Finite-element analysis of quasistatic fracture in CV joints under full-turn and full-throttle conditions

Quasistatic fractures at high joint angles constitute a chronic quality problem in CV joints. This type of fracture occurs when a driver unintentionally depresses the brake and accelerator simultaneously under a full-turn retreat condition. In general, the cage in a ball joint can be broken only at these high joint angles. Here we present a flexible quasistatic simulation model developed to simulate fracture in a CV joint. The cause and process of the quasistatic fracture were analyzed using simulations and physical tests. Static fracture simulations and tests at high joint angles showed that, initially, only one of the six cage posts was damaged. In a simulation of one revolution at constant torque, we found that an imbalance in ball loads generated an excessive cage load. Moreover, if this high cage load was applied when the cage protruded outward, the cage post was subjected to severe shear loading. The cage post was damaged in this specific rotational range. Quasistatic fracture simulations and tests at high joint angles showed that all six cage posts were damaged sequentially. Because entire cage posts were damaged, the quasistatic fracture torque was approximately half of the static torque. The plastic strain in each cage post displayed one step-like jump per revolution in the quasistatic simulations. The ball indentation created by a high ball load was interrupted by the cage-window edges as the ball joint rotated. This hindrance by ball indentation triggered the final breakage of the cage, although it was not the major cause of cage fractures.     

Development of a hardware in the loop simulation system for electric power steering in vehicles

In this paper, a hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) system was developed before the development of an electric power steering (EPS) system in a vehicle. This study was focused on the establishment of the HILS system. Driving conditions are simulated with the HILS system. The actual steering input parameters are confirmed on the monitor while driving the HILS system. The steering forces observed in the simulation with the developed HILS system are similar to those in real vehicle tests. The developed HILS system can be applied in the development of various types of EPS systems.     

Development of an electric booster system using sliding mode control for improved braking performance

Brake systems of the future, including BBW (Brake-by-Wire), are in development in various forms. In one of the proposed hydraulic BBW systems, an electric booster system replaces the pneumatic brake booster with an electric motor and a rotational-to-linear motion mechanism. This system is able to provide improved braking performance by the design of controllers with precise target pressure tracking and control robustness for better system reliability. First, a sliding mode controller is designed using the Lyapunov function approach to secure the robustness of the system against both the model uncertainty and the disturbance caused by the master cylinder and mechanical components. Next, a simulation tool is constructed to validate the electric booster system with the proposed controller. Finally, the electric booster system is implemented into an actual brake ECU and installed in a vehicle for testing under various braking conditions. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed controller produces faster pressure build-up performance than the conventional brake system, and its tracking performance is sufficient to ensure comfortable braking.     

Fuel economy evaluation of fuel cell hybrid vehicles based on optimal control

The fuel economy of a fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) depends on its power management strategy because the strategy determines the power split between the power sources. Several types of power management strategies have been developed to improve the fuel economy of FCHVs. This paper proposes an optimal control scheme based on the Minimum Principle. This optimal control provides the necessary optimality conditions that minimize the fuel consumption and optimize the power distribution between the fuel cell system (FCS) and the battery during driving. In this optimal control, the final battery state of charge (SOC) and the fuel consumption have an approximately proportional relationship. This relationship is expressed by a linear line, and this line is defined as the optimal line in this research. The optimal lines for different vehicle masses and different driving cycles are obtained and compared. This research presents a new method of fuel economy evaluation. The fuel economy of other power management strategies can be evaluated based on the optimal lines. A rule-based power management strategy is introduced, and its fuel economy is evaluated by the optimal line.     

Power Requirement of Active Vibration Control Systems

The paper deals with the theoretical estimation of the minimal power requirement, necessary for the operation of the active vibration control system (AVCS), connected with a passive one. It is assumed this compound system is used for the vibration control purposes in the heavy vehicle driver's seats. The systems considered in the paper are of two kinds. In the first case the electro-hydraulic actuator of the AVCS is situated in series to the spring-damper combination of the seat suspension. The second system under consideration is formed by parallel connection of electro-pneumatic actuator and the spring-damper combination of the seat suspension, which is a mechanical model of a real air spring with controlled in-flow and out-flow of the air. The comparison of results for both compound systems shows markedly higher power consumption of the serial system. The theoretical results are in acceptable agreement with the experimental data.     

An examination of the determinants of day-to-day variability in individuals' urban travel behavior

Day-to-day variability in individuals' travel behavior (intrapersonal variability) has been recognized in conceptual discussions, yet the analysis and modeling of urban travel are typically based on a single day record of each individual's travel. This paper develops and examines hypotheses regarding the determinants of intrapersonal variability in urban travel behavior.Two general hypotheses are formulated to describe the effects of motivations for travel and related behavior and of travel and related constraints on intrapersonal variability in weekday urban travel behavior. Specific hypotheses concerning the effect of various sociodemographic characteristics on intrapersonal variability are derived from these general hypotheses. These specific hypotheses are tested empirically in the context of daily trip frequency using a five-day record of travel in Reading, England.The empirical result support the two general hypotheses. First, individuals who have fewer economic and role-related constraints have higher levels of intrapersonal variability in their daily trip frequency. Second, individuals who fulfil personal and household needs that do not require daily participation in out-of-home activities have higher levels of intrapersonal variability in their daily trip frequency.     

Stabilization of Passenger Car-Caravan Combination Using Four Wheel Steering Control

This study aims to stabilize the trailer at high speed. The behavior of passenger cars with four wheel steering system, vehicles with rear wheel steering and of trailer and passenger car are similar. This is regarded as an optimal regulator problem with linear equation of motion, and a state variables feedback control system is adopted. The problem of stability at high speed on a straight course can be solved. Therefore, the passenger car-trailer system can be stabilized. Furthermore, this study indicates the way forward to stabilize a passenger car-trailer system.     

Delay processes at unsignalised junctions: The interrelation between geometric and queueing delay

The interrelation between geometric delay—the delay caused by the need for isolated vehicles to slow down to negotiate a junction—and the queueing delay due to vehicle-vehicle interactions is considered. The delay elements present in measurements of geometric delay are identified, and some overlap is seen with those normally included in the service mechanisms in queueing models. The total delay per vehicle is not, therefore, the sum of the measured geometric delay and the queueing delay. Although the geometric delay can be redefined so as to eliminate the overlap, it is not then measurable. A framework is developed in which the relationships between the “pure” and measured geometric delay and the queueing delay are expressed for the population mean values. Approximate expressions are developed for the elements of delay. The framework is extended to allow queueing delays to be represented by time-dependent functions allowing approximately for non-randomness in arrival and departure patterns and service time differences between queueing and non-queueing vehicles. Numerically, geometric delay elements constitute a significant proportion of total delay except at traffic intensities approaching unity. In this region time-dependent effects dominate the queueing process.     

Experimental investigation and comparison of nanoparticle emission characteristics in light-duty vehicles for two different fuels

In recent years, particle number emissions rather than particulate mass emissions in automotive engines have become the subject with controversial discussions. Recent results from studies of health effects imply that it is possible that particulate mass does not properly correlate with the variety of health effects attributed to engine exhaust. The concern is now focusing on nano-sized particles emitted from I. C. engines. In this study, particulate mass and particle number concentration emitted from light-duty vehicles were investigated for a better understanding of the characteristics of the engine PM from different types of fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Engine nano-particle mass and size distributions of four test vehicles were measured by a condensation particle counter system, which is recommended by the particle measurement program in Europe (PMP), at the end of a dilution tunnel along a NEDC test mode on a chassis dynamometer. We found that particle number concentrations of diesel passenger vehicles with DPF system are lower than gasoline passenger vehicles, but PM mass has some similar values. However, in diesel vehicles with DPF system, PM mass and particle number concentrations were greatly influenced by PM regeneration. Particle emissions in light-duty vehicles emitted about 90% at the ECE15 cycle in NEDC test mode, regardless of vehicle fuel type. Particle emissions at the early cold condition of engine were highly emitted in the test mode.