Rear wheel torque vectoring model predictive control with velocity regulation for electric vehicles

In this paper we propose a constrained optimal control architecture for combined velocity, yaw and sideslip regulation for stabilisation of the vehicle near the limit of lateral acceleration using the rear axle electric torque vectoring configuration of an electric vehicle. A nonlinear vehicle and tyre model are used to find reference steady-state cornering conditions and design two model predictive control (MPC) strategies of different levels of fidelity: one that uses a linearised version of the full vehicle model with the rear wheels' torques as the input, and another one that neglects the wheel dynamics and uses the rear wheels' slips as the input instead. After analysing the relative trade-offs between performance and computational effort, we compare the two MPC strategies against each other and against an unconstrained optimal control strategy in Simulink and Carsim environment.     

An optimal torque distribution control strategy for four-independent wheel drive electric vehicles

In this paper, an optimal torque distribution approach is proposed for electric vehicle equipped with four independent wheel motors to improve vehicle handling and stability performance. A novel objective function is formulated which works in a multifunctional way by considering the interference among different performance indices: forces and moment errors at the centre of gravity of the vehicle, actuator control efforts and tyre workload usage. To adapt different driving conditions, a weighting factors tuning scheme is designed to adjust the relative weight of each performance in the objective function. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal torque distribution is evaluated by simulations with CarSim and Matlab/Simulink. The simulation results under different driving scenarios indicate that the proposed control strategy can effectively improve the vehicle handling and stability even in slippery road conditions.     

电动汽车转矩定向分配差速器建模与动态仿真

本文中提出一种新型具备转矩定向分配功能差速器的集中式电驱动桥系统。该集中驱动系统可以在不改变总驱动转矩的条件下,类似分布式驱动方式实现驱动转矩在左右轮间的任意分配,从而产生改变车辆横摆动力学的直接横摆力偶矩。首先,分析了转矩定向分配差速器结构特点及其工作原理;其次,利用键合图理论建立了其动力学模型,并仿真分析了其动态响应特性;然后,设计了转矩响应控制系统以改善该差速器的动态性能;最后,嵌入整车模型进行了联合仿真。结果表明,装备该差速器的车辆可任意分配左右轮驱动转矩,并有效改善车辆操控特性。     

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.     

The Steering Characteristics of Multiple Axle Bogie Systems

SUMMARY

Legislation limits the load that may be transferred to the roadway by the axies of a commercial vehicle and this has resulted in the development of multi axle bogies for both the tractor and trailer units of articulated vehicles and at the rear of rigid vehicles, some of these bogies contain self steering or articulation steered axles

Experience shows that the tyre wear characteristics of multi axle bogies may be unsatisfactory. The paper analyses the role of such bogies in the context of vehicle handling and shows how the lateral tyre forces vary between the axles. An hypotheses relating the forces in a steady state turn to wear is given. The analysis may also be applied to the general case of vehicle handling.     

Effect of handling characteristics on minimum time cornering with torque vectoring

In this paper, the effect of both passive and actively-modified vehicle handling characteristics on minimum time manoeuvring for vehicles with 4-wheel torque vectoring (TV) capability is studied. First, a baseline optimal TV strategy is sought, independent of any causal control law. An optimal control problem (OCP) is initially formulated considering 4 independent wheel torque inputs, together with the steering angle rate, as the control variables. Using this formulation, the performance benefit using TV against an electric drive train with a fixed torque distribution, is demonstrated. The sensitivity of TV-controlled manoeuvre time to the passive understeer gradient of the vehicle is then studied. A second formulation of the OCP is introduced where a closed-loop TV controller is incorporated into the system dynamics of the OCP. This formulation allows the effect of actively modifying a vehicle's handling characteristic via TV on its minimum time cornering performance of the vehicle to be assessed. In particular, the effect of the target understeer gradient as the key tuning parameter of the literature-standard steady-state linear single-track model yaw rate reference is analysed.     

电动轮驱动的混合动力汽车开发方案

分析了目前世界上典型的混合动力汽车动力总成方案,从结构模式、汽车性能以及具体布置型式3方面进行了详细地比较。提出了一种采用电动轮驱动的混合动力汽车开发方案,该方案基于某型轿车平台进行混合动力汽车的设计,动力总成采用ISG并联混合模式。同时在后轮安装2个轮毂电机,实现电动轮驱动模式。该技术开发方案,对电动轮技术以及混合动力开发技术的研究与发展具有十分重要的参考意义。     

电驱动桥开发设计流程的研究

电驱动后桥作为集成化的设计可以减少整车空间体积的占用,为整车电池、电机控制器等零部件的布置提供更多的空间,在纯电动商务车中有着很大的优势,文章阐述了一种电驱动后桥开发设计流程的研究方法,为电驱动后桥的开发设计提供更多的研究方法。     

基于小波控制的电动汽车稳定性研究（双语出版）

针对前轮独立驱动电动汽车,研究一种基于小波控制器的驱动稳定性控制系统。为提高车辆对开路面的行驶稳定性,根据驱动轮等转矩分配控制策略,提出基于神经网络PID的驱动轮滑移率相近为目标控制策略。针对矢量控制中的电流控制,提出基于离散小波变换的电流控制器。通过CarSim/Simulink建立前轮独立驱动电动汽车联合仿真平台,进行不同工况整车性能仿真与分析,并基于A&D5435快速原型开发平台进行实车试验。仿真与试验结果表明：基于小波控制器的驱动控制系统不仅提高了车辆对开路面行驶的稳定性,而且具有更平滑、更快速的转矩响应;对开路面工况下,提出的控制策略左侧、右侧驱动轮速度仿真结果与试验结果最大偏差分别为3.43%和3.56%;等转矩分配控制策略下,左侧、右侧驱动轮速度仿真结果与试验结果最大偏差分别为3.86%和3.25%,表明了试验与仿真的一致性;对开路面仿真工况下,相比于驱动轮等转矩分配控制策略,基于神经网络PID的驱动轮滑移率相近为目标控制策略的车辆峰值质心侧偏角降低了79.57%,侧向跑偏距离降低了73.39%。     

A theoretical model of speed-dependent steering torque for rolling tyres

ABSTRACT

It is well known that the tyre steering torque is highly dependent on the tyre rolling speed. In limited cases, i.e. parking manoeuvre, the steering torque approaches the maximum. With the increasing tyre speed, the steering torque decreased rapidly. Accurate modelling of the speed-dependent behaviour for the tyre steering torque is a key factor to calibrate the electric power steering (EPS) system and tune the handling performance of vehicles. However, no satisfactory theoretical model can be found in the existing literature to explain this phenomenon. This paper proposes a new theoretical framework to model this important tyre behaviour, which includes three key factors: (1) tyre three-dimensional transient rolling kinematics with turn-slip; (2) dynamical force and moment generation; and (3) the mixed Lagrange–Euler method for contact deformation solving. A nonlinear finite-element code has been developed to implement the proposed approach. It can be found that the main mechanism for the speed-dependent steering torque is due to turn-slip-related kinematics. This paper provides a theory to explain the complex mechanism of the tyre steering torque generation, which helps to understand the speed-dependent tyre steering torque, tyre road feeling and EPS calibration.     

摩擦片式防滑差速器转矩特性对汽车操纵稳定性的影响研究

进行了摩擦片式防滑差速器防滑转矩输出特性测定试验,并分别对装有摩擦片式防滑差速器和普通差速器的汽车,通过试验测定的车厢侧倾角、转弯半径比、前后轴侧偏角差值、横摆角速度及侧向加速度作为对比参数,研究了摩擦片式防滑差速器转矩特性对汽车操纵稳定性的影响。结果表明,摩擦片式防滑差速器能够显著提高汽车的动力性、通过性,改善汽车的操纵稳定性。     

HFF6127G03EV纯电动客车整车开发

简要介绍HFF6127G03EV纯电动客车整车的开发和高压电气件及驱动控制系统的设计;采用轮边电驱桥和铝合金车身等新技术、新材料,对整车匹配进行优化,以提高整车的动力性、安全性、节能和环保性能。     

The Steering Characteristics of Multiple Axle Bogie Systems

Legislation limits the load that may be transferred to the roadway by the axies of a commercial vehicle and this has resulted in the development of multi axle bogies for both the tractor and trailer units of articulated vehicles and at the rear of rigid vehicles, some of these bogies contain self steering or articulation steered axles

Experience shows that the tyre wear characteristics of multi axle bogies may be unsatisfactory. The paper analyses the role of such bogies in the context of vehicle handling and shows how the lateral tyre forces vary between the axles. An hypotheses relating the forces in a steady state turn to wear is given. The analysis may also be applied to the general case of vehicle handling.     

Lateral handling improvement with dynamic curvature control for an independent rear wheel drive EV

The integrated longitudinal and lateral dynamic motion control is important for four wheel independent drive (4WID) electric vehicles. Under critical driving conditions, direct yaw moment control (DYC) has been proved as effective for vehicle handling stability and maneuverability by implementing optimized torque distribution of each wheel, especially with independent wheel drive electric vehicles. The intended vehicle path upon driver steering input is heavily depending on the instantaneous vehicle speed, body side slip and yaw rate of a vehicle, which can directly affect the steering effort of driver. In this paper, we propose a dynamic curvature controller (DCC) by applying a the dynamic curvature of the path, derived from vehicle dynamic state variables; yaw rate, side slip angle, and speed of a vehicle. The proposed controller, combined with DYC and wheel longitudinal slip control, is to utilize the dynamic curvature as a target control parameter for a feedback, avoiding estimating the vehicle side-slip angle. The effectiveness of the proposed controller, in view of stability and improved handling, has been validated with numerical simulations and a series of experiments during cornering engaging a disturbance torque driven by two rear independent in-wheel motors of a 4WD micro electric vehicle.     

A combined-slip predictive control of vehicle stability with experimental verification

In this paper, a model predictive vehicle stability controller is designed based on a combined-slip LuGre tyre model. Variations in the lateral tyre forces due to changes in tyre slip ratios are considered in the prediction model of the controller. It is observed that the proposed combined-slip controller takes advantage of the more accurate tyre model and can adjust tyre slip ratios based on lateral forces of the front axle. This results in an interesting closed-loop response that challenges the notion of braking only the wheels on one side of the vehicle in differential braking. The performance of the proposed controller is evaluated in software simulations and is compared to a similar pure-slip controller. Furthermore, experimental tests are conducted on a rear-wheel drive electric Chevrolet Equinox equipped with differential brakes to evaluate the closed-loop response of the model predictive control controller.     

Experimental investigations on continuous regenerative anti-lock braking system of full electric vehicle

Functions of anti-lock braking for full electric vehicles (EV) with individually controlled wheel drive can be realized through conventional brake system actuating friction brakes and regenerative brake system actuating electric motors. To analyze advantages and limitations of both variants of anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the presented study introduces results of experimental investigations obtained from proving ground tests of all-wheel drive EV. The brake performance is assessed for three different configurations: hydraulic ABS; regenerative ABS only on the front axle; blended hydraulic and regenerative ABS on the front axle and hydraulic ABS on the rear axle. The hydraulic ABS is based on a rule-based controller, and the continuous regenerative ABS uses the gain-scheduled proportional-integral direct slip control with feedforward and feedback control parts. The results of tests on low-friction road surface demonstrated that all the ABS configurations guarantee considerable reduction of the brake distance compared to the vehicle without ABS. In addition, braking manoeuvres with the regenerative ABS are characterized by accurate tracking of the reference wheel slip that results in less oscillatory time profile of the vehicle deceleration and, as consequence, in better driving comfort. The results of the presented experimental investigations can be used in the process of selection of ABS architecture for upcoming generations of full electric vehicles with individual wheel drive.     

4WD汽车应用粘性联轴器分析

粘性联轴器这一新装置以其独有的特性在四轮驱动汽车上得到广泛应用，粘性联轴器一经确定结构，即可通过转速差自动调节传递转矩的特性，分析了四轮驱动汽车采用粘性联轴器的可能性，介绍了采用粘性联轴器连接的四轮驱动形式和工作原理，阐述了汽车速度，轮胎滑移率对粘性联轴器转速差的影响。     

Development and implementation of a torque vectoring algorithm for an innovative 4WD driveline for a high-performance vehicle

The sporting spirit that characterises a high-performance car can be observed in certain technical solutions. The power distribution on the rear wheels is the simplest example of that. It is well known that rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles are more fun to drive and faster in their reactions. Unfortunately, they are also less intuitive and harder to control because of their natural oversteering behaviour. The idea of maintaining an RWD driveline in the future is not farseeing, because it would imply an excessive tyre dimension increasing to let the driver use all engine power in many cornering and low-friction conditions. The choice of adopting a part-time all-wheel drive (AWD) driveline comes from the will of enhancing the overall performance by using all the available friction every time that it is needed. It has to be kept into account that a normally aspirated motor of a sport car can supply 500–600 Hp nowadays, and that it will supply 700–800 Hp in the very near future. However, the proposed driveline has not to worsen the weight characteristics (mass and load distribution) that make an RWD vehicle better than other cars. Because of all these considerations and constraints, a new driveline system has been designed. It derives from an RWD driveline with a semi-active differential, to which has been added a controlled wet clutch that directly connects the engine to the front differential. This device allows the drive torque to be distributed between the two axles. It can be understood that in such a device, the torque distribution does not depend only on the central clutch action, but also on the engaged gear. Because of this particular layout, this system can not work in the whole gear range because of thermal problems due to kinematical reasons. So the centre clutch controller has to consider the gear position too. The control algorithms development was carried out using a vehicle model, which can precisely simulate the handling response, the powertrain dynamic, and the actuation system behaviour. Such a modelling precision required the development of a customised powertrain model library in Matlab/Simulink.     

Independent control of all-wheel-drive torque distribution

The sophistication of all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology is approaching the point where the drive torque to each wheel can be independently controlled. This potentially offers vehicle handling enhancements similar to those provided by dynamic stability control, but without the inevitable reduction in vehicle acceleration. Independent control of AWD torque distribution would therefore be especially beneficial under acceleration close to the limit of stability. A vehicle model of a typical sports sedan was developed in Simulink, with fully independent control of torque distribution. Box–Behnken experimental design was employed to determine which torque distribution parameters have the greatest impact on the vehicle course and acceleration. A proportional-integral control strategy was implemented, applying yaw rate feedback to vary the front–rear torque distribution and lateral acceleration feedback to adjust the left–right distribution. The resulting system shows a significant improvement over conventional driveline configurations under aggressive cornering acceleration on a high-μ surface. The performance approaches the theoretical limit for these conditions. In the medium term, such a system is only likely to be economically viable for premium vehicles. However, a future revolution of powertrain technology towards, for example, wheel-mounted motors, could realize these handling benefits far more widely.     

A tyre slip-based integrated chassis control of front/rear traction distribution and four-wheel independent brake from moderate driving to limit handling

This paper presents a tyre slip-based integrated chassis control of front/rear traction distribution and four-wheel braking for enhanced performance from moderate driving to limit handling. The proposed algorithm adopted hierarchical structure: supervisor – desired motion tracking controller – optimisation-based control allocation. In the supervisor, by considering transient cornering characteristics, desired vehicle motion is calculated. In the desired motion tracking controller, in order to track desired vehicle motion, virtual control input is determined in the manner of sliding mode control. In the control allocation, virtual control input is allocated to minimise cost function. The cost function consists of two major parts. First part is a slip-based tyre friction utilisation quantification, which does not need a tyre force estimation. Second part is an allocation guideline, which guides optimally allocated inputs to predefined solution. The proposed algorithm has been investigated via simulation from moderate driving to limit handling scenario. Compared to Base and direct yaw moment control system, the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce tyre dissipation energy in the moderate driving situation. Moreover, the proposed algorithm enhances limit handling performance compared to Base and direct yaw moment control system. In addition to comparison with Base and direct yaw moment control, comparison the proposed algorithm with the control algorithm based on the known tyre force information has been conducted. The results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is similar with that of the control algorithm with the known tyre force information.