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Abstract Truck platooning comprises a number of trucks equipped with automated lateral and longitudinal vehicle control technology, which allows them to move in tight formation with short following distances. This study is an initial step toward developing an understanding of the occupant injury risks associated with the multiple sequential impacts between truck platoons and roadside safety barriers, regardless of whether the crash is associated with a malfunction of automated control or human operation. Full-scale crash impacts of a tractor-trailer platoon into a concrete bridge guardrail were simulated for a specific Test Level condition according to the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) standards. The model of the bridge barrier was developed based on its drawings, and material properties were assigned according to literature data.

Abstract A number of studies have shown that driving an unfamiliar vehicle has the potential to introduce additional risk, especially for novice drivers. However, such studies have generally used statistical methods based on analyzing crash and near-crash data from a range of driver groups, and therefore the evaluation has the potential to be subjective and limited. For a more objective perspective, this study suggests that it would be worthwhile to consider vehicle dynamic signals obtained from the Controller Area Network (CAN-Bus) and smartphones. This study, therefore, is focused on the effect of driver experience and vehicle familiarity for issues in driver modeling and distraction. Here, a group of 20 drivers participated in our experiment, with 13 of them having participated again after a one-year time lapse in order for analysis of their change in driving performance.

Abstract Lane changes are stressful maneuvers for drivers, particularly during high-speed traffic flows. However, modeling driver’s lane-changing decision and implementation process is challenging due to the complexity and uncertainty of driving behaviors. To address this issue, this article presents a personalized Lane-Changing Model (LCM) for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) based on deep learning method. The LCM contains three major computational components. Firstly, with abundant inputs of Root Residual Network (Root-ResNet), LCM is able to exploit more local information from the front view video data. Secondly, the LCM has an ability of learning the global spatial-temporal information via Temporal Modeling Blocks (TMBs). Finally, a two-layer Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network is used to learn video contextual features combined with lane boundary based distance features in lane change events.

Abstract Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been used in automobiles as well as airplanes. Because of its light weight and high strength, CFRP is a good choice for making vehicle bodies lighter, which would improve fuel economy. Conventional metal bodies provide a convenient body return for electric wiring and offer good shielding against electromagnetic fields. Although CFRP is a conductor, its conductivity is much lower than that of metals. Therefore, CFRP bodies are usually not useful for electric wiring. In thunderstorms, an automotive body is considered to be a Faraday cage that protects the vehicle’s occupants from the potential harms of lightning. Before CFRP becomes widely applied to automotive bodies, its electric and electromagnetic properties need to be investigated in order to determine whether it also works as a Faraday cage against lightning. In this article, CFRP and metal body vehicles were tested under artificial lightning.

Abstract In today’s competitive automobile market, driver comfort is at utmost importance and the bar is being raised continuously. Gear Shifting is a crucial customer touch point. Any issue or inconvenience caused while shifting gear can result into customer dissatisfaction and will impact the brand image. While there are continual efforts being taken by most of the car manufactures, “Double Bump” in gearshift has remained as a pain area and impact severely on the shift feel. This is more prominent in North-South (N-S) transmissions. In this paper ‘Double Bump’ is a focus area and a mathematical / analytical approach is demonstrated by analyzing ‘impacting parameters’ and establishing their co-relation with double bump. Additionally, the results are also verified with a simulation model.

Abstract The objective of this work is to develop an integrated HVAC-VEHICLE model for climate control studies. A published lumped parameter based HVAC model has been used as the framework for the HVAC modeling with some modifications to realize the climate control and to improve the robustness of the model. R134a (1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoroethane) has been used as the refrigerant fluid in this study. The stand-alone HVAC model has been compared qualitatively with the experimental works available in the literature. The experimental trends of the thermodynamic and performance related parameters of HVAC are reasonably well captured by the HVAC model. In particular, Coefficient of Performance (CoP) was found to decrease with increase in compressor speed and increase in ambient temperature but increase with increase in evaporator blower mass flow rate.

Abstract The mechanical efficiency of the current continuously variable transmission (CVT) suffers from high pump loss induced by a high-pressure system. A novel wedge mechanism is designed into the CVT clamp actuation system to generate the majority of clamp force mechanically. Therefore, the hydraulic system can operate at a low-pressure level most of the time, and the pump loss is greatly reduced to improve the CVT’s mechanical efficiency. Through dynamic analysis and design optimization, 90% of clamp force is contributed by the wedge mechanism and the rest of the 10% is generated by a conventional hydraulic system. The optimal design is validated through dynamic modeling using Siemens Virtual.Lab software by simulating the wedge clamp force generation, ratio change dynamics, and system response under tip-in conditions. After that, we built prototype components that target 70% of the clamp force contributed by the wedge mechanism and tested them on a transmission dynamometer.

Abstract During vehicle braking, friction forces generated on the vehicle tires and the vehicle resisting aerodynamic forces play a critical role that impact the vehicle’s longitudinal braking dynamics such as stopping distance and time. These forces are mainly the tires’ braking and rolling resisting forces, vehicle lift, and drag forces. The vehicle aerodynamic forces cannot be neglected due to their impact on the vehicle’s longitudinal dynamics, especially at high vehicle speeds. This article investigates the impact of the vehicle’s rear spoiler on both vehicle aerodynamic forces and longitudinal dynamic, such as stopping distance and time. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model using ANSYS-Fluent® is employed to precisely estimate the vehicle’s aerodynamic forces in the case of a vehicle without and with a rear spoiler.

Abstract To reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from mobile air conditioning (A/C) systems, “U.S. Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards” identified solar/thermal technologies such as solar control glazings, solar reflective paint, and active and passive cabin ventilation in an off-cycle credit menu. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers developed a sophisticated analysis process to calculate U.S. light-duty A/C fuel use that was used to assess the impact of these technologies, leveraging thermal and vehicle simulation analysis tools developed under previous U.S. Department of Energy projects. Representative U.S. light-duty driving behaviors and weighting factors including time-of-day of travel, trip duration, and time between trips were characterized and integrated into the analysis.

Abstract In this experimental and computational study a novel application of aerodynamic principles in altering the pressure recovery behavior of an automotive-type ground-effect diffuser was investigated as a means of enhancing downforce. The proposed way of augmenting diffuser downforce production is to induce in its pressure recovery action a second pressure drop and an accompanying pressure rise region close to the diffuser exit. To investigate this concept with a diffuser-equipped bluff body, an inverted wing was situated within the diffuser flow channel, close to the diffuser exit. The wing’s suction surface acts as a passive flow control device by increasing streamwise flow velocity and reducing static pressure near the diffuser exit. Therefore, a second-stage pressure recovery develops along the diffuser’s overall pressure recovery curve as the flow travels from the diffuser’s low pressure, high velocity inlet to its high pressure, low velocity exit.

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive investigation for the interaction between vehicle ride vibration control and braking control using two degrees of freedom (2DOF) quarter vehicle model. A typical limited bandwidth active suspension system with nonlinear spring and damping characteristics of practical hydraulic and pneumatic components is controlled to regulate both suspension and tire forces and therefore provide the optimum ride comfort and braking performance of an anti-lock brake system (ABS). In order to design a suitable controller for this nonlinear integrated system, various control techniques are followed including state feedback tuned using Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), state feedback tuned using Genetic Algorithm (GA), Proportional Integrated (PI) tuned genetically, and Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC). The ABS control system is designed to limit skid ratio below threshold of 15%.

Abstract In this article, compared with traditional Remote Parameter Control (RPC), the iterative process is improved based on linear transfer function (TF) estimation of the nonlinear dynamic system. In the improved RPC, the iteration coefficient is designed according to the convergence condition of the nonlinear iterative process, so that the convergence level, convergence speed, and iteration stability could be improved. The difference between the traditional and the improved RPC iterative process is discussed, the RPC iterative process of the nonlinear system is analyzed, and channel decoupling for Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) system based on eigen-decomposition of the system TF and linear TF estimation is introduced. It assumes that the eigenvector matrix of the system TF remains the same, and the linear TF in the iterative process is estimated and updated, which is used for iterative calculation.

Abstract Path tracking is an essential stage for vehicle safety control. It is more newsworthy than ever in the automotive context and especially for autonomous vehicle. The study proposes an optimal control method for path tracking problem in inverse vehicle handling dynamics. The proposed method generates an expected trajectory which guarantees minimum clearance to the prescribed path by identifying the optimal steering torque input. Based on this purpose, the path tracking problem, which is treated as an optimal control problem, is then solved by local collocation method and mesh refinement. Finally, a real vehicle test is executed to verify the rationality of the proposed model and methodology. The results show that using control variables as a mesh refinement function can capture the dramatic changes in state variables, and the efficiency improvement is more significant as the number of the grid points increases.

Abstract It is reasonable to use a two-phase heat transfer loop (TPL) in a thermal control system (TCS) of spacecraft with large heat dissipation. One of the key elements of TPL is a heat-controlled accumulator (HCA). The HCA represents a volume which is filled with vapor and liquid of a single working fluid without bellows. The pressure in a HCA is controlled by the heater. The heat and mass transfer processes in the HCA can proceed with a significant nonequilibrium. This has implications on the regulation of TPL. This article presents a mathematical model of nonequilibrium heat and mass transfer processes in an HCA for microgravity conditions. The model uses the equations of mass and energy conservation separately for the vapor and liquid phases. Interfacial heat and mass transfer is also taken into account. It proposes to use the convective component k for the level of nonequilibrium evaluation.

Abstract Improving the aerodynamics of heavy trucks is an important consideration in the strive for more energy-efficient vehicles. Cooling drag is one part of the total aerodynamic resistance acting on a vehicle, which arises as a consequence of air flowing through the grille area, the heat exchangers, and the irregular under-hood area. Today cooling packages of heavy trucks are dimensioned for a critical cooling case, typically when the vehicle is driving fully laden, at low speed up a steep hill. However, for long-haul trucks, mostly operating at highway speeds on mostly level roads, it may not be necessary to have all the cooling airflow from an open-grille configuration. It can therefore be desirable for fuel consumption purposes, to shut off the entire cooling airflow, or a portion of it, under certain driving conditions dictated by the cooling demands. In Europe, most trucks operating on the roads are of cab-over-engine type, as a consequence of the length legislations present.

Abstract Windshield deicing performance is a key metric for HVAC system development and optimization within the sphere of commercial vehicle design. The primary physical parameters that drive this metric are pressure drops in the HVAC ducting, flow rate of the air through the system, and the transient vent temperature rise affected by engine coolant warm-up. However, many design engineers also have to take underhood and instrument panel (IP) space constraints into consideration while trying to optimize a new HVAC system design. This study leverages historical deicing simulation methodologies in conjunction with modern computational horsepower so as to optimize the HVAC ductwork in the studied commercial truck at the beginning of the design phase. By iterating on a design in the computational domain under steady-state and transient flow and thermal conditions, a robust HVAC system design can be created even prior to the prototyping stage of development.

Abstract Commercial vehicles contribute to the majority of freight transportation in the United States. They are also significant fuel consumers, with over 23% of fuel used in transportation in the United States. The gas price volatility and increasingly stringent regulation on greenhouse-gas emissions have driven manufacturers to adopt new fuel-efficient technologies. Among others, an advanced transmission control strategy, which can provide tangible improvement with low incremental cost. In the commercial sector, individual drivers have little or no interest in vehicle fuel economy, contrary to fleet owners. Aggressive driving behavior can greatly increase the real-world vehicle fuel consumption. However, the effectiveness of transmission calibration to match the shift strategy to the driving characteristics is still a challenge.

Abstract In this article, a unique design for Hydro-Pneumatic Energy Harvesting Suspension HPEHS system is introduced. The design includes a hydraulic rectifier to maintain one-way flow direction in order to obtain maximum power generation from the vertical oscillation of the suspension system and achieve handling and comfort car drive. A mathematical model is presented to study the system dynamics and non-linear effects for HPEHS system. A simulation model is created by using Advanced Modeling Environment Simulations software (AMEsim) to analyze system performance. Furthermore, a co-simulation platform model is developed using Matlab-Simulink and AMEsim to optimize the PID controller parameters of the external variable load resistor applied on the generator by using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO).

Abstract This research developed methods for a virtual operator model (VOM) to learn the optimal control inputs for operation of a virtual excavator. Virtual design, used to model, simulate, and test new features, has often been limited by the fidelity of the virtual model of human operators. Human operator learns, over time, the capability, limits, and control characteristics of new vehicles to develop the best strategy to maximize the efficiency of operation. However, VOMs are developed with fixed strategies and for specific vehicle models (VMs) and require time-consuming re-tuning of the VOM for each new vehicle design. Thus, there typically is no capability to optimize strategies, taking account of variation in vehicle capabilities and limitations. A VOM learning capability was developed to optimize control inputs for the swing-to-pile task of a trenching operation. Different control strategies consisted of varied combinations of speed control, position control, and coast.

Abstract Vehicle rolling resistance and weight are two of the factors that affect fuel economy. The vehicle tire rolling resistance has a more significant influence than aerodynamics drags on fuel economy at lower vehicle speeds, particularly true for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Less vehicle weight reduces inertia loads, uphill grade resistance, and rolling resistance. The influence of weight on the fuel economy can be considerable particularly in light- to medium-duty truck classes because the weight makes up a larger portion of gross vehicle weight. This article presents an empirical investigation and a numerical analysis of the influences of rolling resistance and weight on the fuel economy of medium-duty trucks. The experimental tests include various tires and payloads applied on a total of 21vehicle configurations over three road profiles. These tests are used to assess the sensitivity of rolling resistance and weight to the vehicle fuel economy.