David M. Sidlosky

INTEGRATED CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM TO ENHANCE VEHICLE STABILITY.

Vehicle stability enhancement system, by controlling vehicle dynamics, is the latest active safety technology introduced since Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS). This system provides the driver with enhanced vehicle stability and handling. It is the intent of this paper to provide an understanding of the fundamentals of control of vehicle stability. The paper describes a complete stability control algorithm. Starting with a model for the vehicle yaw-plane dynamics, we derive a desired vehicle response, using both time-domain and frequency-domain approaches. Control structures include both yaw rate feedback design, and full-state feedback design. The latter approach requires the estimation of vehicle side-slip velocity. Estimations based on integration of lateral acceleration, the use of algebraic equation using vehicle kinematics, and the use of a Luenberger observer are presented. Computation of the required wheel differential velocity to achieve control objectives is described. Finally, computer simulation is used to investigate and confirm the concepts being discussed.

Enhanced traction stability control system

This paper is directed to an Enhanced Traction Stability Control System (ETSC) that is based on the estimate of vehicle yaw rate and does not require yaw rate or lateral accelerometer sensors information. The validity of the yaw rate estimate is determined and used to select the appropriate control methodology. We estimate the vehicle yaw rate based on the measured speeds of the un-driven wheels of the vehicle, and we utilize various other conditions to determine if the estimated yaw rate is valid for control purposes. When it is determined that the yaw rate is valid, a combined closed-loop yaw rate feedback, and an open-loop feed-forward derivative control based on the driver input is employed. Whereas in conditions under which it is determined that the estimated yaw rate is not valid, an open-loop feed-forward control with a proportional, derivative and a diminishing integrator terms, is employed. In addition, we develop a bank angle compensation algorithm using the steering angle, vehicle speed, and the estimated yaw rate to compensate for the effect of banked road. Test results indicate marked enhancement of vehicle stability with ETSC when compared with ABS and TCS. Finally, we present test results to compare the performance of ETSC system to yaw rate feedback control only Electronic Stability Control System (ESC) using yaw rate and lateral accelerometer sensors information.