Pavel Steinbauer

Semi-active dampling in automotive systems: design-by-simulation

The article describes the design and implementation of semi-active suspensions for trucks. The main objective of semi-active suspension design is decreasing road damage. The feedback laws for the semi-active dampers are designed by simulation and parameter optimisation. The performance predicted by the simulation experiments is verified for two real vehicles - a platform truck and tractor semi-trailer combination. The simulation experiments as well as the field measurements indicate the semi-active damping as a concept for producing more road friendly heavy-duty vehicles.

Influence of deteriorated suspension components on ABS braking

Vehicle ride control depends not only on vehicle design, but also on the condition of the vehicle components, and on suspension components in particular. Moreover, vehicles currently in use are equipped with many kinds of electronic devices that assist drivers in their daily and emergency situations. These devices focus on active safety, which increases vehicle-handling capabilities, e.g. by a targeted intervention of the brakes on the individual wheels. These systems require correctly functioning wheel suspension, which is not guaranteed by used vehicles, as worn dampers have fewer damping capabilities and worn bushings result in improper wheel alignment. This paper presents a simulation study of the influence of worn suspension components such as dampers and bushings on the braking capabilities of vehicles. The stopping distance of vehicles as well as lateral shift is compared for different levels of worn and defective suspension components.

KNOWLEDGE SUPPORT FOR VIRTUAL MODELLING AND SIMULATION

The paper describes an approach to providing knowledge support for virtual modelling and simulation (VMS). The design methodology, based on multidisciplinary virtual modelling and subsequent simulation, is essential for contemporary engineering design [1], but specifically for the design of complex mechatronic machines [3]. Additionally, current engineering design is multidisciplinary and therefore based on team work. The teams are often geographically distributed and would benefit from greater support for collaboration. Engineering design also draws heavily on previous experience and therefore it is essentially to build and maintain comprehensible and re-usable archives of previous cases. This is also true of simulation models.

Fuzzy optimal control of mechanical systems

This paper describes unique method offuzzy controllers design, which overcomes the existing problems of design subjectiveness. Algorithm, applications and results are described.

E-vehicle Predictive Control for Range Extension

The range is currently one of main drawbacks of e-mobility, as energy storage capacity is limited. On the other hand, various information and computational resources in the cloud can be used. The control scheme uses model based predictive controllers with hierarchy of prediction horizons with various lengths. A detailed range estimation model of a Doblo e-vehicle is basis with the main subsystems: vehicle 1D model, e-motor, battery pack, air-conditioning/heating and EVCU. Due to the system substantial nonlinearity, a broad grid of linearized model is selected to rebuild a piecewise linear model. Trajectory velocity profile, designed by cloud control layer serves as input. Resulting controllers are merged using gain scheduling approach.

Aspects for Velocity Profile Optimization for Fleet Operated Vehicles

The cloud connecting individual commercial vehicles in the fleet provides both information resources and computational power to find optimal path for given route. As the fleet operation is usually based on repeated routes, the pre-optimized paths can be downloaded into vehicle on-board computer. This information is presented to the driver so he can maintain the optimized velocity course which saves the energy and thus extends the range.

Innovative car back door actuator

Regular back door actuators in vehicles are currently quite fragile devices. Cruel handling by drivers causes frequent damage of both electronic and mechanical parts. The movement of the actuator is also associated with the possibility of injury. The paper presents use of mechatronic and inventive design methods for development of novel robust solution, which however still fits into current vehicle design and ensures safe operation.

E-vehicle energy consumption optimization based on fleet and infrastructure information

Nowadays vehicles, especially the electric ones, are complex mechatronic devices. The pickup vehicles of small sizes are currently used in transport considerably. They often operate within a repeating scheme of a limited variety of tracks and bigger fleets. Thanks to mechatronic design of the vehicles and their components, there are many means of optimizing their performance. The paper shows an approach developed to increase the range of e-vehicle operation substantially. It is based on prior information about the route profile, traffic density, road conditions, past behaviour, mathematical models of the route and vehicle and dynamic optimization. The a-priori knowledge is taken into account.

Knowledge Support of Simulation Model Reuse

This describes the knowledge support for engineering design based on virtual modelling and simulation. These are the results of the EC Clockwork project. A typical and important step in the development of a simulation model is the phase of reusing. Virtual modelling and simulation often use the components of previous models. The usual problem is that the only remaining part of the previous simulation models is the model itself. However, a large amount of knowledge and intermediate models have been used, developed and then lost. A special methodology and special tools have therefore been developed on support of storing, retrieving and reusing the knowledge from previous simulation models. The knowledge support includes informal knowledge, formal knowledge and intermediate engineering models. This paper describes the overall methodology and tools, using the example of developing a simulation model of Trijoint, a new machine tool.