Robustness Analysis of an Electrohydraulic Steering Control System Based on the Estimated Uncertainty Model

The impossibility of replacing hydraulic drives with other type drives in heavy duty machinery is the main reason for the development of a system for controlling hydraulic power steering. Moreover, the need for remote automatic control of the steering in specific types of mobile machinery leads to significant scientific interest in the design of embedded systems for controlling electro-hydraulic steering units. This article introduces an approach, which has been developed by authors, for robust stability and robust performance analysis of two embedded systems for controlling electro-hydraulic power steering in mobile machinery. It is based on the suggested new more realistic “black box” SIMO model with output multiplicative uncertainty. The uncertainty is obtained by parameters confidence interval and Gauss approximation formula. The embedded control systems used a linear-quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller and H∞ controller. The synthesis of the controllers was performed on the basis of a nominal part of an uncertainty model. Robust stability and robust performance analyses were performed in the framework of a so-called structured singular value, μ. The obtained theoretical results were experimentally approved by real experiments with both of the developed control systems, which were physically realized as a laboratory test rig.

Handling improvement of the M1 class vehicles by the way of hydraulic power steering adaptive characteristic optimization

In the paper, a work on handling improvement of the M1 class vehicle by means of optimization of the volume flow-pressure characteristic of the power steering pump with adaptive characteristic is described. A work on the simulation of the liquid flow through the electromagnetic valve of the power steering pump in initial and modified state is described. Results of bench testing of the optimized pump prototypes and subjective and objective road tests of the M1 vehicle with optimized prototype and initial one installed are presented.

Robust μ-Controller for Hydraulic Spool Valve, Pilot Operated with Switching Micro Valves

Hydraulic spool valve, pilot operated with bi-state switching micro valves is a low-cost alternative to the conventional proportional and high-response valves. However, high-frequency switching causes variations in the control flow which limits achievable spool tracking error. This paper presents the design of a robust μ-controller for the spool position reference tracking synthesized with D-K iterative procedure. Furthermore, in order to reduce wind-up effects in the closed-loop, the μ-controller is decomposed to a canonical observer and state feedback components which allows explicit introduction of the saturated control signal in the controller equations. The uncertainty model required for the μ-synthesis is inferred from the nonlinear hydraulic model by identification of a Box–Jenkins model set characterized by its parameter covariance matrix. The regulator is implemented in a 32-bit programmable logic controller (PLC) and its performance is experimentally verified on a laboratory test bench of electro-hydraulic power steering system.

Development of alternative steering models for ev bus: a preliminary study on the conversion of hydraulic to electric power steering

This study aims to develop alternative steering models for the EV bus. The EV bus uses its energy source from the main 384 VDC 300 Ah battery and the secondary battery with a capacity of 25.8 VDC 100 Ah. The use of energy in this electric bus is divided into the main components, namely the BLDC motor as the main drive of 200 kW, 15 kW of air conditioning, 7.5 kW of hydraulic power steering, a compressor for the air braking system of 4 kW, and accessory components. The other is 2.4 kW. It is expected that this 7.5 kW electric power can be reduced by an electric system by up to 20 %. This research will study the steering system with an electric power system (EPS) to convert the hydraulic steering system (HPS). With this EPS system, it is hoped that controlling the vehicle’s motion towards the steer by wire will be easier. Initially, data were collected from the types of large vehicles from various well-known brands about the steering system used. A large commercial vehicle that purely uses EPS is not yet found. The model developed for EPS on this electric bus is through the reverse engineering method by redrawing all the components involved in the previous steering system. Because this type of EV bus is included in the upper mid-size class, this paper proposes two new EPS models, namely the addition of an assist motor on the drag link and on the steering rack. The links involved in this system are wheel drive, steering column, lower steering column, rack and pinion gear, assist motor, drop link, drag link, drop link extension, drag link extension, tie rod, knuckle, kingpin, tire, axle beam and several others. The values of stiffness, inertia, and damping of each link will affect the driver’s torque and the assist motor as a wheel speed function on this electric bus. The steering structure of the EV bus consists of a truss structure and a frame structure with a kinematic structure consisting of two four-bar linkages joined together

Study on tie rod force characteristics in electro-hydraulic power steering system for heavy vehicle

The tie rod is one of the key components affecting the steering stability and reliability in the steering system of heavy vehicles. In order to meet the heavy load steering requirements of heavy vehicles, the steering system is universally the electro-hydraulic power steering system (EHPSS). The hydraulic actuators used in the EHPSS are double hydraulic cylinders, which are connected in series and symmetrically installed in this study. The hydraulic drive system in the steering system will affect the steering mechanism of stress state, leading to the tension of the tie rod in most working conditions. The tie rod be compressed only in extremely unequal loading of dual-tires. The tie rod force model is established based on Lagrange equation and verified by the tie rod test platform. Three key parameters describing the force rule of tie rod are obtained by adopting quasi-steady state analysis method, including pump pressure, difference value and sum value of left and right tires steering resistance torque. Pump pressure is the key factor affecting the tie rod force. The higher the pump pressure is, the greater the pull force of tie rod is. The steering resistance torque will further affect the variation law of the tie rod force. In the analysis when the tire at middle position, with the increase of difference value of steering resistance torque, the tie rod force offset between loading conditions and no-load conditions increases. When the tire turns from the middle to both sides, the increase of sum value of steering resistance torque will result in the rising of tie rod force change rate. This study reveals the variation law and key parameters of the tie rod force of heavy vehicles. It can provide basis for stability and reliability design of steering system.

Coordinated control strategy for vehicle electro-hydraulic compound steering system

In order to reduce steering energy consumption and improve steering feeling of heavy commercial vehicle, a novel electro-hydraulic compound steering system is proposed, which combines the function of electro-hydraulic power steering and electric power steering. The electro-hydraulic compound steering system dynamic model is established and the coordinated control strategy of dual actuators is proposed by analyzing the structure and dynamic characteristics of electro-hydraulic compound steering system. The genetic algorithm is used to optimize the steering assist torque distribution, and an Elman neural network predictive controller with fuzzy compensation is designed to solve the nonlinear problem of the electro-hydraulic compound system. Finally, the simulation is carried out by using Amesim/Simulink. The simulation results show that the coordinated control strategy designed in this paper enables the electro-hydraulic compound steering system significantly better than the traditional electro-hydraulic power steering system in steering feeling and energy consumption.