Active lateral secondary suspension with H ∞ control to improve ride comfort: simulations on a full-scale model

In this study, a full-scale rail vehicle model is used to investigate how lateral ride comfort is influenced by implementing the H _∞ and sky-hook damping control strategies. Simulations show that significant ride comfort improvements can be achieved on straight track with both control strategies compared with a passive system. In curves, it is beneficial to add a carbody centring Hold-Off Device (HOD) to reduce large spring deflections and hence to minimise the risk of bumpstop contact. In curve transitions, the relative lateral displacement between carbody and bogie is reduced by the concept of H _∞ control in combination with the HOD. However, the corresponding concept with sky-hook damping degrades the effect of the carbody centring function. Moreover, it is shown that lateral and yaw mode separation is a way to further improve the performance of the studied control strategies.     

Comparing rear wheel steering and rear active differential approaches to vehicle yaw control

A comparison between two different approaches to vehicle stability control is carried out, employing a robust non-parametric technique in the controller design. In particular, an enhanced internal model control strategy, together with a feedforward action and a suitably generated reference map, is employed for the control of a vehicle equipped either with a rear wheel steering (RWS) system or with a rear active differential (RAD) device. The uncertainty arising from the wide range of operating conditions is described by an additive model set employed in the controller design. Extensive steady state and transient tests simulated with an accurate 14 degrees of freedom nonlinear model of the considered vehicle show that both systems are able to improve handling and safety in normal driving conditions. RAD devices can make the vehicle reach higher lateral acceleration values but they achieve only slight stability improvements against oversteer. On the other hand, 4WS systems can greatly improve both vehicle safety and manoeuvrability in all driving situations, making this device an interesting and powerful stability system.     

Development of a bushing with an active compliance chamber for variable displacement engines

In this paper a novel active compliance chamber is designed, which can be used to control the dynamic stiffness of a common hydraulic bushing. This chamber offers a simple and cost-effective solution for the variable displacement engine (VDE) isolation problem. A VDE system requires a soft bushing for the half cylinder mode and a regular one for normal engine operations. A magnetic actuator is used to produce mechanical pulses. The linearisation technique is used for simplifying the nonlinear equation of motion. Different current sources are used to feed the magnetic actuator. The pressure inside the chamber follows linearly the current input signal. The phase shift in various current inputs is used in the form of the transfer functions to create the required pressure response pattern in the frequency domain. Since the dynamic stiffness of a conventional hydraulic bushing is a direct function of the pressure inside it, the active compliance chamber can be used to alter the pressure and consequently produce the required dynamic stiffness response. As a result, it can address the engine vibration problem for VDE situation.     

Utilisation of optimisation solutions to control active suspension for decreased braking distance

This work deals with how to utilise active suspension on individual vehicle wheels in order to improve the vehicle performance during straight-line braking. Through numerical optimisation, solutions have been found as regards how active suspension should be controlled and coordinated with friction brakes to shorten the braking distance. The results show that, for the studied vehicle, the braking distance can be shortened by more than 1?m when braking from 100?km/h. The applicability of these results is studied by investigating the approach for different vehicle speeds and actuator stroke limitations. It is shown that substantial improvements in the braking distance can also be found for lower velocities, and that the actuator strokes are an important parameter. To investigate the potential of implementing these findings in a real vehicle, a validated detailed vehicle model equipped with active struts is analysed. Simplified control laws, appropriate for on-board implementation and based on knowledge of the optimised solution, are proposed and evaluated. The results show that substantial improvements of the braking ability, and thus safety, can be made using this simplified approach. Particle model simulations have been made to explain the underlying physical mechanisms and limitations of the approach. These results provide valuable guidance on how active suspension can be used to achieve significant improvements in vehicle performance with reasonable complexity and energy consumption.     

Handling and safety enhancement of race cars using active aerodynamic systems

A methodology is presented in this work that employs the active inverted wings to enhance the road holding by increasing the downward force on the tyres. In the proposed active system, the angles of attack of the vehicle's wings are adjusted by using a real-time controller to increase the road holding and hence improve the vehicle handling. The handling of the race car and safety of the driver are two important concerns in the design of race cars. The handling of a vehicle depends on the dynamic capabilities of the vehicle and also the pneumatic tyres’ limitations. The vehicle side-slip angle, as a measure of the vehicle dynamic safety, should be narrowed into an acceptable range. This paper demonstrates that active inverted wings can provide noteworthy dynamic capabilities and enhance the safety features of race cars. Detailed analytical study and formulations of the race car nonlinear model with the airfoils are presented. Computer simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed active aerodynamic system.     

Hydraulic actuation technology for full- and semi-active railway suspensions

The paper describes a simulation study that provides a comprehensive comparison between full-active and semi-active suspensions for improving the vertical ride quality of railway vehicles. It includes an assessment of the ride quality benefits that can theoretically be achieved with idealised devices, and also examines the impact of real devices based upon hydraulic actuation technology.     

主动式发动机罩关键问题探讨和AHLS的概念设计

行人保护的重点是在行人交通事故中避免最可能致行人死亡的头部损伤,因此主动式发动机罩的研究和应用将成为行人保护的重要手段之一.文中分析了主动式发动机罩的关键问题,并提出一种新型的前后同步升起的主动式发动机罩举升系统的概念设计,为主动式罩的设计提供借鉴.     

商用汽车辅助制动技术综述

在商用汽车频繁制动或长时间持续制动时, 为了提高主制动器使用寿命和制动效能, 分析了辅助制动装置的结构与工作原理, 介绍了适用于柴油发动机车辆的发动机制动与排气制动技术和适用于一般商用车辆的辅助制动技术——电涡流缓速器、永久磁铁式缓速器与液力缓速器, 研究了提高制动力矩、改善散热效能、减小拖滞力矩及优化整车匹配等有关辅助制动装置关键技术, 提出了缓速器的最大制动力矩、平均制动力矩及抗热衰退系数等效能评价指标。指出了自励式缓速器、集成式缓速器和缓速器与主制动器联合控制等是商用汽车辅助制动技术的发展方向, 从政策制定和知识产权保护方面能有力推动中国辅助制动技术的发展。     

并联离线再生式颗粒捕捉器的试验研究

介绍一种并联式颗粒捕捉器及其试验情况.这种颗粒捕捉器采用2个壁流式金属烧结毡过滤器芯,2个滤芯并联安装,交替工作和再生.再生策略采用工况背压作为再生开始的条件,电加热引燃,采用控制再生空气流量的办法控制再生速度和再生温度.试验和实车运行证明该颗粒捕捉器新鲜状态时过滤效率63%,使用后期过滤效率81%,对实际运行油耗的影响在3%以内,可进行自动再生,满足车载使用要求.该过滤器可用于车辆的黑烟治理和采用EGR技术的欧IV发动机.