Showing papers in "Vehicle System Dynamics in 2003"

Understanding and modeling the human driver.

Abstract: Summary This paper examines the role of the human driver as the primary control element within the traditional driver-vehicle system. Lateral and longitudinal control tasks such as path-following, obstacle avoidance, and headway control are examples of steering and braking activities performed by the human driver. Physical limitations as well as various attributes that make the human driver unique and help to characterize human control behavior are described. Example driver models containing such traits and that are commonly used to predict the performance of the combined driver-vehicle system in lateral and longitudinal control tasks are identified.

Dynamic friction models for road/tire longitudinal interaction

Abstract: In this paper we derive a new dynamic friction force model for the longitudinal road/tire interaction for wheeled ground vehicles. The model is based on a dynamic friction model developed previously for contact-point friction problems, called the LuGre model. By assuming a contact patch between the tire and the ground we develop a partial differential equation for the distribution of the friction force along the patch. An ordinary differential equation (the lumped model) for the friction force is developed, based on the patch boundary conditions and the normal force distribution along the contact patch. This lumped model is derived to approximate closely the distributed friction model. Contrary to common static friction/slip maps, it is shown that this new dynamic friction model is able to capture accurately the transient behaviour of the friction force observed during transitions between braking and acceleration. A velocity-dependent, steady-state expression of the friction force versus the slip coefficient is also developed that allows easy tuning of the model parameters by comparison with steady-state experimental data. Experimental results validate the accuracy of the new tire friction model in predicting the friction force during transient vehicle motion. It is expected that this new model will be very helpful for tire friction modeling as well as for anti-lock braking (ABS) and traction control design.

Skyhook and H8 Control of Semi-active Suspensions: Some Practical Aspects

Abstract: Summary This paper deals with single-wheel suspension car model. We aim to prove the benefits of controlled semi-active suspensions compared to passive ones. The contribution relies on H 8 control design to improve comfort and road holding of the car under industrial specifications, and on control validation through simulation on an exact nonlinear model of the suspension. Note that we define semi-active suspensions as control systems incorporating a parallel spring and an electronically controlled damper. However, the type of damper used in automotive industry can only dissipate energy. No additional force can be generated using external energy. The control issue is then to change, in an accurate way, the damping (friction) coefficient in real-time. This is what we call semi-active suspension. For this purpose, two control methodologies, H 8 and Skyhook control approaches, are developed, using a linear model of the suspension, and compared in terms of performances using industrial specifications. The per...

Train-Track Interaction and Mechanisms of Irregular Wear on Wheel and Rail Surfaces

Abstract: Summary High-frequency train-track interaction and mechanisms of wheel/rail wear that is non-uniform in magnitude around/along the running surface are surveyed. Causes, consequences and suggested remedies to relieve the problems are discussed for three types of irregular wheel/rail wear: (1) short-pitch rail corrugation on tangent tracks and large radius curves, (2) wheel corrugation as caused by tread braking, and (3) wheel polygonalisation. The state-of-the-art in modelling of dynamic train-track interaction in conjunction with prediction of irregular wear is reviewed.

Active roll control of single unit heavy road vehicles.

Abstract: Summary Strategies are investigated for controlling active anti-roll systems in single unit heavy road vehicles, so as to maximise roll stability. The achievable roll stability improvements that can be obtained by applying active anti-roll torques to truck suspensions are discussed. Active roll control strategies are developed, based on linear quadratic controllers. It is shown that an effective controller can be designed using the LQG approach, combined with the loop transfer recovery method to ensure adequate stability margins. A roll controller is designed for a torsionally flexible single unit vehicle, and the vehicle response to steady-state and transient cornering manoeuvres is simulated. It is concluded that roll stability can be improved by between 26% and 46% depending on the manoeuvre. Handling stability is also improved significantly.

Integrated control methodologies for road vehicles

Abstract: This paper considers the scope, methodologies and architectures for the design and development of interacting control systems in road vehicles. The increasing use of electronic controls leads inevitably to an increase in overall system complexity. Given the time and economic constraints of the modern automotive industry, it is not feasible to synthesise and validate the full set of vehicle controls in the form of a unified and centralized controller. On the other hand a fully decentralized approach to control system development and operation will induce performance limitations from un-modelled or unexpected interactions; at worst, such interactions can cause instability and loss of function. There is now increasing pressure to achieve control coordination whilst maintaining a modular approach to the overall system design. With this in mind, the paper provides a framework to review current practice in integrated vehicle control, assesses recent developments in control integration methodologies that are most relevant to the vehicle application, and formulates an enhanced multi-layer architecture that includes explicit coordination functionality. Overall emphasis is placed on the role of control system architecture, the resulting flow of control information and the implications for control system design. An example from handling dynamics is presented, demonstrating the viability of new and flexible approaches. In conclusion a number of outstanding research problems are highlighted.

Emergency Braking Control with an Observer-based Dynamic Tire/Road Friction Model and Wheel Angular Velocity Measurement

Abstract: Summary A control scheme for emergency braking of vehicles is designed. The tire/road friction is described by a LuGre dynamic friction model. The control system output is the pressure in the master cylinder of the brake system. The controller utilizes estimated states for a feedback control law that achieves a near maximum deceleration. The state observer is designed using linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques. The analysis shows that using the wheel angular speed information exclusively is not sufficient to rapidly estimate the velocity and relative velocity, due to the fact that the dynamical system is almost unobservable with this measurement as output. Findings are confirmed by simulation results that show that the estimated vehicle velocity and relative velocity converge slowly to their true values, even though the internal friction state and friction parameters converge quickly. The proposed control system has two main advantages when compared with an antilock braking system (ABS): (1) it produ...

The Use of GPS Based Velocity Measurements for Measurement of Sideslip and Wheel Slip

Abstract: Summary This paper details a novel method for measuring three key vehicle states – wheel slip, body sideslip angle, and tire sideslip angle – using GPS velocity information in conjunction with other sensors. Based on initial noise data obtained from the system components, a prediction of the accuracy of the angle measurements is obtained. These results demonstrate that the errors due to stochastic noise in the GPS signal are below one degree for meaningful vehicle speeds and approach a tenth of a degree at highway speeds. Hence the limiting factor for measuring these states is not the GPS receiver, but the manner in which other implementation issues – such as bias elimination, off-axis dynamics and dead-reckoning during loss of satellite visibility – are handled. Subsequent experiments validate both the error analysis and the methodology for obtaining the measurements. The experimental results for this preliminary implementation of GPS-based state estimation compare favorably to theoretical predictions, s...

Structured h2 optimization of vehicle suspensions based on multi-wheel models

Abstract: Summary Various control techniques, especially LQG optimal control, have been applied to the design of active and semi-active vehicle suspensions over the past several decades. However passive suspensions remain dominant in the automotive marketplace because they are simple, reliable, and inexpensive. The force generated by a passive suspension at a given wheel can depend only on the relative displacement and velocity at that wheel, and the suspension parameters for the left and right wheels are usually required to be equal. Therefore, a passive vehicle suspension can be viewed as a decentralized feedback controller with constraints to guarantee suspension symmetry. In this paper, we cast the optimization of passive vehicle suspensions as structure-constrained LQG/H2 optimal control problems. Correlated road random excitations are taken as the disturbance inputs; ride comfort, road handling, suspension travel, and vehicle-body attitude are included in the cost outputs. We derive a set of necessary conditi...

User-appropriate tyre-modelling for vehicle dynamics in standard and limit situations

Abstract: Summary When modelling vehicles for the vehicle dynamic simulation, special attention must be paid to the modelling of tyre-forces and -torques, according to their dominant influence on the results. This task is not only about sufficiently exact representation of the effective forces but also about user-friendly and practical relevant applicability, especially when the experimental tyre-input-data is incomplete or missing. This text firstly describes the basics of the vehicle dynamic tyre model, conceived to be a physically based, semi-empirical model for application in connection with multi-body-systems (MBS). On the basis of tyres for a passenger car and a heavy truck the simulated steady state tyre characteristics are shown together and compared with the underlying experimental values. In the following text the possibility to link the tyre model TMeasy to any MBS-program is described, as far as it supports the ‘Standard Tyre Interface’ (STI). As an example, the simulated and experimental data of a heav...

Recent Development in Active Steering of Railway Vehicles

Abstract: This paper presents the recent development on active steering for railway vehicles, and carries out a technical appraisal of different actuation schemes and control approaches. It brings together the latest research activities and findings for the full active steering techniques for rail vehicles with the solid-axle wheel sets, independently-rotating wheel sets and wheel-pairs without axles, but relevant work on passive and semi-active solutions is also briefly described. Potential benefits of the use of a combination of modem control technology and mechatronic approach are evaluated, and in particular solutions for the difficult design trade-off between the stability and the curving performance are presented. Various actuation configurations are discussed, and advantages and drawbacks of those schemes are investigated. The outline design using a number of control methods is analysed, and measurement requirement and state estimation techniques essential for implementation of the active steering schemes are also explored. In addition the issue of safety criticality is highlighted and a possible approach for developing fault-tolerant systems is proposed. Overall the paper provides an authoritative assessment of the major advances in actively-steered wheels and addresses outstanding critical issues. (A)

Design of robust controllers for active vehicle suspension using the mixed μ synthesis

Abstract: Summary The mixed µ synthesis for active suspension problems is proposed. Applying this method the real parametric uncertainties can be taken into consideration, which is more realistic than the traditional approaches, and the design process yields a less conservative compensator than other robust control design methods. The concept of the active suspension design using full-car models to handle the uncertain components is presented. The result of the mixed µ method is compared with the complex µ synthesis, and the passive system.

Skyhook and h(infinity) control of semi-active suspensions: some practical aspects

Abstract: This paper deals with single-wheel suspension car model. We aim to prove the benefits of controlled semi-active suspensions compared to passive ones. The contribution relies on H(infinity) control design to improve comfort and road holding of the car under industrial specifications, and on control validation through simulation on an exact nonlinear model of the suspension. Note that we define semi-active suspensions as control systems incorporating a parallel spring and an electronically controlled damper. However, the type of damper used in automotive industry can only dissipate energy. No additional force can be generated using external energy. The control issue is then to change, in an accurate way, the damping (friction) coefficient in real-time. This is what we call semi-active suspension. For this purpose, two control methodologies, H(infinity) and Skyhook control approaches, are developed, using a linear model of the suspension, and compared in terms of performances using industrial specifications. The performance analysis is done using the control-oriented linear model first, and then using an exact nonlinear model of the suspension incorporating the nonlinear characteristics of the suspension spring and damper. (A)

Nonlinear dynamics of vehicle traction

Abstract: SUMMARY The purpose of this study is to understand the nonlinear dynamics of longitudinal ground vehicle traction. Specically , single-wheel models of rubber-tired automobiles under straight-ahead braking and acceleration conditions are investigated in detail. Customarily, the forward vehicle speed and the rotational rate of the tire/wheel are taken as dynamic states. This paper motivates an alternative formulation in which wheel slip, a dimensionless measure of the difference between the vehicle speed and the circumferential speed of the tire relative to the wheel center, replaces the angular velocity of the tire/wheel as a dynamic state. This formulation offers new insight into the dynamic behavior of vehicle traction. The unique features of the modeling approach allow one to capture the full range of dynamic responses of the single-wheel traction models in a relatively simple geometric manner. The models developed here may also be useful for developing and implementing anti-lock brake and traction control control schemes.

Modeling to Predict Rollover Threat of Tractor-Semitrailers

Abstract: Summary A predictive model to determine a rollover threat index associated with tractor-semitrailers is proposed. The purpose of this model is to predict the rollover threat sufficiently in advance of the actual event so as to enable the driver to react accordingly. The predictive model is established using simple roll-plane models of the vehicle sprung and unsprung masses in conjunction with online vehicle parameter identification. Using this predictive model, the predicted Load Transfer Ratio (LTR) for the trailer axle can be determined as the rollover threat index. The proposed predictive model and the associated parameter-identification algorithm are verified using a 12-degree-of-freedom vehicle model. It is shown that the identified parameter values are close to the actual ones used in detailed simulation study. Similarly it is shown that the predicted values of the LTR are close to the simulated ones, and hence the proposed approach is potentially suitable as the basis for application in rollover th...

Dynamic properties of motorcycle and scooter tires: measurement and comparison

Abstract: Summary Results of an experimental research program dealing with motorcycle and scooter tires are presented. Experimental tests were carried out by means of a rotating disk test machine, which is particularly suited to test tires in the presence of large camber angles. First, the capabilities of the rotating disk machine are discussed and results are compared with the ones obtained by means of other test machines. Then the properties of several motorcycle and scooter tires are presented and compared. The advantage of presenting results in terms of camber and sideslip stiffness is highlighted. The effect of tire working conditions (inflation pressure, load and temperature) is analyzed. Finally the measurement of tire torques is discussed and some results dealing with self-aligning, twisting and rolling resistance torques are presented.

Simulation of Train Crashes in Three Dimensions

Abstract: Summary It is important to predict the crash behavior of trains to improve their crashworthiness This paper investigates the simulation of high-speed train crashes in three dimensions using multibody dynamics At present, little is known about three-dimensional crash simulations This study shows that it is possible to simulate overriding, derailment and lateral buckling, including results from one-dimensional or two-dimensional simulations Several factors, however, such as computational time and large deformation of structures, need further investigation

Virtual Development of Ride and Handling Characteristics for Advanced Passenger Cars

Abstract: Summary Advanced requirements for quality and functions, reduced development time, and increasing international competition motivate fundamental changes of the development processes. This puts much attention on the potentials of numerical simulation, i.e. experiments on the virtual product, while experiments on real prototypes will always remain an important part of the development process, for example to fulfill legal requirements, to achieve parameters for the simulation work, and to validate intermediate results and of course the final tuning. One step towards the virtual development of ride and handling characteristics of passenger cars is to achieve accuracy of simulation results which can be compared to what can be achieved with carefully selected experiments. This paper will present the state-of-the-art of current simulation technologies, their already available potentials and some remarks on current limitations. With this type of advanced simulation technologies, engineers are enabled to develop c...

Practical frequency and time optimal design of passive linear vibration isolation mounts

Abstract: In this paper we examine a linear one-degree of freedom vibration isolator mount. The linearity of the system allows us to analyze its frequency and time response characteristics analytically. Optimal damping and stiffness values for the isolator are obtained by minimizing certain cost functions, which are the Root Mean Square (RMS) of the absolute acceleration and the relative displacement. These RMS cost functions are used to create a design chart for the isolator parameters. This is very useful particularly in the presence of physical constraints such as a limit in relative displacement. The time response of the system for a unit step input is also considered to gain an insight into the transient characteristics of the system. We obtain an optimal value for the damping ratio of the system in order to minimize the transmitted acceleration. Combining the frequency and time response analyses leads to an optimal value for the mount natural frequency and damping ratio satisfying both time and frequency domains. The results are verified numerically using measured acceleration as input.

Vertical Vibration Analysis of Vehicle/Imperfect Track Systems

Abstract: Summary This paper studies the vertical vibration of a vehicle traveling on an imperfect track system. The car body and sleepers are modeled as Timoshenko beams with finite length, and the rail is assumed as an infinite Timoshenko beam with discrete supports. Imperfection of the track system comes from a sleeper lost partial support by the ballast. Since deflection of the rail is limited within a certain interval where the vehicle is passing over, the infinite domain problem can be transformed into a finite domain problem with moving boundary. In this work, the equations of motion of the car body, rail and sleepers are discretized first by the finite element method. The discretized equations of motion for the vehicle and track systems are then assembled, respectively. Finally, the Newmark method is applied to obtain the response of the vehicle and track systems at each time step. The effect of the vehicle speed on the response of the vehicle and track systems is investigated.

The Dynamics of a Railway Freight Wagon Wheelset With Dry Friction Damping

Abstract: We consider a simple model of a wheelset that supports one end of a railway freight wagon by springs with linear characteristics and dry friction dampers. We extend our earlier results to more realistic models, so in this presentation the linear kinematic contact relation in an earlier paper [True and Asmund, 2002] is replaced by the nonlinear rail/wheel contact geometry between a UIC60 rail and an S 1002 wheel profile. In addition we add a linear restoring force to control the yaw motion and finally add the axle side bearings to limit the maximum amplitude of the yaw oscillations. Stick-slip and hysteresis are included in our model of the dry friction.

Base dynamic parameter estimation of a macpherson suspension mechanism

Abstract: Summary A MacPherson suspension mechanism is modeled as a two degrees of freedom spatial mechanism. Its dynamic response under two excitement forces is simulated with the motion equations in Euler Parameters with the off-the-center-of-mass body-fixed coordinates derived in this paper. Simulation results are sampled and input into a numerical estimation routine based on singular value decomposition (SVD). Accurate numerical estimation results are achieved. A set of base dynamic parameters in symbolic expressions is also derived from the numerical results utilizing the concepts of mass transfer and moments of inertia transfer. This makes it possible to apply the estimation results to any MacPherson suspension mechanism with the same joint configuration. The potential applications of the symbolic base dynamic parameters in suspension design are also considered.

Experimental study of motorcycle transfer functions for evaluating handling

Abstract: Summary The transfer functions of a motorcycle, especially that between roll angle and steering torque, qualify input-output characteristics - that is, motion produced as a function of steering torque - and are closely related to ease of use and handling. This paper describes the measurement of the transfer functions of a typical sports motorcycle, resulting from data collected in slalom tests. These functions are then compared to analytical transfer functions derived from known models in the literature. The comparison shows fair to good agreement. Lastly, the formation of steering torque is analysed and the observed transfer functions are interpreted in this framework. It is shown that gyroscopic effects are mostly responsible for the lag between steering torque and roll angle, and that there is a velocity for which the various terms that combine to form steering torque cancel each other out, yielding a ‘maximum gain condition’ for torque to roll transfer function which drivers rated ‘good handling’.

Narx Neural Network Modelling of Hydraulic Suspension Dampers for Steady-State and Variable Temperature Operation

Abstract: Two NARX-type neural networks are developed for modelling nonlinear dynamic characteristics of passive twin-tube hydraulic dampers used in vehicle suspension systems. Quasi-isothermal and variable temperature NARX models are rigorously tested and compared with a state-of-the-art physical model proposed by Duym and Reybrouck (1998) and Duym (2000). Measured damper data, generated under isothermal and temperature varying conditions, is used for NARX training, physical model calibration, and predictive comparisons. Test kinematics include high amplitude sinusoidal displacements up to 14 Hz, and realistic random road profiles. The NARX models are trained via 'teacher forcing' and the feedforward backpropagation algorithm using both 'Early Stopping' and Bayesian Regularisation. Stable network design is also examined using the minimum posterior prediction error as the criterion for selecting a good network from a small number of tests. Calibration of the physical model proves highly complicated owing to considerable nonlinearity-in-the-parameters, requiring use of Sequential Quadratic Programming with an implicitly nonlinear constraint. The paper shows that NARX neural network modelling is vastly superior in terms of calibration efficiency, and prediction times, whilst offering roughly similar, if not better, model accuracy.

A Control Authority Transition System for Collision and Accident Avoidance

Abstract: Summary This paper addresses the problems ensuing with the human being who is controlling the technical system, especially problems related to his skill levels, driving habits, capabilities and decisions (especially when impaired by drugs, fatigue or physical handicaps). It may be possible to improve the ability of a driver to operate a vehicle safely if certain parameters in the control of the vehicle are adjusted according to the driver’s normal characteristics. Value has already been established for tailoring certain attributes such as seat, pedals, steering wheel position and mirrors to a given driver through memory functions. This research concentrates on assessing a driver’s operating characteristics and modifying the control to improve safe operation of the vehicle on a real-time basis.

Tire modeling for vertical properties including enveloping properties using experimental modal parameters

Abstract: Summary Tire modal parameters reflect the natural properties of the tire. This paper models tire performance using experimental tire modal parameters to calculate the static vertical tire stiffness on both drum and flat road surfaces and the distribution of vertical and shear forces. The model was used to investigate tire enveloping properties. In addition to the radial and tangential displacements, the rotational angular displacement of the contact element is considered. This study examined the obstacle’s effect on tire static vertical properties, the axle load responses under rectangle obstacles with a fixed axle height, and the effects of tire pressure on enveloping properties.

Tyre shear force and moment descriptions by normalisation of parameters and the Magic Formula

Abstract: Summary Previous work by Radt on the use of normalised parameters to bring economy to the task of measuring, describing and computing tyre shear forces and parallel works of Pacejka on the ‘similarity method’ are reviewed, extended and applied. Similarity ideas are used in association with the ‘Magic Formula’. Some published tyre force and moment results are divided into basic and nonbasic sets. The basic set contains a notional minimum amount of information from which the full spectrum of results can be obtained by applying similarity ideas. Calculations are carried out to show how the nonbasic results can be reconstructed from the basic set. Advantages are obtained by using a novel nonlinear transformation of the longitudinal and sideslip variables. The results are shown to be qualitatively excellent and quantitatively quite good. Of course, the accuracy is not as high as with a full Magic Formula treatment but the economy is remarkable. The process is captured in a MATLAB algorithm, included as an appe...

Active steering of a rail vehicle with two-axle bogies based on wheelset motion

Abstract: Summary This paper deals with a basic study on the actively steered rail vehicle with two-axle bogie trucks, which employs a control law based on the self-steering ability of wheelset. However, this control law not only helps the steering performance, but also tends to lower the running stability. Two methods are proposed to improve the stability. The first method is to add a feedback of wheelset lateral velocity, the second one is to give some time lag to the control force, and both are proved to be affective. Here, the latter is more practical method and the delay of control due to the time lag does not deteriorate the steering performance.

A versatile flat track tire testing machine.

Abstract: Summary A flat track tire testing machine developed by the IMMa group is described. It permits the simulation and study of the dynamic behavior of a great variety of tires under controllable and repetitive highly dynamic realistic working conditions in the laboratory for a diversity of vehicles, from motorcycles to light trucks. The machine incorporates: – a hydraulically operated tire support and loading system with wide operating ranges; – a computer controlled brake system to simulate braking maneuvers with ABS systems; – a complete sensorial system; – a data acquisition and control system continually monitoring and acting on the experimental variables, i.e., tire and belt speed, longitudinal slip, slip and camber angles, tire pressure, tire normal force, etc. As an application example, results are presented that adjust the parameter of the magic formula for a standard 175/70 R14 passenger vehicle tire. Accurate mathematical tire models are recognized as essential for the prediction of vehicle dynamic ...

Application of Sensitivity Analysis to the Development of High Performance Adaptive Hydraulic Engine Mounts

Abstract: Summary In this paper, the sensitivity analysis is applied to the development of high performance adaptive hydraulic mounts. The analysis allows us to select the most effective design parameters for tuning an adaptive mount to different road and engine conditions. It is shown that in the low frequency road excitation, the upper chamber compliance and inertia of the fluid column in the inertia track are the most influential properties in changing the dynamic stiffness of the hydraulic mount. These properties for the high frequency engine excitations are the upper compliance and the inertia of the fluid column of the decoupler. For tuning the adaptive mount to different road and engine excitation, a global optimization technique is used to find the magnitude of the adjusting parameters to minimize objective functions in low and high frequency excitations. The results indicate significant improvement over conventional hydraulic mounts. It is further shown that when the upper compliance is used as the adjusti...