Integrated modeling and optimization of a parallel hydraulic hybrid bus

Hydraulic hybrid powertrains are a critical technology used in buses to improve fuel economy and emission performance. New exploration in configuring a parallel hydraulic hybrid bus (PHHB) is developed in this paper with no changes made to the conventional base bus driveline. An integrated model and simulation of the parallel hydraulic hybrid bus is built based on AMESim, which is used to model the hydraulic powertrain and conventional bus driveline, and interlinked with a Matlab/Simulink/Stateflow model of the control unit. Compared to conventional buses, the fuel economy of the PHHB improved by 28% in real road tests at the SMVIC (National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Motor Products Quality (Shanghai)); the approximate improvement of fuel economy was 30% in simulated runs, which validates our model. Then a Non-linear Programming by Quadratic Lagrangian algorithm (NLPQL), is applied to optimize control strategies for improving fuel economy and emissions. Simulations also demonstrate that fuel economy and emission performance can be significantly improved. However, optimum parameters for maximum fuel economy and minimum emissions are not consistent. Simulation results show tradeoffs between fuel economy and emissions in PHHB, and optimal parameters can be selected by balancing design objectives.     

Simplified fatigue durability assessment for rear suspension structure

The eight-channel test rig is widely used in durability assessment of vehicle components while for some cases of rear suspension, this costly instrument is unnecessary. Based on the analysis of structure and forces, a simpler one-channel testing approach is presented for the durability calculation of a dependent rear suspension. Taking a punched rear shock tower as the study object, a FEA strain-stress analysis was first performed to determine the risk area. Then, the entire vehicle test system was created, and the proving ground tests were carried out so that the real strain on the part could be measured. Based on the road test data and the P-S-N curve of the component, the cumulative fatigue damage of a 15,000-kilometer proving ground test road was calculated, and the computational result indicates that the modified structure was safe for durability analysis. Moreover, a standard 50% S-N survival fraction curve was plotted using Corten and Dolan’s method, which can be utilized in the durability analysis for other similar components. Finally, the road test for this modified suspension structure was carried out, and the test result certified that the punched shock tower can be subjected to a 15,000-kilometer proving ground test road without the appearance of fatigue failure.     

Low cost design of parallel parking assist system based on an ultrasonic sensor

This paper presents a low cost design and implementation of a parallel parking assist system (PPAS) based on ultrasonic sensors. Generally, a PPAS requires several types of sensors, such as an ultrasonic sensor, camera sensor, radar sensor and laser sensor for parking space detection. However, our proposed PPAS only requires two ultrasonic sensors on the front and lateral sides for parking space detection. Moreover, a steering angle sensor and wheel speed sensor installed in the vehicle are used to obtain vehicle position information for localization in ultrasonic range data. The hardware architecture of the PPAS based on an electronic control unit (ECU) module, sensor modules and a human machine interface (HMI) module was proposed. Moreover, the software architecture of the PPAS is based on system initialization, scheduling, recognition and a control algorithm. In particular, a novel sensor algorithm was proposed to minimize the vehicle corner error of the ultrasonic sensor. A prototype of the PPAS based on the proposed architecture was constructed. The experimental results demonstrate that the implemented prototype is robust and successfully performs parking space detection and automatic steering control. Finally, the low cost design and implementation of the PPAS was possible due to the cheap ultrasonic sensors, simple hardware design and low computational complexity of the proposed algorithm.     

Analysis of an automotive ground system based on its steady-state model

As more electrical equipment is installed and larger currents are required in vehicles, the automotive ground system becomes more important to guarantee the stable operation of the equipment and efficient power consumption. In this paper, an automotive ground system is analyzed in a steady-state condition, and a simulation model for estimating its ground voltage distribution is described. The automotive ground system is divided into an engine compartment ground and a body ground, and it is modeled as an equivalent resistor network, which is suitable for simulation. By using the developed model, ground voltages are simulated and measurements are taken with a real car. A comparison of the simulation and measurement results shows good agreement, and the validity of the model is confirmed. Then, the factors that dominate the ground voltage level are discussed.     

Estimation of the adhesion force for a disc brake in a skid control condition

The performance of brakes has become important due to increased train speeds. The brake system of a train must possess a large brake force to stop the train safely within a limited stopping distance. However, an excessive brake force deteriorates the ride comfort and causes the train to skid. Therefore, it is necessary to control the brake force within the adhesion force limit. This paper presents an analytical method to estimate the relationship between the brake and adhesion forces of a disc brake system. This method has been applied to the actual disc braking control system of the Korea High-Speed Train (HSR350x), and the adhesion force is estimated in an actual skid condition.     

Model-based control of an electropneumatic brake system for commercial vehicles

A properly functioning brake system is critical for ensuring the safe operation of any vehicle on roadways. Commercial vehicles such as trucks, tractors-trailers and buses are equipped with an air brake system that uses compressed air as the energy transmitting medium. This paper presents a model-based control scheme for an electropneumatic brake system for use in commercial vehicles. A mathematical model for an electropneumatic brake system was developed and corroborated with experimental data. A control scheme was developed based on this model and was used to regulate the pressure of air inside the brake chamber according to a desired pressure trajectory. This control scheme was implemented on an experimental test bench, and its performance was studied for various values of the controller parameter. The control scheme was tested for various desired pressure trajectories reflecting actual brake operation.     

Digital human body model for seat comfort simulation

Using the recent anthropometry of the North American population, human body models were developed for seat comfort simulation. The external geometry of the models was acquired from the three-dimensional whole body laser scan of recruited volunteers in a driving position. The selection criteria for volunteers with standard size and shape were derived from a statistical factor analysis of the Size USA database. As a practical application of the model in a design process, comfortable driving postures were constructed by adopting the cascade prediction model (CPM), which takes into account both interior package layout and the driver’s anthropometry. The detail modeling process of finite element modeling and its validation results against volunteer measurements are introduced.     

桩底土与桩相互作用的模型试验研究

选用黄河砂子、南疆盐渍土作为桩底土进行桩土相互作用的模型试验,应用回传射线矩阵法对不同压实状态下桩底土的刚度系数和阻尼系数进行拟合,建立桩顶反射速度波幅与入射速度波幅比随时间、阻尼系数和刚度系数的变化关系式.试验结果表明:土越密实,桩底刚度系数就越大,实测桩顶速度波时程曲线就越往下倾斜;桩底土层的分层层数和分层厚度对反射波产生很大影响.     

Toward an SCA-OSGi based middleware for radio frequency identification applications

The radio frequency identification (RFID) technology progressing is becoming a increasing interest in several application areas. To accommodate diverse and changing requirements from applications,RFID middleware should be reconfigurable. However,current RFID middleware is limited in its ability to support reconfiguration. To solve this problem,we adopt the service-oriented component-based approach in building the middleware. Component-based design enables decomposition of middleware functionality and is eas...     

Design of an energy management strategy for parallel hybrid electric vehicles using a logic threshold and instantaneous optimization method

A novel parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) configuration consisting of an extra one-way clutch and an automatic mechanical transmission (AMT) is taken as the study subject of this paper. An energy management strategy (EMS) combining a logic threshold approach and an instantaneous optimization algorithm is developed for the investigated PHEV. The objective of this EMS is to achieve acceptable vehicle performance and drivability requirements while simultaneously maximizing engine fuel economy and maintaining the battery state of charge (SOC) in its rational operation range at all times. Under the MATLAB/Simulink environment, a computer simulation model of the studied PHEV is established using the bench test results. Simulation results for the behavior of the engine, motor, and battery illustrate the potential of the proposed control strategy in terms of fuel economy and in keeping the deviations of SOC at a low level.