Advanced vehicle dynamics of heavy trucks with the perspective of road safety

ABSTRACT

This paper presents state-of-the art within advanced vehicle dynamics of heavy trucks with the perspective of road safety. The most common accidents with heavy trucks involved are truck against passenger cars. Safety critical situations are for example loss of control (such as rollover and lateral stability) and a majority of these occur during speed when cornering. Other critical situations are avoidance manoeuvre and road edge recovery. The dynamic behaviour of heavy trucks have significant differences compared to passenger cars and as a consequence, successful application of vehicle dynamic functions for enhanced safety of trucks might differ from the functions in passenger cars. Here, the differences between vehicle dynamics of heavy trucks and passenger cars are clarified. Advanced vehicle dynamics solutions with the perspective of road safety of trucks are presented, beginning with the topic vehicle stability, followed by the steering system, the braking system and driver assistance systems that differ in some way from that of passenger cars as well.     

High speed driving stability of passenger car under crosswind effects

The driving stability of a passenger car at high-speed and under crosswind conditions is affected by aerodynamic characteristics as well as their dynamic characteristics, suspension, and weight distribution. In this study, the total measuring system was thought up to understand the transient vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics with driver’s control inputs all together. The test results were taken from a full-scale wind tunnel test, a crosswind generator test and an on-road test. We investigated major aerodynamic parameters that affect the driving stability of passenger cars under crosswind effects such as overtaking, passing each other, natural crosswind, etc. The reaction rate of high-speed stability will be improved when we minimize the total lift, side force and especially the yawing moment.     

考虑气动阻力和横风稳定的汽车车身多目标优化设计

综合考虑了气动阻力特性和横风稳定性,对车身外形参数进行了多目标自动优化设计。综合利用参数化建模技术、计算流体力学(CFD)仿真、试验设计方法、响应面模型和智能优化算法,集成Pro/Engineer参数化建模和ICEM网格划分工具以及Fluent仿真软件,在多学科优化平台modeFRONTIER上,搭建了一种自动优化设计流程。利用该流程,基于遗传算法(GA)对MIRA快背式模型车身几何外形进行了改型设计,得到了考虑车身气动阻力特性和横风稳定性的最优权衡设计解集。该结果使得气动阻力因数降低了5.2%,侧向力因数降低了5.8%。因而,实现了车身气动阻力和横风稳定性的多目标优化。     

Handling Characteristics of Car-Trailer Systems; A State-of-the-Art Survey

Work relevant to the state of the art as regards passenger cars towing trailers is referenced and reviewed. Not only included is the very limited amount of work specifically dealing with passenger cars towing trailers, but also reviewed is the much larger body of work having a bearing on car-trailer systems. Topics included are aerodynamic forces, tire forces, the compliance concept, relevant work on vehicles without trailers, vehicles with trailers, and the role of the driver. The types of stability problems exhibited by car-trailer systems are discussed.

The state of the art as regards ability to predict vehicle response to specific steering inputs is shown to be fairly advanced. Recent significant advances include the appearance of experimental data useful for validating theoretical models. However, the state of the art as regards definition of what constitute desirable handling characteristics is still at a primitive stage, largely because of a lack of understanding of the roles played by drivers as part of the vehicle -driver - environment systems.

Throughout the review an effort was made to point out topic areas where it is likely that significant future contributions to the state of the art can be made. These areas are reviewed in the conclusions.     

Effect of rear slant angle on vehicle crosswind stability simulation on a simplified car model

It is important to know the effect of the aerodynamic forces and moments on driving stability because it is responsible for the excitation and influences the response of the vehicle. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of rear slant angle of a surface vehicle on crosswind sensitivity for stability analysis. The vehicle mathematical model used to conduct a dynamic simulation was based on a simple reduced order lateral dynamics of sideslip and yaw rate motion coupled with aerodynamics model. The intention here is to compare the effect of rear slant angles response to crosswind and to rank the crosswind sensitivity ratings. The aerodynamic loads are defined as the function of the aerodynamic derivatives from the static wind tunnel tests. Result shows a 20° rear slant angle demonstrates the highest rating of crosswind sensitivity, while zero degree slant exhibits the least.     

Simulation of Vehicle and Power Steering Dynamics Using Tire Model Parameters Matched to Whole Vehicle Experimental Results

This paper uses simulation to investigate how vehicle loading conditions (driver only, passengers, cargo, and fuel) affect power steering system and overall vehicle dynamics. Our purpose of the study was to evaluate the power steering system model for possible use in the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS). The effects of changing loading conditions on inertial properties of passenger cars have been found experimentally using a Vehicle Inertia Measurement Facility (VIMF). This paper presents simulation results using a vehicle handling model combined with a power steering system model and a nonlinear tire model. A crucial part of this project was the adjustment of certain parameters of Pacejka's tire model in order to match simulation results with experimental measurements of vehicle and power steering variables in transient maneuvers.     

Simulation of Vehicle and Power Steering Dynamics Using Tire Model Parameters Matched to Whole Vehicle Experimental Results

This paper uses simulation to investigate how vehicle loading conditions (driver only, passengers, cargo, and fuel) affect power steering system and overall vehicle dynamics. Our purpose of the study was to evaluate the power steering system model for possible use in the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS). The effects of changing loading conditions on inertial properties of passenger cars have been found experimentally using a Vehicle Inertia Measurement Facility (VIMF). This paper presents simulation results using a vehicle handling model combined with a power steering system model and a nonlinear tire model. A crucial part of this project was the adjustment of certain parameters of Pacejka's tire model in order to match simulation results with experimental measurements of vehicle and power steering variables in transient maneuvers.     

移动车辆非定常气动力时域模拟及分析

为了在时域中考虑复数导纳函数,精细化模拟作用在移动列车上的非定常气动力,提出列车复数导纳函数时频变换方法,并建立同时考虑顺风向、横风向和竖向脉动风的移动列车非定常气动力数学模型。首先,推导出相对于移动列车的瞬时风速,并将瞬时风速代入到移动列车风荷载模型中,通过泰勒级数展开和忽略脉动风速、三角函数高阶项,将移动列车非定常气动力表示成关于顺风向、横风向和竖向脉动风的函数。然后,基于有理函数逼近法,将频域的复数导纳函数展开成有理函数项表示,再通过拉普拉斯逆变换实现导纳函数的时频变换,并将变换后的时域导纳函数代入推导的气动力模型中,精细化模拟移动列车非定常气动力。最后,通过与加权函数法对比,验证基于有理函数逼近法模拟移动列车非定常气动力方法的正确性,分析复数导纳函数相位、横风向和竖向脉动风对列车非定常气动力的影响。研究结果表明：有理函数逼近法可以成功实现列车复数导纳函数的时频变换,能够在非定常气动力时域模拟中有效考虑复数导纳函数的相位特性;导纳函数能够降低气动力的峰值,其相位可以使得非定常气动力时程产生“延迟”;横风向和竖向脉动风对列车非定常气动力的贡献不容忽视,能够使得气动力峰值显著增大;在列车非定常气动力模拟中,应该综合考虑复数导纳函数以及横风向和竖向脉动风的影响。研究结果可为移动列车风荷载及风-车-桥耦合振动等相关研究提供参考。     

High downforce race car vertical dynamics: aerodynamic index

Race car performance is strongly affected by aerodynamics. Due to downforce generated by the vehicle floor (i.e. diffuser), vehicle ride heights are key parameters to improve performance, and the coupling of aerodynamics and suspension is one of the key points of race car setting. This work focuses on the suspension and aerodynamic coupling from the vertical dynamics point of view. Besides road holding performance, for race cars, aerodynamic performance and stability are major factors. Downforce decreases laptime (the main performance target) but pitch instability is a non-desired effect that can happen in high downforce race cars. A new vertical dynamic performance index is proposed through the use of simulation to improve aerodynamic performance and understand the pitch instability phenomenon. This new index uses all relevant vehicle nonlinearities related to vertical dynamics and can handle a specific track profile and vehicle speed range, allowing the analysis be conducted according to a circuit specification. A previously validated Formula 3 car model was used as an example.     

汽车无级变速器传动性能评价系统研究

根据无级变速器电子控制单元的控制算法,结合试验数据,建立了无级变速器(CVT)性能评价系统中的驾驶员模型、发动机模型、无级变速器模型与整车动力学模型。同时给出了各个模型在Simulink中具体的建模方法。最后,针对具体车型,建立了该车型的CVT传动性能的评价系统。     

Proposal for Testing and Rating of Traction and Stability Control Systems

Function and object of existing control systems for traction and stability are described. The problem of rating and objective evaluation of the influence of such slip control systems on vehicle dynamics is demonstrated. Closed-loop manoeuvres with subjective assessment and open-loop tests with measured data are shown. Analysis of correlation results in characteristic values which allow assessment of dynamic performance of slip control systems. Tests on natural and synthetic μ-low road surface with two passenger cars, equipped with different slip control systems, demonstrate the objective test method and show their results.     

Modelling and control of a new differential steering concept

This paper presents a new steer-by-wire concept using an all-wheel drive vehicle layout with in-wheel motors while completely omitting the application of any dedicated steering device. Steering is based on the so-called differential steering principle which generates the necessary steering moment about the kingpins by a traction force difference between left and right sides of the vehicle. In order to investigate the behaviour of the vehicle and to design the underlying control algorithms, a planar vehicle model is presented, where the vehicle is described as constrained non-holonomic system requiring a special treatment. A state feedback linear controller for controlling of the lateral dynamics of the vehicle at higher speeds and a simple PI angle controller for low-speed manoeuvring are developed. The resulting behaviour of the system is investigated by various simulation experiments demonstrating a comparable steering performance of the new steering concept as that of conventional passenger cars.     

3-D numerical and experimental analysis for airflow within a passenger compartment

People use cars so frequently that they always consider the air-conditioning, and thermal comfort of the driver and passenger when buying a new car. Therefore accurate simulation of the thermal performance of automobile air conditioners to improve human comfort has become increasingly important. In order to improve the thermal comfort of passengers, 3-D flow motion and thermal behavior within vehicles must be analyzed. In this paper, a numerical simulation was used to investigate thermal behavior in a vehicle. Because air temperature at an air vent is related to the cooling capacity of the air conditioner, the cooling capacity was calculated using ɛ-NTU (effective number of transfer unit) theoretical equations. Using the air temperature relationship between inlet and outlet vents as boundary conditions, a 3-D unsteady κ-ɛ turbulent model was used to give a transient analysis simulation of the temperature field and flow conditions in a vehicle’s passenger cabin. Cooling cycle analysis and conjugate heat transfer analysis at the inside surface of the cabin’s ceiling, floor and sides were also considered. The predicted temperature distributions in the vehicles passenger cabin were in good agreement with those obtained experimentally.     

Optimization of Vehicles Elasto-Damping Elements Characteristics from the Aspect of Ride Comfort

SUMMARY

Spatial random vibrations of a vehicle that arise during driving represent an important factor in functioning of a dynamic system: Driver - Vehicle - Environment. They carry certain information for driver and also cause fatigue of driver and passenger.

This is the reason why the tendency is towards the minimization of vibratory loads, what in practice can be achieved by optimization of characteristics of elasto - damping elements of a vehicle.

In this paper for optimization of elasto - damping elements of a vehicle we used a complex nonlinear model of a driver and a vehicle during the straight - line motion of the vehicle on a rough road. Optimization was performed by application of the Hooke - Jeeves method and by use of outside penalty functions as well as the objective function that enabled simultaneous optimization of vertical vibrations of the driver's seat, vibrations of the steering wheel, and normal reactions in the contact surface of the tyre and road. The optimization was performed with application of the computer HP 9000/800 SE on the example of a medium passenger car.     

桥梁气弹响应分析的时域气动模型

为了解决传统桥梁气弹响应分析方法因非定常不可压流CFD计算量巨大而导致的效率低下问题,提出一种桥梁气弹响应分析的新方法。该方法采用频域特性可调的广谱指数脉冲时间序列强迫桥梁断面运动,并通过CFD计算得到作用在桥梁断面上的气动力,然后由桥梁断面的运动位移和气动力时程,通过系统识别建立起桥梁绕流系统的时域离散时间气动模型。最后以具有扭转自由度的薄平板在初始位移激励下的运动为例,进行了振动响应计算和气弹全过程分析。研究结果表明:该方法能显著提高桥梁气弹响应分析的计算效率。     

基于多维信息特征分析的驾驶人认知负荷研究

准确评估驾驶人认知负荷水平，对于深入研究驾驶人行为特性，改善驾驶安全性具有重要意义。现有的驾驶人认知负荷分类方法，大多基于心电、脑电等生理信息和车辆信息，由于特征选择上的单一性，导致驾驶人认知负荷分类模型的分类精度不高。设计基于跟驰场景的不同认知负荷N-back次任务试验，通过采集受试者的生理信号和车辆信号，结合NASA_TLX主观评分和机器学习算法，提出了基于多维信息特征融合的驾驶人认知负荷分类方法。研究表明：基于生理信息和车辆信息的多维信息特征认知负荷分类方法，其精度显著高于传统的基于生理信息的认知负荷分类方法，以多维信息特征为输入，随机森林法以其稳定性好、抗过拟合能力强的特点，表现出优异的分类效果，相比神经网络和支持向量机，具有最高的平均分类精度。     

高速行驶遭遇侧风的SUV汽车气动特性模拟研究

采用计算流体力学和合成风方法研究某SUV汽车高速行驶遭遇比较危险强度侧风下的外流场分布并得到气动力（矩）及系数。该方法使乘用车高速行驶遭遇危险侧风情况下气动特性预测成为可能。为深入研究高速行驶侧风作用下乘用车气动特性以及结合汽车操纵动力学对侧风稳定性进行动力学仿真提供了有利的参考。     

Heavy vehicle pitch dynamics and suspension tuning. Part I: unconnected suspension

The influence of suspension tuning of passenger cars on bounce and pitch ride performance has been explored in a number of studies, while only minimal efforts have been made for establishing similar rules for heavy vehicles. This study aims to explore pitch dynamics and suspension tunings of a two-axle heavy vehicle with unconnected suspension, which could also provide valuable information for heavy vehicles with coupled suspensions. Based on a generalised pitch-plane model of a two-axle heavy vehicle integrating either unconnected or coupled suspension, three dimensionless measures of suspension properties are defined and analysed—namely the pitch margin (PM), pitch stiffness ratio (PSR), and coupled pitch stiffness ratio (CPSR)—for different unconnected suspension tunings and load conditions. Dynamic responses of the vehicle with three different load conditions and five different tunings of the unconnected suspension are obtained under excitations arising from three different random road roughness conditions and a wide range of driving speeds, and braking manoeuvres. The responses are evaluated in terms of performance measures related to vertical and pitch ride, dynamic tyre load, suspension travel, and pitch-attitude control characteristics of the vehicle. Fundamental relationships between the vehicle responses and the proposed suspension measures (PM, PSR, and CPSR) are established, based on which some basic suspension tuning rules for heavy vehicles with unconnected suspensions are also proposed.     

Automotive Stability and Handling Dynamics in Cornering and Braking Maneuvers

SUMMARY

Automotive steering behaviour is classified for steady-state cornering and the definitions of over-/understeer and stability/instability are well known. In this paper it is intended to apply these definitions to combined cornering and braking maneuvers i.e. to extend the criteria to quasi-steady-state conditions. This way of investigation was chosen because it gives a clear idea of the typical handling behaviour. Furthermore, the vehicle behaviour is analyzed using the cornering stiffness of the axles and front/rear cornering stiffness ratio because this is always of primary significance. The following contribution is based on a theoretical analysis considering the most important non-linear vehicle properties.

The paper deals with two groups of vehicles: single vehicles (passenger cars) and combinations (passenger car/caravan and tractor/semitrailer). In the case of combinations the effect of trailers on the towing vehicles is examined. So, careful attention is paid to the coupling forces, which alter the wheel loads and influence steerability and stability.     

汽车与摩托车碰撞事故再现及摩托车驾驶员致伤特点分析

通过对事故中汽车损坏痕迹及摩托车驾驶员伤亡情况的鉴定,建立模型,构建事故碰撞环境,使用成熟事故再现软件PC-Crash对汽车与摩托车碰撞事故发生过程进行重建,对摩托车驾驶员碰撞后的运动响应及各损伤部位的动力学响应参数进行分析,将仿真结果中摩托车驾驶员的运动响应、损伤部位的伤亡程度及动力学响应结果与法医学尸检报告中的客观事实进行对比,得出了基于PC-Crash的仿真结果与实际情形基本符合的结论。