Rule-based control of a semi-active suspension for minimal sprung mass acceleration: design and measurement

In this paper, a rule-based controller is developed for the control of a semi-active suspension to achieve minimal vertical acceleration. The rules are derived from the results obtained with a model predictive controller. It is shown that a rule-based controller can be derived that mimics the results of the model predictive controller and minimises vertical acceleration. Besides this, measurements on a test vehicle show that the developed rule-based controller achieves a real-world reduction of the vertical acceleration, which is in agreement with the simulations.     

不同加载幅值下考虑层间界面条件和侧向剪力作用的柔性铺面响应

该文进行了一个三维有限元参数量化的粘弹性路面响应研究,由于不同的轮胎配置:双轮和宽基轮胎在3种温度(5、25和40℃)和两种速度(8、72 km/h);还有影响路面响应的3种因素:移动车轮荷载幅值(连续,梯形),层间界面条件(简单的摩擦和粘弹性模型)和横向力共同对路面响应的影响进行了研究.研究发现连续加载幅值,不但可以模拟路面对运动轮荷载的响应,并且是一种比目前使用的梯形荷载幅值更准确的研究模型.粘弹性模型极大地提高了双轮胎对预测路面的响应,而简单的摩擦模型更接近宽基轮胎的实地测量.侧向剪力是积极改善预测轮底的表面磨损和底部热拌沥青(沥青)基层的较小程度上的应变.研究表明:使用连续加载幅值和非均匀压力分布模拟移动轮,侧向剪切力和适当的界面摩擦可显著改善有限元模型对车辆加载路面响应的预测能力.     

Experimental study on the impact characteristics of a sandwich composite with an aluminum foam core

The need for composites has been increasing in various industries because composites have good mechanical properties for their weight and superior stiffness and strength. The composites addressed in this study were multi-pore aluminum foam with a specific gravity of 1/10 composed of solid aluminum metal. This composite has excellent impact energy-absorption capability. In this study, impact tests on an aluminum foam core sandwich composite with a porous core were conducted to examine its mechanical properties. The specimen was a sandwich structure with an aluminum foam core, and different impact energies, such as 50J, 70J, and 100J, were applied to the specimen. Consequently, a maximum load of 5.5 kN occurred when the striker penetrated the upper face sheet in all experiments. The maximum load occurred at 4.2 ms for 50J, 3.5 ms for 70J, and 3.0 ms for 100J, indicating that the greater the impact energy was, the shorter the time was until the maximum load. After the maximum load occurred, that is, after the penetration of the upper face sheet, the striker penetrated 10 mm further, causing the core to be damaged in the 50J test, while the lower face sheet remained intact. In the 70J test, the striker penetrated the core and caused damage to the upper face sheet at 10 ms. Finally, in the 100J test, the striker penetrated both the upper face sheet and core and even the lower face sheet at 10 ms. Given the result above, the maximum load occurred when the striker penetrated the upper face sheet and the sandwich composite with aluminum foam core; the load then gradually decreased and then rapidly increased when the striker reached the lower face sheet, and the maximum load lasted slightly longer than the time required for the upper face sheet to be penetrated.     

怎样卖掉你的车

在汽车消费发达的国家，二手车消费是整个汽车消费的重要组成部分。甚至可以说，科学、合理、完善的二手车消费体制带动了整个汽车消费的发展。在今天的中国，汽车越来越多地进入了家庭，准备置换手中旧车的人也越来越多，所以《爱车》特别邀请美国二手车销售专家M.Brueggemann先生为中国的车主朋友奉献一篇精彩的文章，虽然本文充满美国社会的气息，很多技巧不能直接套用，但是先进的经验是绝对值得借鉴的。[编者按]     

Dual extended Kalman filter for vehicle state and parameter estimation

The article demonstrates the implementation of a model-based vehicle estimator, which can be used for combined estimation of vehicle states and parameters. The estimator is realised using the dual extended Kalman filter (DEKF) technique, which makes use of two Kalman filters running in parallel, thus 'splitting' the state and parameter estimation problems. Note that the two problems cannot be entirely separated due to their inherent interdependencies. This technique provides several advantages, such as the possibility to switch off the parameter estimator, once a sufficiently good set of estimates has been obtained. The estimator is based on a four-wheel vehicle model with four degrees of freedom, which accommodates the dominant modes only, and is designed to make use of several interchangeable tyre models. The paper demonstrates the appropriateness of the DEKF. Results to date indicate that this is an effective approach, which is considered to be of potential benefit to the automotive industry.     

Modelling of wheels and rail discontinuities in dynamic wheel-rail contact analysis

A classification of wheel-rail contact is given. Difference is made between modelling of a running wheel with continuous single-point-contact, as is common practice in wheel-rail contact analysis, and a wheel with transient double- or multi-point-contact, which may occur for rail irregularities with curvatures larger than that of the wheel circumference. It is shown that application of the first model for these irregularities will strongly underestimate the contact forces as it does not describe occurring mechanisms correctly. Further, it is shown that in principle it is not possible to describe the second type of contact fully correct with a lumped wheel model. Both wheel models are formulated mathematically for some basic contact cases. Afterwards, results are applied to a linear track model. Analytical closed-form solutions are found in the frequency domain for arbitrary type of contact and numerically transformed to the time domain. Finally, the necessity is shown to avoid situations where transient multiple-point-contact may occur (like rail joints) in practice.     

Global supply chain and port/terminal: integration and competitiveness

Much has been said of the importance of port and terminal integration in the supply chain. Authors have stressed the importance of agility to the port environment, which involves being proactive along supply chains, facilitation of intermodal integration, as well as organizational integration and partnership between ports and users. Despite the well articulated importance of the issues, little has been offered in terms of conceptualizations and empirical evidence of what really is meant by port/terminal integration in the supply chain, how such integration can be measured and quantified as well as the extent to which different ports/terminals in the world are integrated in the supply chain and competitive performance implications arising thereof. This paper aims to make a contribution in this respect by (i) reviewing the relevant literature on supply chain integration and port integration in the supply chain, (ii) conceptualizing measures for port/terminal integration in the supply chain, (iii) empirically testing the influence of port/terminal integration in the supply chain on port competitiveness and (iv) outlining the significance and value of the study for port operators, shipping lines, transport providers and for further research.     

Improving pollutant emissions in diesel engines for heavy-duty transportation using retarded intake valve closing strategies

A combined theoretical and experimental study has been carried out to determine the real potential of reducing pollutant emissions in a HD diesel engine by means of retarding the intake valve closing. The effects produced by this alteration of the basic operation cycle have been examined by a preliminary modelling study, and from the obtained results, a modified camshaft was manufactured with a delayed intake valve closing of 60 crank angle degrees. Single-cylinder engine tests were carried out with this modified camshaft, and the emissions and fuel consumption were recorded. The results showed that the retarded intake valve closing can enhance the premixed combustion phase, and thus simultaneously reduce soot and NOx emissions. Moreover, the combustion process attained is extremely tolerant to exhaust gas recirculation, and by adoption of this measure, Euro-5 emissions limits can be achieved at the tested conditions without after-treatment.     

Full vehicle simulation using thermomechanically coupled hybrid neural network shock absorber model

In the case of full vehicle models, the technique of multi-body simulation (MBS) is frequently used to study their highly non-linear dynamic behaviour. Many non-linearities in vehicle models are induced by force elements like springs, shock absorbers, bushings and tires. Commonly, spline functions are used to represent the force responses of these components. If the non-linear relationships are more complicated, the spline approximations are no more accurate. An alternative approach is based on empirical neural networks which are based on the mathematical approximation of measured data. It is well known that neural networks are able to represent and predict complex component responses accurately. The aim of this paper is to perform a dynamic full vehicle simulation using a thermomechanically coupled hybrid neural network shock absorber model. In this shock absorber model, the spline approach is combined with a temperature-dependent neural network. Based on a displacement-controlled excitation on a four post test rig in the ADAMS/Car MBS software, a rugged test track is simulated. In this way, the front and rear shock absorbers are dynamically loaded with comfort-relevant frequencies in the range of 0.75-30 Hz and velocity amplitudes up to 2 m/s. By the simulation, stability of the hybrid neural network model is demonstrated. Furthermore, the damping force, the vertical acceleration of the chassis and the required simulation times are compared. The standard spline approach is used as a reference.