Improving vehicle dynamics by active rear wheel steering systems

This article presents two design strategies for an active rear wheel steering control system. The first method is a standard design procedure based on the well-known single track model. The aim of the feedback loop is to track a reference yaw rate in order to improve the handling behaviour. Unfortunately, a reasonable specification of the reference yaw rate proves to be a nontrivial task. A second approach avoids this drawback. The structure of the controller is regarded as a virtual mass-spring-damper system with adjustable parameters. Due to the high abstraction level of this method, the controller parameters can be tuned intuitively. Experiments with a prototype vehicle illustrate the effectiveness of the two proposed methodologies.     

Lane-keeping benefits of practical rear axle steer

The classic two-degree-of-freedom yaw-plane or ‘bicycle’ vehicle model is augmented with two additional states to describe lane-keeping behaviour and further augmented with an additional control input to steer the rear axle. A simple driver model is hypothesised where the driver closes a loop on a projected lateral lane position. The driver can select the preview distance to compensate driver/vehicle dynamics, consistent with the ‘cross-over’ model found in the literature. A rear axle steer control law is found to be a function of the front axle steering input and vehicle speed that exhibits stability similar to a positive-real system, while at the same time improving the ability of the driver/vehicle system to track a complex curved lane and improving steady-state manoeuvrability. The theoretically derived control law bears similarity to practical embodiments allowing a deeper understanding of the functional value of steering a rear axle.     

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.     

Stability control of 4WS vehicles using robust IMC techniques

A robust nonparametric approach to vehicle stability control by means of a four-wheel steer by wire system is introduced. Both yaw rate and sideslip angle feedbacks are used in order to effectively take into account safety as well as handling performances. Reference courses for yaw rate and sideslip angle are computed on the basis of the vehicle speed and the handwheel angle imposed by the driver. An output multiplicative model set is used to describe the uncertainty arising from a wide range of vehicle operating situations. The effects of saturation of the control variables (i.e. front and rear steering angles) are taken into account by adopting enhanced internal model control methodologies in the design of the feedback controller. Actuator dynamics are considered in the controller design. Improvements on understeer characteristics, stability in demanding conditions such as turning on low friction surfaces, damping properties in impulsive manoeuvres, and improved handling in closed loop (i.e. with driver feedback) manoeuvres are shown through extensive simulation results performed on an accurate 14 degrees of freedom nonlinear model, which proved to give good modelling results as compared with collected experimental data.     

车-车协同下无人驾驶车辆的换道汇入控制方法

多车协同驾驶是智能车路系统领域的研究热点之一,可有效降低道路交通控制管理的复杂程度,减少环境污染的同时保障道路交通安全。基于多车协同驾驶控制结构,提出了一种无人驾驶车辆换道汇入的驾驶模型及策略,系统分析了多车协同运行状态的稳定条件。在综合分析无人驾驶车辆换道汇入的协作准则、安全性评估后,基于高阶多项式方法,结合车辆运行特性,通过引入乘坐舒适性的指标函数,设计得到无人驾驶车辆换道汇入的有效运动轨迹。通过研究汇入车辆与车队中汇入点前、后各车辆的运动关系,详细分析车辆发生碰撞的类型和影响因素,给出避免碰撞的条件准则,从而确保无人驾驶车辆汇入过程中多车行驶的安全性和稳定性。基于车辆运动学建立车辆位置误差模型,结合系统大范围渐进稳定的条件,选取线速度和角速度作为输入,应用李雅普诺夫稳定性理论和Backstepping非线性控制算法,设计了无人驾驶车辆换道汇入后的路径跟踪控制器。仿真试验和实车试验结果表明：所设计的换道汇入路径是可行、安全的,控制器具有良好的跟踪效果,纵向和横向的距离误差在15 cm以内,方向偏差的相对误差在10%以内。研究结果为智能车路系统中的多车状态变迁与协同驾驶研究提供了参考,可服务于未来道路交通安全设计和评价。     

Vehicle yaw stability control using active limited-slip differential via model predictive control methods

In this paper, the problem of vehicle yaw control using an active limited-slip differential (ALSD) applied on the rear axle is addressed. The controller objective is to minimise yaw-rate and body slip-angle errors, with respect to target values. A novel model predictive controller is designed, using a linear parameter-varying (LPV) vehicle model, which takes into account the ALSD dynamics and its constraints. The controller is simulated using a 10DOF Matlab/Simulink simulation model and a CarSim model. These simulations exemplify the controller yaw-rate and slip-angle tracking performances, under challenging manoeuvres and road conditions. The model predictive controller performances surpass those of a reference sliding mode controller, and can narrow the loss of performances due to the ALSD's inability to transfer torque regardless of driving conditions.     

New level of vehicle comfort and vehicle stability via utilisation of the suspensions anti-dive and anti-squat geometry

In this article a novel vehicle dynamics control concept is designed for a vehicle equipped with wheel individual electric traction machines, electronically controlled brakes and semi-active suspensions. The suspension's cross-couplings between traction forces and vertical forces via anti-dive and anti-squat geometry is utilised in the control concept to improve driving comfort and driving stability. The control concept is divided into one main and two cascaded branches. The main controller consists of a multivariable vehicle dynamics controller and a control allocation scheme to improve the vehicle's driving comfort. The cascaded feedback loops maintain the vehicle's stability according to wheel slip and vehicle sideslip. The performance of the combined vehicle dynamics controller is compared to a standard approach in simulation. It can be stated that the controller piloting semi-active suspensions together with brake and traction devices enables a superior performance regarding comfort and stability.     

Vehicle dynamic stability improvements through gain-scheduled steering and braking control

This paper is concerned with the synthesis of a robust gain-scheduled ?_∞ MIMO vehicle dynamic stability controller (VDSC) involving both steering and rear braking actuators. This VDSC aims at improving automotive vehicle yaw stability and lateral performances. The aim of this work is to provide a methodology to synthesise such a controller while taking into account the braking actuator limitations and use the steering actuator only if it is necessary. These objectives are treated in an original way by the synthesis of a parameter-dependent controller built in the LPV framework and by the solution of an LMI problem. The proposed solution is coupled with a local ABS strategy to guarantee slip stability and make the solution complete. Nonlinear time and frequency domain simulations on a complex full vehicle model (which has been validated on a real car), subject to critical driving situations, show the efficiency and robustness of the proposed solution.     

面向全矢量线控车辆极限运动的分层式协同控制

装配四轮分布式驱动-转向（4WID-4WIS）底盘的全矢量线控车辆具备多可控自由度、高速稳定性强的特点,是极限工况稳定裕度和安全性较高的理想车型。为了解决全矢量线控车辆在极限工况下纵横向控制冲突危害行车安全的问题,提出一种基于模型预测控制 （MPC） 的分层式车辆纵向和横向运动协同控制方法。建立基于单轨模型的期望运动状态识别方法,设计模型预测控制器转换动力学目标,采用泰勒展开和前向欧拉方法对预测模型进行线性离散化处理;设计基于负荷率的轮胎力优化分配方法,利用反正切轮胎逆模型求解控制执行量。仿真结果表明,协同控制方法能显著提高车辆在不同路面下的极限运动稳定性,更精准地跟踪期望运动状态,扩大稳定裕度,保障行车安全。     

A novel integrated chassis controller for full drive-by-wire vehicles

In this paper, a systematic design with multiple hierarchical layers is adopted in the integrated chassis controller for full drive-by-wire vehicles. A reference model and the optimal preview acceleration driver model are utilised in the driver control layer to describe and realise the driver's anticipation of the vehicle's handling characteristics, respectively. Both the sliding mode control and terminal sliding mode control techniques are employed in the vehicle motion control (MC) layer to determine the MC efforts such that better tracking performance can be attained. In the tyre force allocation layer, a polygonal simplification method is proposed to deal with the constraints of the tyre adhesive limits efficiently and effectively, whereby the load transfer due to both roll and pitch is also taken into account which directly affects the constraints. By calculating the motor torque and steering angle of each wheel in the executive layer, the total workload of four wheels is minimised during normal driving, whereas the MC efforts are maximised in extreme handling conditions. The proposed controller is validated through simulation to improve vehicle stability and handling performance in both open- and closed-loop manoeuvres.     

基于非线性模型预测控制的车辆纵向队列协调控制

本文中针对基于分层控制结构的车辆队列上、下层控制缺少联系的问题,提出了车辆队列跟驰与个体车辆动力学稳定性协调控制的思路,其基本思想是在保证队列中个体车辆安全稳定行驶的同时,尽可能实现队列跟驰控制的目标。基于非线性模型预测控制(nonlinear model predictive control,NMPC)方法设计了车辆队列协调控制方案,设计了包括跟驰间距误差、跟驰速度误差以及车速与车轮圆周速度差3个子目标的优化目标函数,将队列跟驰与车辆动力学稳定性的协调控制转化为约束优化控制问题;基于序列二次规划(sequential quadratic programming,SQP)方法进行求解,得到车辆前、后轴的制动/驱动力矩来实现上层决策输出的期望跟驰加速度。基于由3车辆组成的非线性队列模型对控制方案进行了仿真分析,结果表明,所提出的基于NMPC的车辆队列协调控制策略可以在大范围操纵工况下,在保证车辆安全稳定行驶的基础上实现队列的跟驰控制。     

无人驾驶机器人车辆非线性模糊滑模车速控制

为了实现不同行驶工况下车速的精确、稳定控制,提出一种基于非线性干扰观测器的无人驾驶机器人车辆模糊滑模车速控制方法。考虑模型不确定性和外部干扰对车速控制的影响,建立车辆纵向动力学模型。通过分析无人驾驶机器人油门机械腿、制动机械腿的结构、机械腿操纵自动挡车辆踏板的运动,建立油门机械腿和制动机械腿的运动学模型。在此基础上,分别设计油门/制动切换控制器、油门模糊滑模控制器以及制动模糊滑模控制器,并进行控制系统的稳定性分析。油门/制动切换控制器以目标车速的导数为输入来进行油门与制动之间的切换控制。油门模糊滑模控制器和制动模糊滑模控制器以当前车速以及车速误差为输入,分别以油门机械腿直线电机位移和制动机械腿直线电机位移为输出来实现对油门与制动的控制。模糊滑模控制器中,为了减少控制抖振,滑模控制的反馈增益系数由模糊逻辑进行在线调节。模糊滑模控制器中的非线性干扰观测器用于估计和补偿无人驾驶机器人车辆的模型不确定性与外部干扰。仿真及试验结果对比分析表明：本文方法能够精确地估计和补偿无人驾驶机器人车辆的模型不确定性和外部干扰,避免了油门控制与制动控制之间的频繁切换,并实现了精确稳定的车速控制。     

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.     

Active front wheel steering model and controller for integrated dynamics control systems

We report a model and controller for an active front-wheel steering (AFS) system. Two integrated dynamics control (IDC) systems are designed to investigate the performance of the AFS system when integrated with braking and steering systems. An 8-degrees-of-freedom vehicle model was employed to test the controllers. The controllers were inspected and compared under different driving and road conditions, with and without braking input, and with and without steering input. The results show that the AFS system performs kinematic steering assistance function and kinematic stabilisation function very well. Three controllers allowed the yaw rate to accurately follow a reference yaw rate, improving the lateral stability. The two IDC systems improved the lateral stability and vehicle control and were effective in reducing the sideslip angle.     

Optimal roll control of an articulated vehicle: theory and model validation

This paper investigates optimal roll control of an experimental articulated vehicle. The test vehicle and the mathematical model used to design the control strategies are presented. The vehicle model is validated against experimental data from the test vehicle in passive configuration. The initial controller design, performed by Sampson (Sampson, D.J.M. and Cebon, D., 2003a, Achievable roll stability of heavy road vehicles. Proc. Instn. Mech. Engrs, Part D, J. Automobile Engineering, 217(4), 269-287), is reviewed and adapted for the experimental vehicle. The effect of not controlling all the axles on the vehicle is investigated and a variable vehicle speed controller is designed by interpolating between constant speed controllers. Substantial reduction in normalized load transfer is achieved for a range of manoeuvres, both in steady-state and transient conditions.     

Optimal roll control of an articulated vehicle: theory and model validation

This paper investigates optimal roll control of an experimental articulated vehicle. The test vehicle and the mathematical model used to design the control strategies are presented. The vehicle model is validated against experimental data from the test vehicle in passive configuration. The initial controller design, performed by Sampson (Sampson, D.J.M. and Cebon, D., 2003a, Achievable roll stability of heavy road vehicles. Proc. Instn. Mech. Engrs, Part D, J. Automobile Engineering, 217(4), 269–287), is reviewed and adapted for the experimental vehicle. The effect of not controlling all the axles on the vehicle is investigated and a variable vehicle speed controller is designed by interpolating between constant speed controllers. Substantial reduction in normalized load transfer is achieved for a range of manoeuvres, both in steady-state and transient conditions.     

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。     

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.     

A driver-adaptive stability control strategy for sport utility vehicles

Conventional vehicle stability control (VSC) systems are designed for average drivers. For a driver with a good driving skill, the VSC systems may be redundant; for a driver with a poor driving skill, the VSC intervention may be inadequate. To increase safety of sport utility vehicles (SUVs), this paper proposes a novel driver-adaptive VSC (DAVSC) strategy based on scaling the target yaw rate commanded by the driver. The DAVSC system is adaptive to drivers’ driving skills. More control effort would be exerted for drivers with poor driving skills, and vice versa. A sliding mode control (SMC)-based differential braking (DB) controller is designed using a three degrees of freedom (DOF) yaw-plane model. An eight DOF nonlinear yaw-roll model is used to simulate the SUV dynamics. Two driver models, namely longitudinal and lateral, are used to ‘drive’ the virtual SUV. By integrating the virtual SUV, the DB controller, and the driver models, the performance of the DAVSC system is investigated. The simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the DAVSC strategy.     

Emergency steering control of autonomous vehicle for collision avoidance and stabilisation

ABSTRACT

Collision avoidance and stabilisation are two of the most crucial concerns when an autonomous vehicle finds itself in emergency situations, which usually occur in a short time horizon and require large actuator inputs, together with highly nonlinear tyre cornering response. In order to avoid collision while stabilising autonomous vehicle under dynamic driving situations at handling limits, this paper proposes a novel emergency steering control strategy based on hierarchical control architecture consisting of decision-making layer and motion control layer. In decision-making layer, a dynamic threat assessment model continuously evaluates the risk associated with collision and destabilisation, and a path planner based on kinematics and dynamics of vehicle system determines a collision-free path when it suddenly encounters emergency scenarios. In motion control layer, a lateral motion controller considering nonlinearity of tyre cornering response and unknown external disturbance is designed using tyre lateral force estimation-based backstepping sliding-mode control to track a collision-free path, and to ensure the robustness and stability of the closed-loop system. Both simulation and experiment results show that the proposed control scheme can effectively perform an emergency collision avoidance manoeuvre while maintaining the stability of autonomous vehicle in different running conditions.