1 Academic Proposing the Project
Prof. Tim Gordon
2 PROJECT TITLE
Development of a Simulation Model for Virtual Motion Control for Rollover Prevention
3 INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
The work will be of interest to car companies – presentation of results to JLR, Ford or Volvo is likely, to promote further work
4 SYNOPSIS:
The project is in two parts. The first part is to develop equations of motion for a 14 DOF full vehicle in Matlab/Simulink: 6 DOF rigid motions of the vehicle structure, 2 DOF for each wheel – vertical and wheel spin, plus kinematic degrees of freedom for changes in steering/camber /caster angles. A commercial simulation tool such as CarSim will be used to supply parameters including the tyre model. The vehicle type of interest is an SUV, as such cars are prone to rollover. The second part of the project is to analyse vehicle motions and control interventions, e.g. rear-wheel steering or individual wheel braking, the purpose being to see which actuators are most effective in rollover intervention. The method is to simulate a number of rollover events and at a number of pre-rollover configurations apply, by the so-called “brute force” method, the full range of available interventions, mapping the effects on motion variables such as lateral acceleration and roll moment (these are so-called virtual controls).
The work is an initial phase in a longer-term research theme: optimal vehicle control in safety-critical situations where autonomous safety systems help the driver (or take control from the driver) to prevent a crash. Little work has been done in cases where rollover is a limiting factor when control interventions are used to provide deceleration, change of path direction and preserver the lateral stability of the vehicle.
• the nature of the research outcomes
If successful, the work can be published or presented in a workshop or conference.
• the type and quality of research skills the student(s) will be acquirin
It is important to have an interest in dynamics, including vehicle dynamics. An interest in programming in Matlab is very important also. The skills obtained will open up opportunities to work in cutting edge vehicle engineering programmes within the car industry.
References/ background:
1. Sayers, Michael W., and Dongsuk Han. “A generic multibody vehicle model for simulating handling and braking.” Vehicle system dynamics 25.S1 (1996): 599-613.
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwLNVCOmiL4
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euw71incGFU
4. Further discussion via email is welcome. Please contact me at [email protected]
5 PROJECT ELEMENTS
Please answer to the following questions
5.1 Where the raw data comes from?
Commercial simulation packages
5.2 Types of measurement required?
none
5.3 Types of experiments or design?
Computer simulations
5.4 Does the student need supervising during measurement/experiment?
No.
5.5 Tools/equipment required?
Computer
5.6 Do you need a laboratory?
Computer laboratory
5.7 Do you need other resources/equipment/software not in the school?
No.
5.8 Are there cost implications?