Search Results

Trucks with semi-trailers are widely used for transportation of goods due their low operation cost, but inherent to these vehicles are some problems such as a poor maneuverability. To minimize the effects of this disadvantage, among other solutions, the incorporation of steerable axles in the semi-trailers has been proposed. This paper presents a steering equation, and a fuzzy-logic controller for a semi-trailer automatic forced-steering system to minimize the off-tracking and the total swept path width, resulting in an improvement of vehicle's maneuverability at low speeds. To accomplish this, the suggested control algorithm considers the articulation angle, and parameters such as vehicle speed and direction. The system was tested on an instrumented experimental semi-trailer during various predetermined test maneuvers.

The tractor-trailer combination is one of the articulated vehicular configurations for road cargo transportation most widely used. Due to the length of these articulated vehicles and the coupling geometrical characteristics, they undergo poor maneuverability. In order to obtain a better understanding of the maneuverability, this paper deals with an experimental one-axle semi-trailer coupled to a light duty pick up truck being used to perform some low speed maneuvers. These test maneuvers include stationary and transient turns, as well as slalom type ones, performed while the semi-trailer axle is set directionally straight or steerable. During each maneuver condition, parameters as planar articulation angle, tractor and trailer yaw rates, and the correspondent steering angles were measured.