Fuzzy-hybrid modelling of an Ackerman steered electric vehicle

Physical system modelling with known parameters together with 2-D or high order look-up tables (obtained from experimental data), have been the preferred method for simulating electric vehicles. The non-linear phenomena which are present at the vehicle tyre patch and ground interface have resulted in a quantitative understanding of this phenomena. However, nowadays, there is a requirement for a deeper understanding of the vehicle sub-models which previously used look-up tables. In this paper the hybrid modelling methodology used for electric vehicle systems offers a two-stage advantage: firstly, the vehicle model retains a comprehensive analytical formulation and secondly, the ‘fuzzy’ element offers, in addition to the quantitative results, a qualitative understanding of specific vehicle sub-models. In the literature several hybrid topologies are reported, sequential, auxiliary, and embedded.In this paper, the hybrid model topology selected is auxiliary and within the same hybrid model, the first paradigm used is the vehicle dynamics together with the actuator/gearbox system. The second paradigm is the non-linear fuzzy tyre model for each wheel. In particular, conventional physical system dynamic modelling has been combined with the fuzzy logic type-II or type-III methodology. The resulting hybrid-fuzzy tyre models were estimated for a-priori number of rules from experimental data. The physical system modelling required the available vehicle parameters such as the overall mass, wheel radius and chassis dimensions. The suggested synergetic fusion of the two methods, (hybrid-fuzzy), allowed the vehicle planar trajectories to be obtained prior to the hardware development of the entire vehicle. The strength of this methodology is that it requires localised system experimental data rather than global system data. The disadvantage in obtaining global experimental data is the requirement for comprehensive testing of a vehicle prototype which is both time consuming process and requires extensive resources. In this paper the authors have proposed the use of existing experimental rigs which are available from the leading automotive manufacturers. Hence, for the ‘hybrid’ modelling, localised data sets were used. In particular, wheel-tyre experimental data were obtained from the University tyre rig experimental facilities. Tyre forces acting on the tyre patch are mainly responsible for the overall electric vehicle motion. In addition, tyre measurement rigs are a well known method for obtaining localised data thus allowing the effective simulation of more detailed mathematical models. These include, firstly, physical system modelling (conventional vehicle dynamics), secondly, fuzzy type II or III modelling (for the tyre characteristics), and thirdly, electric drive modelling within the context of electric vehicles. The proposed hybrid model synthesis has resulted in simulation results which are similar to piece-wise ‘look-up’ table solutions. In addition, the strength of the ‘hybrid’ synthesis is that the analyst has a set of rules which clearly show the reasoning behind the complex development of the vehicle tyre forces. This is due to the inherent transparency of the type II and type III methodologies. Finally, the authors discussed the reasons for selecting a type-III framework. The paper concludes with a plethora of simulation results.     

The attainability domain of a coasting vehicle

In this paper, the attainability domain of a coasting vehicle in horizontal flight is determined. The coasting vehicle is assumed to control perfectly the angle of attack, assumed unlimited. The aerodynamic forces acting on the vehicle are explicitly modelled as nonlinear functions of the angle of attack.     

The rolling of a wheel with a pneumatic tyre on a planet

A model of a pneumatic tyre as a system with an infinite number of degrees of freedom is proposed, when its surface is represented by the deformed surface of a torus. Using a number of hypotheses a functional of the potential energy of the deformations of the tyre is obtained as a function of the deformations of its tread. A complete system of equations of motion is obtained, assuming that the wheel rolls without slipping in the area of contact of the tread with the plane, with respect to the previously unknown part of the tread. In two special cases of the rolling of a wheel with breakaway and on a banking, all the characteristics of the motion (the contact area, the tyre deformation, and the forces and moments applied to the disc of the wheel) are obtained.     

崎岖地形环境中月球车的动力学建模与仿真

以六轮摇臂-转向架关节式月球车为研究对象,根据其机械原理和结构特点,并参考车辆动力学理论,分析其在崎岖地形中的受力情况,利用Kane方法建立了理想状态下的非线性动力学模型,并基于此模型对月球车进行速度跟踪控制仿真,证实了模型和控制方案的可行性,为设计轨迹跟踪和避障控制器提供依据.     

Stability of steady motions of a mobile robot with roller-carrying wheels and a displaced centre of mass

The motion of a mobile three-wheel robotic vehicle on a horizontal surface is investigated. Passive rollers are fastened along the rim of each wheel, enabling each wheel not only to roll in the usual manner, but also to move perpendicular to its plane. Each of these wheels, as well as the ordinary wheels, is equipped with one drive, which rotates the wheel about its axis. The vehicle equipped with roller-carrying wheels can move in any direction with any orientation. The motion of the robot on a horizontal surface is studied in the case where the centre of mass of the robot deviates from the geometric centre of the triangular platform, and there is no slip at the points of contact of the rollers with the supporting surface. In the case of free motion of the robot, an additional first integral is pointed out and the exact solution found is analysed. An equation for specifying steady motions, under which a constant voltage is supplied to the DC motors that drive the wheels, is constructed. The stability of the rectilinear motion of the robot is investigated.     

Mathematical models for motion of the rear ends of vehicles

A new treatment of the path of the rear wheels of single and multiple axle vehicles produces simple first order differential equations for the motion of the rear wheels relative to the front wheels. We show for the first time, under the assumption of no slipping, that the path of the rear wheels depends only on the path of the front wheels and not on the vehicle speed. We examine motion along straight, circular and winding roads, giving closed form solutions in the first two cases. We also provide a straightforward algorithm for computing vehicle offtracking for any road geometry. We believe these results will be of significant benefit to road designers.     

Stability and vibrations of an all-terrain vehicle subjected to nonlinear structural deformation and resistance

This study intends to investigate the dynamic behaviour of an all-terrain vehicle travelling on rough terrains. A nonlinear analytical model is established for quantifying the response of the vehicle with spring and damping nonlinearities to various operation and terrain conditions. Focus of the study is on the motion characteristics of the vehicle operating on rough terrains. Stability analyses are performed for the all-terrain vehicles under the operation of surmounting large obstacles and the operation of the vehicle on rough terrain surfaces. Stability conditions are provided and stable and unstable region diagrams are plotted and analyzed with the analytical model developed. Analytical solutions are provided for weakly nonlinear dynamic systems. Numerical simulations for the motion of the all-terrain vehicle are also presented.     

Vibrational resonances of nonrigid vehicles: Polygonization and ripple patterns

The well-known phenomenon of ripples on roads has its modern counterpart in ripple patterns on railroads and polygonization of wheels on state-of-the-art lightrail streetcars. Here we study an idealized mechanical suspension model for the vibrational frequency response of a buggy with a nonrigid body (typically, an aluminium chassis and coach). The finite flexural rigidity of the body is an important novel feature. Since the essential physics is described by only one extra material parameter (viz. the stiffness coefficient), the model retains its basic simplicity and can still be analysed exactly. The dynamics (i.e., the Lagrangian equations of motion) are solved in the frequency domain. The motion on a distorted surface is treated as a nonholonomic constraint. Thus we analytically calculate spectra, e.g., the wheel spectrum. This reveals a new, significant wheel resonance (typically near 30–35 Hz), which is confirmed by means of a novel analysis of the wheel’s lift force (taking care of traction forces). At moderate city speeds this resonance agrees with recently observed characteristic ripple patterns on lightrail tracks, with wavelengths of approximately 10–20 cm (amplitudes of the order of a millimeter), and correspondingly polygonized wheels.     

The rolling of a wheel with a reinforced tyre along a plane without slip

A model of a wheel with a reinforced tyre, whose surface is simulated by a flexible strip (tread) attached to parts of two tori (the sidewalls of the tyre) is considered. The disk of the wheel (a rigid body) has six degrees of freedom and is in contact with the plane along part of the tread. Based on several assumptions, the potential energy functional of the deformed wheel is found as a function of the deformations of the centre line of the tread. On the assumption that the wheel is rolling without slip in the region of contact of the tread with the plane along a previously unknown section of the tread, the complete system of equations of motion is obtained. The equilibrium of the wheel and the steady state of rolling in a straight line with given swivel and tilt are investigated, and all characteristics of the motion are found (the contact region, the tyre deformation, and the forces and torques applied to the wheel disk).     

On the influence of gyroscopic forces on the stability of steady-state motion : PMM vol. 39, n 6, 1975, pp. 963–973

The question of the influence of gyroscopic forces on the stability of steady-state motion of a holonomic mechanical system when the forces depend upon the velocities of only the position coordinates was answered by the Kelvin-Chetaev theorems [1] on the influence of gyroscopic and dissipative forces on the stability of equilibrium. However, if the gyroscopic forces depend as well on the velocities of the ignorable coordinates, then their influence on the stability of steady-state motions can, as the two problems in [2] show, prove to be entirely different from the influence of gyroscopic forces depending only on the velocities of the position coordinates. In this paper we investigate the influence of gyroscopic forces depending linearly on the velocities of the generalized coordinates, including the ignorable ones, on the stability of the steady-state motion of a holonomic conservative system. We prove that when the gyroscopic forces applied with respect to the ignorable coordinates are given as total time derivatives of certain functions of the position coordinates, the gyroscopic forces can both stabilize as well as destabilize the steady-state motion. Under certain conditions, this influence is also preserved for the action of dissipative forces depending on the velocities of only the position coordinates. In the case of action of dissipative forces depending also on the velocities of the ignorable coordinates, we have indicated the stability and instability conditions of the steady-state motion. Examples are considered. In conclusion, we discuss the conditions under which the application of gyroscopic forces to the system is equivalent to adding terms depending linearly on the generalized velocities to the Lagrange function.     

Gyroscopic forces in automotive design

The resonance frequencies (eigenfrequencies) of a car may dependsignificantly on the gyroscopic forces resulting from the steeringof the rotating wheels. For example, in the investigated carmodel, the first eigenfrequency decreases considerably withincreasing velocity, and only by taking the gyroscopic forcesinto account do the measured and calculated results match. Asa consequence, it is of great importance to have the gyroscopicforces incorporated in the respective car model. In this paper,for a wheel model with six degrees of freedom (6 DOF), the equationsof motion and eigenvalue equation are set up, where the gyroscopicforces are taken into account exactly. Then, it is shown usingadditional concepts how gyroscopic forces can be incorporatedin the MSC/NASTRAN finite-element package (FE package). Moreover,for a large-scale FE vehicle model, frequency-response calculationswith unbalanced excitation are carried out which exhibit gyroscopiceffects. The results for both the 6-DOF wheel model and theFE vehicle model are illustrated graphically. Among other things,this work has caused the MacNeal Schwendler company to extendthe FE program MSC/NASTRAN in cooperation with Mercedes-Benzso that gyroscopic effects can now be put in directly.     

An estimate of the attraction domain with a specified exponential stability index in a wheeled robot control problem

The problem of synthesizing a law for the control of the plane motion of a wheeled robot is investigated. The rear wheels are the drive wheels and the front wheels are responsible for the turning of the platform. The aim of the control is to steer a target point to a specified trajectory and to stabilize the motion along it. The trajectory is assumed to be specified by a smooth curve. The actual curvature of the trajectory of the target point, which is related to the angle of rotation of the front wheels by a simple algebraic relation, is considered as the control. The control is subjected to bilateral constraints by virtue of the fact that the angle of rotation of the front wheels is limited. The attraction domain in the distance to trajectory - orientation space, is investigated for the proposed control law. Arrival at a trajectory with a specified exponential stability index is guaranteed in the case of initial conditions belonging to the given domain. An estimate of the attraction domain in the form of an ellipse is given.     

Dynamics of Narrow Tilting Vehicles

Narrow commuter vehicles can address many congestion, parking and pollution issues associated with urban transportation. In making narrow vehicles safe, comfortable and acceptable to the public, active tilt control systems are likely to play a crucial role. This paper concentrates on developing a dynamic model for narrow vehicles that can be used for the design and evaluation of active tilt control systems. The model has four degrees of freedom including lateral and tilt dynamics. The influence of gyroscopic forces due to rotating wheels and the influence of front wheel trail are included but secondary coupling effects are ignored so as to keep the model tractable. The model is used in this paper to understand the influence of vehicle tilt on the steering angle required for cornering, the desired tilt angle for any specified cornering maneuver and the influence of gyroscopic moments on transient tilting/cornering maneuvers. A study of the model equations also provides insight into how narrow vehicles can be designed so as to be self-stabilizing.     

Coupled Van der Pol oscillator with non-integer order connection

In this paper the dynamics of a system of two oscillators with strong nonlinear connection is considered. The two mass system connected with a spring with pure nonlinear force of any positive rational order (integer or noninteger), on which some additional small nonlinear forces act, is analyzed. The mathematical model of the system contains two coupled second order differential equations of oscillatory type with strong pure nonlinearity and small additional terms. In the paper an analytical solving procedure which introduces the periodical Ateb function is developed. The averaging solution method is adopted to this special function and gives the new type of averaged differential equations.The special attention is given to the steady-state motion of a two-degree-of-freedom Van der Pol oscillator system of positive rational order of nonlinearity. The influence of the order of nonlinearity on the motion of the system is analyzed. using the suggested approximate method three numerical examples are solved. The obtained results are much more accurate than those obtained by the already published methods based on the trigonometric functions.     

基于Gauss伪谱法的欠驱动航天器姿态优化控制

现代航天器一般可以通过三正交反作用动量飞轮对其进行姿态机动控制并任意定位.研究了当其中某一个动量飞轮失效而不能输出完整三轴控制力矩时的欠驱动航天器姿态优化控制问题.在系统动量矩等于零时,其姿态控制问题可以转化为无漂移系统的非完整运动规划问题.采用Gauss伪谱法(GPM)将带有两个反作用动量飞轮的航天器姿态非完整运动规划问题转换为非线性规划问题(NLP),再通过SQP(sequential quadratic programming)算法求解.通过数值仿真、优化控制能达到设计的零边界控制要求,方便伺服电机对动量飞轮的控制;规划得到的姿态曲线与数值积分得到的曲线几乎完全重叠;权衡最终的优化目标值、运行时间和精度三因素找到合适的插值配点个数;结果表明了该方法对欠驱动航天器的姿态优化控制是有效的.     

基于曲率插值的大变形梁单元

线性梁单元的形函数在单元大转动时会引起虚假应变,不适用于几何非线性分析．传统的几何非线性梁单元由于位移插值和转角插值的相干性,常常引起剪切闭锁等问题．该文 提出了一种平面大变形梁单元,通过单元域内的曲率插值以及曲率与节点位移之间的函数关系,将单元节点力和节点位移表示为节点曲率的函数．由于曲率插值本质上是对梁的应变进行插值,保证了单元任意刚体运动不会产生虚假的节点力;且将梁的截面形心位移表示为曲率的函数,避免了传统单元中的剪切闭锁问题．因而所提方法特别适用于梁的几何非线性分析．数值算例说明了所提方法的正确性和有效性.     

Analysis of flow characteristics of granular material unloaded on nonlinear vibration inclined platform

In this study, the repeated discontinuous friction between granular material and contact platform and structural nonlinearity of inclined vibration platform giving rise to the vibration flow-aiding unloading is a complicated process, which has significant effects on the dynamic behaviors and flow characteristics of granular material. A simplified mathematical model of the inclined vibration platform and granular material is deduced by mechanical properties. Based on the equations of motion and a good degree of accuracy and applicability of the process with calculated data reported in the literature, the approximate analytical solution and flow properties are investigated by using the modified incremental harmonic balance method and numerical integration method. Moreover, the influences of friction coefficient, excitation amplitude, nonlinear stiffness and inclined angle on the complicated dynamic behaviors are explored and discussed. It is shown that the different motion paths of granular material on inclined vibration platform are observed depending on the different parameters. The increasing friction coefficient has complicated effects on the nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the granular material. The excitation amplitude and nonlinear stiffness can effectively control the flow characteristics of granular material at low excitation frequency but the inclined angle presents opposite property. The research may contribute to improve unloading efficiency, predict the motion state of granule and provide a theoretic foundation for further design the unloading system.     

The Behavioral Approach to Systems and Modeling

Passive and active limited-slip differentials are used in high-performance cars to optimize the torque distribution on the driving wheels for traction maximization, driving comfort, stability and active safety of the vehicle. In this paper, detailed and reduced dynamic models for the simulation of four kinds of differential are presented. The models refer to the limited-slip steering differential with two clutches. The model of the conventional differential, of the mechanical limited-slip differential and of the controlled limited-slip differential can be obtained by simplification. The detailed model allows the simulation of the internal phenomena that influence the differential dynamics. The reduced model focuses only on the main dynamic behaviour of the differential. Some simulations show the use of the reduced model to compare the effects of the four differentials on the vehicle dynamics.