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Wheel Aerodynamics is an important part of vehicle aerodynamics. The wheels can notably influence the total aerodynamic drag, lift and ventilation drag of vehicles. In order to simulate the real on-road condition of driving cars, the moving ground and wheel rotation is of major importance in CFD. However, the wheel rotation condition is difficult to be represented exactly, so this is still a critical topic which needs to be worked on. In this paper, a study, which focuses on two types of cars: a fastback sedan and a notchback DrivAer, is conducted. Comparing three different wheel rotating simulation methods: steady Moving wall, MRF and unsteady Sliding Mesh, the effects of different methods for the numerical simulation of vehicle aerodynamics are revealed. Discrepancies of aerodynamic forces between the methods are discussed as well as the flow field, and the simulation results are also compared with published experimental data for validation.

Recently, several datasets have become available for occupant monitoring algorithm development, including real and synthetic datasets. However, real data acquisition is expensive and labeling is complex, while virtual data may not accurately reflect actual human physiology. To address these issues and obtain high-fidelity data for training intelligent driving monitoring systems, we have constructed a hybrid dataset that combines real driving image data with corresponding virtual data generated from 3D driving scenarios. We have also taken into account individual anthropometric measures and driving postures. Our approach not only greatly enriches the dataset by using virtual data to augment the sample size, but it also saves the need for extensive annotation efforts. Besides, we can enhance the authenticity of the virtual data by applying ergonomics techniques based on RAMSIS, which is crucial in dataset construction.

Gesture control has been increasingly applied to automotive industry to reduce the distraction caused by in-vehicle interactions to the primary task of driving. The aim of this study is to find out if gestures can reasonably be used to control in-car devices. Since there exists a big cultural difference of gesture between different countries because of its particularity, a set of gestures which support intuitive human-machine interaction in an automotive environment is searched. The results show a gesture dictionary for a variety of on-board functions, which conforms to Chinese drivers’ driving habits. Furthermore, this paper also describes a driving simulator test to evaluate the usability of gesture from different aspects including the effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, memorability and security. Static driving simulator is considered as an excellent environment for the in-car secondary task as its high safety level, repeatability and reliability.

The backlash between engaging components in a driveline is unavoidable, especially when the gear runs freely and collides with the backlash, the impact torque generated increases the vibration amplitude. The power-split hybrid electric vehicle generates output torque only from the traction motor during the launching process. The nonlinear backlash can greatly influence the driveability of the driveline due to the rapid response of the traction motor and the lack of the traditional clutches and torsional shock absorbers in the powertrain. This paper focuses on the launch vibration of the power-split hybrid electric vehicle, establishes a nonlinear driveline model considering gear backlash, including an engine, two motors, a Ravigneaux planetary gear set, a reducer, a differential, a backlash assembly, half shafts, and wheels.

BBW (Brake-by-wire) can increase the electric and hybrid vehicles performance and safety. This paper proposes a novel mechatronic booster system, which includes APS (active power source), PFE (pedal feel emulator), ECU (electronic control unit). The system is easily disturbed when the system parameters and the outside conditions change. The system performance is weakened. The cascade control technique can be used to solve the problem. This paper develops an adaptive cascade optimum control (ACOC) algorithm based on the novel mechatronic booster system. The system is divided into main loop and servo loop, both of them are closed-loop system. The servo-loop system can eliminate the disturbance which exists in the servo loop. So the robustness of the cascade control system is improved than which of the general closed-loop control system. Different control object is respectively chosen. The control-oriented mathematical model is designed.

The adhesion control is the basic technology of active safety for the four-wheel driven EV. In this paper, a novel adhesion control method based on fuzzy logic control is proposed. The control system can maximize the adhesion force without road condition information and vehicle speed signal. Also, the regulation torque to prevent wheel slip is smooth and the vehicle driving comfort is greatly improved. For implementation, only the rotating speed of the driving wheel and the motor driving torque signals are needed, while the derived information of the wheel acceleration and the skid status are used. The simulation and road test results have shown that the adhesion control method is effective for preventing slip and lock on the slippery road condition.

Real-time interaction between a driver and the simulator is problematic. In this study, the racing car driving simulator has been established, which is composed of the following functional components: Motion Controller, Simview, Scenario Editor, Application Programmer Interface (APIs) and Crash Simulation. With TCP/IP protocol, the Motion Controller receives driver's manipulation, road unevenness and crash situation of Simview, then generates motion streams that reflecting the current conditions, and sends them to Simview and to the hydraulic platform. Furthermore, by detecting and analyzing general vehicle two-dimensional impact, a kind of complete and applicable calculation method has been established, and complicated vehicle impacts can be analyzed accurately. This racecar driving simulator places a racing driver in a interactive environment, and provides the driver with high-fidelity motion, visual, auditory, and force feedback cues.

X-in-the-loop (XiL) framework is a validation concept for vehicle product development, which integrates different virtual and physical components to improve the development efficiency. In order to develop and validate an extended validation method based on XiL, Tongji University in Shanghai, China and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Karlsruhe, Germany co- performed a feasibility study about an X-in-the-distance-loop demonstration platform. The X-in-the-distance-loop demonstration platform includes a MATLAB/Simulink software platform and geographically distributed equipment (driver simulator, driving electric motor and dynamometer test stand), which are used to conduct bidirectional experiments to test communication of powertrain data between China and Germany.

BBW (Brake-by-wire) can increase the vehicle safety performance due to high control accuracy and fast response speed. As one solution of BBW, the novel Integrated-electro-hydraulic brake system (I-EHB) is proposed, which consists of electro-hydraulic booster and hydraulic pressure control unit. The electro-hydraulic booster is activated by an electric motor that driving linear motion mechanism to directly produce the master cylinder pressure. With electro-hydraulic booster as an actuator, the hydraulic pressure control problem is a key issue. Most literatures deal with the pressure control issue based on the feedback pressure signal measured by pressure sensor. As far as the authors are aware, none of the proposed techniques takes into account the pressure sensor unequipped BBW. In this paper, there is no pressure feedback signal, but there is only position feedback signal measured by position sensor for control law design.

Aiming at the test safety problems in the early stage of self-driving cars development, firstly the virtual vehicle on-board CAN data acquisition module of the present project was designed based on virtual LabVIEW. Then a wireless remote control system for the self-driving car was constructed, which integrated the built virtual vehicle on-board CAN data acquisition system, the remote real-time image monitoring module and the remote upper computer control module based on ZigBee wireless transmission. It can execute the environmental awareness training and continuous and complex motion manipulation testing of the vehicle without relying on the driver, which can solve the safety problems in the tests of initial development of self-driving cars. Finally, the four-wheel independent steering electric vehicle was used as the self-driving test vehicle, and the wireless remote control system was tested on the double lane change type path and S-type path.

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) which has advantages of starting fast, high energy density, high efficiency, lower operating temperature and little pollution is widely regarded as one of the most promising energy sources. The PEMFC system includes several subsystems such as air supply subsystem, hydrogen supply subsystem, thermal management subsystem, water management subsystem, energy management subsystem and so on. The Air supply subsystem has great influence on the performance and life of PEMFC stack. Whether oxygen supply in air supply subsystem is sufficient or not will affects reaction rate of fuel, the operating temperature and degradation of PEMFC stack and so on. To solve the issue of oxygen starvation in PEMFC stack, the control strategies for improving dynamic response and preventing air shortage of the PEMFC air supply subsystem are reviewed.

With the extension of intelligent vehicles from individual intelligence to group intelligence, intelligent vehicle platoons on intercity highways are important for saving transportation costs, improving transportation efficiency and road utilization, ensuring traffic safety, and utilizing local traffic intelligence [1]. However, there are several problems associated with vehicle platoons including complicated vehicle driving conditions in or between platoon columns, a high degree of mutual influence, dynamic optimization of the platoon, and difficulty in the cooperative control of lane change. Aiming at the dual-column intelligent vehicle platoon control (where “dual-column” refers to the vehicle platoon driving mode formed by multiple vehicles traveling in parallel on two adjacent lanes), a multi-agent model as well as a cooperative control method for lane change based on null space behavior (NSB) for unmanned platoon vehicles are established in this paper.

Based on the vector space decomposition (VSD) transformation, the phase currents of the asymmetric dual three phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (ADT-PMSM) can be mapped into three orthogonal subspaces, i.e., α-β subspace, x-y subspace and O1-O2 subspace. The mechanical energy conversion takes place in the α-β subspace, while in the x-y and O1-O2 subspaces only losses are produced. With neutral points being isolated, O1-O2 subspace can be omitted. So the vector control algorithm can control the α-β and x-y subspaces separately to realize the four dimensional current control. In the α-β subspace, deviation decoupling control method is employed to realize the mechanical energy conversion, which is robust to the motor parameters.

A brake pedal stroke simulator for Electro-hydraulic Braking System (EHBS) was developed to ensure the comfort braking pedal feel for the brake-by-wire system. An EHBS with an integrated master cylinder was proposed, and a composite brake pedal stroke simulator was designed for the EHBS, which was comprised of two inline springs and a third parallel one. A normally closed solenoid valve was used to connect the master cylinder booster chamber and the stroke simulator. The suitable brake pedal stroke was achieved by three stages of these springs' compression, whereas the solenoid valve was shutdown to enable mechanical control of the service brakes when electrical faults appeared.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system is expected to be the next generation vehicle powertrain. However, water management is still the main problem which directly affects the performance, reliability and durability in PEMFC system. To ensure the accurate water content estimation, High Frequency Resistance (HFR) is the most representative indicator in laboratory. The HFR is calculated by detecting the Alternating Current (AC) voltage response of fuel cell under the excitation of 1k Hz AC current. The voltage level of the AC excitation affects the measurement of HFR. Generally, 5mV AC excitation is used to measure HFR for the fuel cell with an output voltage between 0.6-1V. So, online HFR monitor is a big challenge for vehicle application, due to its low Signal/Noise Ratio (S/N), poor Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) environment, high common mode voltage and several hundred cells. In this work, an online fuel cell HFR monitor controller is developed.

With the strict requirements of harmful emission regulations, carbon peaking and neutralization goal, the internal combustion engine (ICE) industry is facing great challenges. Compared with pure ICE powertrain, hybrid powertrain has the advantages on fuel consumption and harmful emissions, which is more suitable for the market today. In series hybrid powertrain, because of the direct mechanical connection between ICE and motor, the motor can be used as an assistant in optimizing the performance of ICE. In order to realize the cycle-based or crank angle-based control of ICE, a high-frequency motor control system need to be built. Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) has the characteristics of high calculation frequency and high reliability to meet the demand. At the same time, the ICE control based on LabVIEW and FPGA has been realized.

For an electric vehicle driven by four in-wheel motors, the torque of each wheel can be controlled precisely and independently. A closed-loop control method of differential drive assisted steering (DDAS) has been proposed to improve vehicle steering properties based on those advantages. With consideration of acceleration requirement, a three dimensional characteristic curve that indicates the relation between torque and angle of the steering wheel at different vehicle speeds was designed as a basis of the control system. In order to deal with the saturation of motor's output torque under certain conditions, an anti-windup PI control algorithm was designed. Simulations and vehicle tests, including pivot steering test, lemniscate test and central steering test were carried out to verify the performance of the DDAS in steering portability and road feeling.

Durability performance prediction is a critical issue in fuel cell research. During the demonstration operation of fuel cell commercial vehicles in China, this issue has attracted more attention. In this article, the long short-term memory neural network (LSTMNN), which is an improved recurrent neural network (RNN), and the demonstration operation data are used to establish the prediction model to predict the durability performance of the fuel cell stack. Then, a model based on a back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is established to be a control group. The demonstration operation data is divided into training group and validation group. The former is used to train the prediction model, and the latter is used to verify the validity and accuracy of the prediction model. The outputs of the prediction model, as the durability performance evaluation indexes of the fuel cell, are the polarization curve (current-voltage curve) and the voltage decay curve (time-voltage curve).

The vehicular fuel cell stack is unavoidably impacted by the vibration in the real-world usage due to the road unevenness. However, effects of vibration on stacks have yet to be completely understood. In this work, the mechanical integrity and gas-tightness of the stack were investigated through a strengthen road vibration test with a duration of 200 h. The excitation signals applied in the vibration test were simulated by the acceleration of the stack, which were previously measured in a vehicle vibration test. The load signals of the vehicle vibration test were iterated through a road simulator from vehicle acceleration signals which were originally sampled in the proving ground. Frequency sweep test was conducted before and after the vibration test. During the vibration test, mechanical structure inspection and pressure maintaining test of the stack were conducted at regular intervals.

It is very important to investigate how road irregularity excitation will affect the durability, reliability, and performance degradation of fuel cell vehicle powertrain and its key components, including the electric motor, power control unit, power battery package and fuel cell engine system. There are very few published literatures in this research area. In this paper, an elementary but integrated experimental work is described, including the real road load sample on proving ground, road load reproduction on vibration test rig, total vehicle road simulation test and key components vibration tests. Remote parameter control technology is adopted to reproduce the real road load on road simulator and six-degree-of-freedom vibration table, which is used respectively for total vehicle and components vibration tests.