Title: Application of variable-structure output feedback control to active front steering for understeer and oversteer conditions

Authors: Youssef A. Ghoneim

Addresses: Research and Development Center, General Motors Corporation, 30500 Mound Road, Warren, MI, USA

Abstract: This paper describes an approach to the design of Active Front Steering (AFS) based on Variable-Structure Output Feedback Control (VSOFC) with integral action to enhance vehicle stability during understeer and oversteer conditions. We determine the understeer and oversteer behaviour of the vehicle and we change the AFS control strategy based on the understeer and oversteer behaviour of the vehicle so that the road wheel steering angle is in the ideal position to provide the intended steering angle. The control law ensures not only that the vehicle trajectory follows a desired reference trajectory but also that its convergence rate can be specified. Finally we present simulation results to demonstrate the potential benefits of the control strategy under different driving scenarios.

Keywords: AFS; active front steering; variable structure control; feedback control; understeer; oversteer; vehicle stability; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2013.052700

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2013 Vol.62 No.2/3/4, pp.106 - 122

Received: 20 Aug 2010
Accepted: 31 May 2011
Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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