Symmetry Control of Comfortable Vehicle Suspension Based on H∞

Suspension is an important part of intelligent and safe transportation; it is the balance point between the comfort and handling stability of a vehicle under intelligent traffic conditions. In this study, a control method of left-right symmetry of air suspension based on H∞ theory was proposed, which was verified under intelligent traffic conditions. First, the control stability caused by the active suspension control system running on uneven roads needs to be ensured. To address this issue, a 1/4 vehicle active suspension model was established, and the vertical acceleration of the vehicle body was applied as the main index of ride comfort. H∞ performance constraint output indicators of the controller contained the tire dynamic load, suspension dynamic stroke, and actuator control force limit. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, an output feedback control law with H∞-guaranteed performance was proposed to constrain multiple targets. This way, the control problem was transformed into a solution to the Riccati equation. The simulation results showed that when dealing with general road disturbances, the proposed control strategy can reduce the vehicle body acceleration by about 20% and meet the requirements of an ultimate suspension dynamic deflection of 0.08 m and a dynamic tire load of 1500 N. Using this symmetrical control method can significantly improve the ride comfort and driving stability of a vehicle under intelligent traffic conditions.

Microstructural Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Laser Beam-Welded Dissimilar Joints between A6000 Aluminum Alloy and Galvanized Steel

This paper presents the laser beam welding process of a lap joint between galvanized steel (Z225) and an aluminum alloy (A6000) from an IPG fiber laser. Welding of steel to aluminum has become popular in the automotive industry as a means of reducing the total vehicle body mass. This approach reduces fuel consumption and, ultimately, carbon emissions. Laser welding parameters used to control heat input for the study were laser power ranging between 800 and 1200 W, as well as laser welding speeds between 2 and 4 m/min. Distinct features of the dissimilar joints were microscopically examined. The SEM-EDS technique was employed to study the intermetallic phases along the Fe-Al interface. The outcome revealed the presence of “needle-like phases” and “island-shaped phases” at high heat inputs. Traces of both Fe2Al5 and FeAl3 phases were detected. For low heat input, there was evidence of insufficient fusion. Weld width was influenced by welding parameters and increased with an increase in heat input. Mechanical properties of the joints indicated that the microhardness values of the weld joints were higher than those of both base metals. The maximum tensile shear strength obtained was 1.79 kN for a sample produced at 1200 W and 3 m/min.

Using In-Vehicle Monitoring Data to Assess Road Conditions of Traffic Flows

Developments in adaptive systems for maintenance and repair of automotive vehicles set the task of monitoring the conditions of their operation. One of the main factors determining these conditions is the type of road surface.The article describes the results of identification of the type (and condition) of the road surface obtained by theoretical and experimental methods based on the analysis of vertical accelerations recorded on the vehicle body.The purpose of research was to provide a possibility of continuous monitoring of the type of road surface on which a vehicle is driving, with the subsequent application of the obtained data to correct maintenance intervals. The results of experiments have shown the dependence of the vertical acceleration of the body on the micro-profile of the road surface. The described experimentally obtained profiles of vertical accelerations refer to different types of road surface in different conditions. For quantitative assessment, it is proposed to calculate the average level of accelerations as an integral average over a certain time interval.The results of the experiments have allowed to substantiate the empirical dependence of the average level of accelerations on speed of a vehicle. Based on this dependence, a method is proposed for recalculating the current values of the average levels of accelerations obtained at different speeds into values adjusted to the base speed to ensure the possibility of their comparison.It is shown that based on the values of average acceleration levels obtained through operation monitoring regarding a previously known type of road surface, it is possible to determine its condition. A short algorithm is formulated for practical implementation and assessment of road conditions of traffic flows. As for hardware, it is proposed not to equip a vehicle with additional sensors but to use operational standard accelerometers as part of in-vehicle emergency call systems, e.g., ERA-GLONASS equipment units.

Topological Optimization of the Strength Element of the Aircraft Compartment Made of Metal-Matrix Composite Material

At present, in order to increase the weight efficiency of parts and structures of promising aircraft and rocket-space vehicles, various types of additive technologies and topological optimization methods are being actively introduced. Their purpose is a significant reduction in time and financial costs in the manufacture and creation of fundamentally new geometric solutions. The article considers approaches to selecting the geometric parameters of the strength elements of the flight vehicle body made of a metal-matrix composite material based on VT6 titanium alloy, reinforced with a finely dispersed silicon carbide powder, which is produced by direct laser growth technology. On the basis of numerical simulation, the dependences of the metal-matrix composite material physicomechanical and thermophysical characteristics on the volume fraction of silicon carbide have been determined. It was found that the use of a metal-matrix composite material and the optimization of geometric parameters with adaptation to the direct laser growth technology allows reducing the weight of the strength element of the flight vehicle body by more than 30% (depending on the overall dimensions).

An optimal control method for time-delay feedback control of 1/4 vehicle active suspension under random excitation

Time-delay feedback control can effectively broaden the damping frequency band and improve the damping efficiency. However, the existing time-delay feedback control strategy has no obvious effect on multi-frequency random excitation vibration reduction control. That is, when the frequency of external excitation is more complicated, there is no better way to obtain the best time-delay feedback control parameters. To overcome this issue, this paper is the first work of proposing an optimal calculation method that introduces stochastic excitation into the process of solving the delay feedback control parameters. It is a time-delay control parameter with a better damping effect for random excitation. In this paper, a 2 DOF one-quarter vehicle suspension model with time-delay is studied. First, the stability interval of time-delay feedback control parameters is solved by using the Lyapunov stability theory. Second, the optimal control parameters of the time-delay feedback control under random excitation are solved by particle swarm optimization (PSO). Finally, the simulation models of a one-quarter vehicle suspension simulation model are established. Random excitation and harmonic excitation are used as inputs. The response of the vehicle body under the frequency domain damping control method and the proposed control method is compared and simulated. To make the control precision higher and the solution speed faster, this paper simulates the model by using the precise integration method of transient history. The simulation results show that the acceleration of the vehicle body in the proposed control method is 13.05% less than the passive vibration absorber under random excitation. Compared with the time-delay feedback control optimized by frequency response function, the damping effect is 12.99%. The results show that the vibration displacement, vibration velocity, and vibration acceleration of the vehicle body are better than the frequency domain function optimization method, whether it is harmonic excitation or random excitation. The ride comfort of the vehicle is improved obviously. It provides a valuable tool for time-delay vibration reduction control under random excitation.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE NORMAL REACTIONS ON THE QUANTOMOBILE WHEELS

Introduction: The progress of science has made it possible to create new quantum engines (QEs) powered by physical vacuum energy. A QE will generate a vector-based propulsive force, or thrust, applicable to the vehicle body directly, with no transmission required. Traditional cars will be upgraded with QEs and thus converted into quantomobiles. QE thrust application at the point of the vehicle body, hovering above the bearing surface, introduces changes in the traditional diagram of forces acting on the vehicle. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the influence of thrust on the longitudinal stability of the quantomobile. Methods: In the course of the study, we upgraded the diagram of forces acting on the traditional vehicle, by introducing QE thrust (bearing in mind vehicle hovering above the bearing surface). We also developed a corresponding mathematical model for the distribution of the normal reactions on the wheels, taking into account QE placement. Results: Among the developed calculation complexes to perform a qualitative analysis of the influence of force factors on the quantomobile chassis load, a complex representing the longitudinal thrust and the thrust height was distinguished. Discussion: These complexes may serve as the basis of calculation units for more detailed programming, analysis, and synthesis of the design of vehicles with QEs, assessment of the longitudinal stability of the vehicle, optimization of QE placement in the quantomobile body. Example: The method developed is presented using a quantomobile similar to a KamAZ-4326 automobile. Conclusion: The considered diagram of forces acting on a quantomobile, including QE thrust above the bearing surface, shall become generic for force diagrams of quantomobiles with additional thrusters intended to increase the longitudinal stability of the vehicle.

Investigation on friction-induced judder of vehicle driveline based on a nonlinear friction model

Due to friction characteristics of clutch, the driveline is prone to cause a judder during vehicle starting, and then to cause the vehicle body to vibrate, which affects driving quality. In order to analyze the judder phenomenon, a nonlinear numerical friction model based on the Gaussian friction model is established in this paper. For the driveline of a front-wheel-drive vehicle, a five-degree-of-freedom (5DOF) lumped parameter model including a nonlinear friction element is established. The complex mode of the driveline during the clutch in slip condition is calculated. The key parameters affecting the driveline stability are analyzed. The self-excited judder and pressure-induced judder of the driveline are numerically simulated, and the corresponding causes are analyzed. The nonlinear friction torque of the clutch is also calculated. Furthermore, the effects of the key parameters such as the torsional stiffness and damping of the clutch and drive shaft suppressing the self-excited judder and pressure-induced judder are numerically studied respectively. Compared with the widely used Karnopp friction model, the nonlinear numerical friction model established in this paper comprehensively includes the stribeck effect in slip and the friction torque characteristics in stick. The phenomena of the judder and stick-slip of the driveline during vehicle starting are more accurately simulated. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results, which verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the dynamic model including the nonlinear friction element established in this paper.

Vehicle Body and Roll Cage Assessment involving Frontal, Side and Roll-over Crash Analysis by FEA using LS-Dyna

Simulating the vehicle collision has gained importance in the automotive sector due to its accuracy, cost effectiveness and enhanced reliability. It aids in improving the safety of driver and passenger and also examine the cause of crash or collision. This numerical analysis investigates the materials capability to enhance safety. A three-dimensional vehicle model was developed along with its roll cage using solid work tool. Hypermesh work bench was employed to discretise the sensitive parts of the body and roll cage using beam 189 element having six degree of freedom at each node. The existing structural steel members were replaced with reinforced carbon fibre in all the sensitive part of the body and roll cage and its structural stability was assessed using the frontal, side and roll over crash simulation using LS Dyna. This investigation also reveals the change in internal energy, kinetic energy absorption and momentum transfer for both structural steel and carbon fiber under all the crash scenarios. The outcomes of this numerical investigation proved that the reinforced carbon fiber can be effectively replaced with the structural steel to enhance safety.

Research on vibration reduction of semi-active suspension system of quarter vehicle based on time-delayed feedback control with body acceleration

In this paper, the mechanical model of two-degree-of-freedom vehicle semi-active suspension system based on time-delayed feedback control with vertical acceleration of the vehicle body was studied. With frequency-domain analysis method, the optimization of time-delayed feedback control parameters of vehicle suspension system in effective frequency band was studied, and a set of optimization method of time-delayed feedback control parameters based on “equivalent harmonic excitation” was proposed. The time-domain simulation results of vehicle suspension system show that compared with the passive control, the time-delayed feedback control based on the vertical acceleration of the vehicle body under the optimal time-delayed feedback control effectively broadens the vibration absorption bandwidth of the vehicle suspension system. The ride comfort and stability of the vehicle under random road excitation are significantly improved, which provides a theoretical basis for the selection of time-delayed feedback control strategy and the optimal design of time-delayed feedback control parameters of vehicle suspension system.

Study on Side Collision of Battery Boxes Based on HyperWorks

To effectively improve the safety of battery boxes in side collision of electric vehicles, two measures are proposed: Firstly spread the boss evenly around the battery box. Secondly the upper and lower parts of the battery box are matched with the convex heads and groove structure. The finite element models of the battery boxes before and after the optimization, the vehicle and the movable barrier are established in this paper. According to the collision regulations, the side collision simulation of the vehicle body is carried out. The changes of the stress, deformation and lateral acceleration of the battery boxes are analyzed. The effectiveness of the measures is verified. The extrusion models of the battery boxes are established. The deformation and the changes of the internal energy of the battery boxes are analyzed. The effectiveness of the measures is verified again.