Heavy-duty vehicle modelling and longitudinal control

This paper addresses modelling, longitudinal control design and implementation for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). The challenging problems here are: (a) an HDV is mass dominant with low power to mass ratio; (b) They possess large actuator delay and actuator saturation. To reduce model mismatch, it is necessary to obtain a nonlinear model which is as simple as the control design method can handle and as complicated as necessary to capture the intrinsic vehicle dynamics. A second order nonlinear vehicle body dynamical model is adopted, which is feedback linearizable. Beside the vehicle dynamics, other main dynamical components along the power-train and drive-train are also modelled, which include turbocharged diesel engine, torque converter, transmission, transmission retarder, pneumatic brake and tyre. The braking system is the most challenging part for control design, which contains three parts: Jake (engine compression) brake, air brake and transmission retarder. The modelling for each is provided. The use of engine braking effect is new complementary to Jake (compression) brake for longitudinal control, which is united with Jake brake in modelling. The control structure can be divided into upper level and lower level. Upper level control uses sliding mode control to generate the desired torque from the desired vehicle acceleration. Lower level control is divided into two branches: (a) engine control: from positive desired torque to desired fuel rate (engine control) using a static engine mapping which basically captures the intrinsic dynamic performance of the turbo-charged diesel engine; (b) brake control: from desired negative torque to generate Jake brake cylinder number to be activated and ON/OFF time periods, applied pneumatic brake pressure and applied voltage of transmission retarder. Test results are also reported.     

发动机制动、排气制动与缓速器联合作用时的非连续线性控制系统的研究

针对客车发动机制动、排气制动的制动扭矩比较小的问题,提出采用发动机制动、排气制动与缓速器联合作用的持续制动方式,并且针对汽车在山区道路下坡行驶过程中对稳定车速的要求,进行了相应的控制系统设计。模拟分析结果表明:该控制系统可以保证汽车在不采用行车制动器的条件下,利用发动机制动、排气制动与缓速器联合作用的持续制动方式,在各种坡度的坡道上以希望的车速稳定下坡行驶,为汽车在山区道路连续下坡行驶的制动安全性提供了一个合理的解决方案。     

Hydraulic retarders for heavy vehicles: Analysis of fluid mechanics and computational fluid dynamics on braking torque and temperature rise

Hydraulic retarders are auxiliary braking devices that reduce the velocity of a vehicle, particularly when a vehicle is driven downhill. Such velocity reduction could reduce the potential risk caused by brake failure caused by the service brake working for a long time and the temperature of the brake shoe becomes extremely high. This paper introduces the construction of the hydraulic retarder and proposes two mathematical models for the hydraulic retarder. The first mathematical model is deduced by using fluid mechanics, which is used to analyze the mechanism of how braking torque is produced and the key factors that can influence the value of the braking torque. The second mathematical model is deduced by using thermodynamics, which is used to quantify the heat produced by the hydraulic retarder. This research emphasizes that the flow rate and the average velocity of the working fluid in the working chamber mainly determine the braking torque of the hydraulic retarder. The flow rate into and out of the working chamber determines the temperature rise of the working fluid. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are conducted with the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulent models. Experiments are carried out to justify the two mathematical models and the CFD simulations. The results show that the mathematical models are capable of describing the force analysis and energy conversion of the hydraulic retarder and SST is more accurate for CFD simulation and the error is within 6 %.     

Nonlinear optimal integrated vehicle control using individual braking torque and steering angle with on-line control allocation by using state-dependent Riccati equation technique

This paper proposes the solution of state-dependent Riccati equation as a nonlinear optimal regulator to stabilise the motion dynamics of the vehicle model subjected to sudden disturbance inputs in the lateral direction. The proposed nonlinear regulator coordinates individually actuated wheel braking torque and steering wheel angle simultaneously in an optimal manner. Performance criteria are satisfied by solving the Riccati equation based on the given cost function subjected to the nonlinear vehicle dynamics. On-line control allocation in terms of optimal brake torque distribution enhanced by optimal wheel steering angle input is achieved. Furthermore, the proposed optimal nonlinear regulator is an active fault-tolerant control system against partial by-wire actuator failures while guaranteeing stability with good performance due to its capability to allocate the individual control inputs in an optimal way. The main aim is to stabilise the motion dynamics of the vehicle model during short-term emergency situations along the desired straight trajectory manageable by average drivers and to provide vehicle stability and handling predictability through the interaction of individual wheel braking and steering actuators. Simulation results are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.     

Extended-Kalman-filter-based regenerative and friction blended braking control for electric vehicle equipped with axle motor considering damping and elastic properties of electric powertrain

Because of the damping and elastic properties of an electrified powertrain, the regenerative brake of an electric vehicle (EV) is very different from a conventional friction brake with respect to the system dynamics. The flexibility of an electric drivetrain would have a negative effect on the blended brake control performance. In this study, models of the powertrain system of an electric car equipped with an axle motor are developed. Based on these models, the transfer characteristics of the motor torque in the driveline and its effect on blended braking control performance are analysed. To further enhance a vehicle's brake performance and energy efficiency, blended braking control algorithms with compensation for the powertrain flexibility are proposed using an extended Kalman filter. These algorithms are simulated under normal deceleration braking. The results show that the brake performance and blended braking control accuracy of the vehicle are significantly enhanced by the newly proposed algorithms.     

Fault-tolerant braking control with integerated EMBs and regenerative in-wheel motors

This paper presents a fault-tolerant brake torque controller for four-wheel-distributed braking systems with in-wheel motors and Electro-Mechanical Brakes (EMB). Mechanical and electrical faults can degrade the performance of the EMB actuators and, thus, their effects need to be compensated in vehicle dynamics level. In this study, the faults are identified as performance degradation and expressed by the gains of each actuator. Assuming the brake force distribution and the regenerative braking ratios, the over-actuated braking system is simplified into a two-input system. A sliding mode controller is designed to track the driver’s braking and steering commands, even if there exist faults in EMBs. In addition, adaptive schemes are constructed to achieve the fault-tolerant control in braking. The proposed controller and strategies are verified in the EMB HILS (Hardware-in-loop-simulation) unit for various conditions.     

Brake Valve Timing and Fuel Injection: a Unified Engine Torque Actuator for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

A unified engine torque actuator for heavy-duty vehicles is developed in this paper. Based on averaging and identification of the instantaneous torque response for changes in brake valve timing and fuel flow, we derive a control oriented engine model of a six cylinder, 350 Hp turbocharged diesel engine, equipped with a compression brake. This work bridges the gap between the detailed compression crank angle based models developed in the engine design community, and the first order lag representation of diesel engine torque response used in the vehicle dynamics community. Moreover, we integrate the compression brake actuator with the service brakes and design a PI-controller that emulates the driver's actions during long descends on grades. The controller simply uses the engine speed measurement to activate the service brakes only when needed.     

Brake Valve Timing and Fuel Injection: a Unified Engine Torque Actuator for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

A unified engine torque actuator for heavy-duty vehicles is developed in this paper. Based on averaging and identification of the instantaneous torque response for changes in brake valve timing and fuel flow, we derive a control oriented engine model of a six cylinder, 350 Hp turbocharged diesel engine, equipped with a compression brake. This work bridges the gap between the detailed compression crank angle based models developed in the engine design community, and the first order lag representation of diesel engine torque response used in the vehicle dynamics community. Moreover, we integrate the compression brake actuator with the service brakes and design a PI-controller that emulates the driver's actions during long descends on grades. The controller simply uses the engine speed measurement to activate the service brakes only when needed.     

A vehicle stability control strategy with adaptive neural network sliding mode theory based on system uncertainty approximation

Modelling uncertainty, parameter variation and unknown external disturbance are the major concerns in the development of an advanced controller for vehicle stability at the limits of handling. Sliding mode control (SMC) method has proved to be robust against parameter variation and unknown external disturbance with satisfactory tracking performance. But modelling uncertainty, such as errors caused in model simplification, is inevitable in model-based controller design, resulting in lowered control quality. The adaptive radial basis function network (ARBFN) can effectively improve the control performance against large system uncertainty by learning to approximate arbitrary nonlinear functions and ensure the global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. In this paper, a novel vehicle dynamics stability control strategy is proposed using the adaptive radial basis function network sliding mode control (ARBFN-SMC) to learn system uncertainty and eliminate its adverse effects. This strategy adopts a hierarchical control structure which consists of reference model layer, yaw moment control layer, braking torque allocation layer and executive layer. Co-simulation using MATLAB/Simulink and AMESim is conducted on a verified 15-DOF nonlinear vehicle system model with the integrated-electro-hydraulic brake system (I-EHB) actuator in a Sine With Dwell manoeuvre. The simulation results show that ARBFN-SMC scheme exhibits superior stability and tracking performance in different running conditions compared with SMC scheme.     

An investigation of the effects of pneumatic actuator design on slip control for heavy vehicles

Progress in reducing actuator delays in pneumatic brake systems is opening the door for advanced anti-lock braking algorithms to be used on heavy goods vehicles. However, little has been published on slip controllers for air-braked heavy vehicles, or the effects of slow pneumatic actuation on their design and performance. This paper introduces a sliding mode slip controller for air-braked heavy vehicles. The effects of pneumatic actuator delays and flow rates on stopping performance and air (energy) consumption are presented through vehicle simulations. Finally, the simulations are validated with experiments using a hardware-in-the-loop rig. It is shown that for each wheel, pneumatic valves with delays smaller than 3 ms and orifice diameters around 8 mm provide the best performance.     

Development of an autonomous braking system using the predicted stopping distance

An autonomous braking system is designed using the prediction of the stopping distance. The stopping distance needs to be determined by considering several factors such as the desired deceleration and the speed of the hydraulic brake actuator. In particular, the actuator speed is very critical because it affects the shape of the deceleration response and it determines the accuracy of the predicted stopping distance. The autonomous braking control algorithm is designed based on the predicted stopping distance. The proposed autonomous braking system has been validated in autonomous vehicle tests and demonstrates that the subject vehicle can avoid the collision effectively.     

ISG hybrid powertrain: a rule-based driver model incorporating look-ahead information

According to European regulations, if the amount of regenerative braking is determined by the travel of the brake pedal, more stringent standards must be applied, otherwise it may adversely affect the existing vehicle safety system. The use of engine or vehicle speed to derive regenerative braking is one way to avoid strict design standards, but this introduces discontinuity in powertrain torque when the driver releases the acceleration pedal or applies the brake pedal. This is shown to cause oscillations in the pedal input and powertrain torque when a conventional driver model is adopted. Look-ahead information, together with other predicted vehicle states, are adopted to control the vehicle speed, in particular, during deceleration, and to improve the driver model so that oscillations can be avoided. The improved driver model makes analysis and validation of the control strategy for an integrated starter generator (ISG) hybrid powertrain possible.     

分布式驱动电动汽车回馈制动失效的液压补偿控制

分布式驱动电动汽车各驱动轮转速和转矩可以单独精确控制,便于实现整车动力学控制和制动能量回馈,从而提升车辆的主动安全性和行驶经济性。但车辆在回馈制动过程中,一旦1台电机突发故障,其他电机产生的制动力矩将对整车形成附加横摆力矩,从而造成车辆失稳,此时虽可通过截断异侧对应电机制动力矩输出来保证行驶方向,但会使车辆制动力大幅衰减或丧失,同样不利于行车安全。为了解决此问题,提出并验证一种基于电动助力液压制动系统的制动压力补偿控制方法,力图有效保证整车制动安全性。以轮毂电机驱动汽车为例,首先建立了整车动力学模型以及轮毂电机模型,通过仿真验证了回馈制动失效的整车失稳特性以及电机转矩截断控制的不足;然后,建立了电动助力液压制动系统模型,并通过原理样机的台架试验验证了模型的准确性;接着,基于滑模控制算法设计了制动压力补偿控制器,并在单侧电机再生制动失效后的转矩截断控制基础上完成了液压制动补偿控制效果仿真验证;最后,通过实车试验证明了所提控制方法的有效性和实用性。研究结果表明：在分布式驱动电动汽车单侧电机再生制动失效工况下,通过异侧电机转矩截断控制和制动系统的液压主动补偿,能够使车辆快速恢复稳定行驶并满足制动强度需求。     

电控机械式自动变速器制动装置研究

为实现电控机械式自动变速器（AMT）在升挡过程中对发动机以及变速器1轴的减速,使变速器目标挡位齿轮与输出轴同步最终实现换挡,文章设计了一种安装于变速器上的气动制动器。通过对变速器中间轴进行制动,实现减速升挡。安装试验结果表明,该气动制动器满足了在升挡过程中对发动机以及变速器1轴的减速要求。该制动装置具有结构简单及响应快速的特点,有效提高了换挡品质。     

发动机制动、排气制动与缓行器联合作用的模糊控制系统研究

针对客车山区道路下坡行驶过程中对稳定车速的要求，对客车发动机制动、排气制动与缓行器联合作用时的制动模糊控制系统进行了设计和模拟分析。结果表明此控制系统可以保证汽车在不采用主制动器的条件下，利用发动机制动、排气制动与缓行器联合作用的持续制动方式，在各种坡度的坡道上以希望的车速稳定下坡行驶。     

液力缓速器恒速控制策略的仿真研究

简述了液力缓速器工作原理,并给出了所研究液力缓速器台架试验得到的转子转速与制动扭矩之间关系曲线.利用Matlab软件建立了车辆恒速下坡制动模型,通过仿真对比了控制周期、充液量初始值和每个控制周期内充液量变化值等参数对恒速控制效果的影响.根据液力缓速器控制参数的仿真结果,选定各参数最佳值进行了实车道路试验.结果表明,仿真得到的恒速控制策略应用到实际控制中是有效的.     

发动机制动技术运用分析

当今汽车逐渐向大功率、高速度等方向发展,对汽车制动性能提出了越来越高的要求。为了减少交通事故,保证行车安全,有效利用发动机辅助制动技术显得尤为重要。本文通过分析发动机制动工作原理及其对汽车制动性能的影响,发动机缓速器和发动机排气辅助制动装置的结构特点、工作特性,提出了实施发动机制动的必要性和发动机制动技术运用要领。     

线控制动系统防抱死特性模糊控制方法的仿真研究

作者研究分析了直接影响汽车行驶安全性能的汽车制动系统的重要组成部分,阐述了以油或空气作为传力介质的传统制动系统必将被全电的制动系统——线控制动系统所取代,线控制动系统是未来制动系统的发展方向。介绍了线控制动系统的分类、结构和工作原理;建立了线控制动系统和制动执行器的数学模型,以1/4车辆模型为研究对象,设计了模糊控制器,并在Matlab/Simulink下进行了仿真分析。仿真结果表明,模糊控制对线控制动系统的防抱死特性取得了理想的控制效果。     

客车辅助制动技术探讨

对客车辅助制动系统作了探讨,分析了辅助制动系统的制动效果,并就目前应用较为广泛的发动机制动／排气制动、电涡流缓速器、蔽力缓速器泳磁式缓速器和自励式缓速器等作了详细的介绍,分析了各种辅助制动装置的优缺点和国内外应用研究现状。     

能量回收式电涡流缓速器制动策略研究

文章结合电涡流缓速器和再生制动能量回收技术的优点,提出了能量回收式电涡流缓速器制动补偿策略。利用再生制动系统提供的制动力矩为电涡流缓速器在持续制动过程中的制动力矩热衰退予以补偿。以GB12676-2014政策法规为验证标准,车辆在满载情况下在7%的坡道上保持以30km/h的车速匀速行驶5km为仿真目标,对某商用车型进行仿真分析。验证了该策略使得实际产生的总制动力矩始终能满足驾驶员的制动需求,可以延缓电涡流缓速器温升,保障车辆行车安全。