the larger the RCF, the more kinetically stable is a vehicle. A vehicle becomes unstable when its RCF is less than zero. Detailed discussion on the effects of key vehicle system parameters and drive conditions on the RCF in the fishhook and the sine maneuver is presented in Part II of this study.     

Estimation of land vehicle roll and pitch angles

In this article, two kinematics-based observers are proposed to estimate the vehicle roll and pitch angles by using an inertial measurement unit. The observers are mathematically proven to be stable if the vehicle yaw rate is not zero. With a design variation of the observer gains, the estimated roll or pitch angle is shown to further asymptotically converge to the true value, eliminating possible errors caused by the biases of the acceleration signals. Simulation results show that accurate estimation of both pitch and roll angles can be achieved without the help of external sensors such as global positioning systems, either by using the accelerometer-based reference pitch or roll angle as the maneuver varies, or by using an observer with zero steady-state error property.