F2010C195
Toward eCorner: Energy Efficient Design of Mechatronic Suspension Systems
Volatile oil prices and increased environmental sensitivity together with political concerns have moved the attention of governments, automobile manufacturers and customers to alternative powertrains. From the actual point of view the most promising concepts for future passenger cars are based on the conversion of electrical into mechanical energy.
In-wheel motors are an interesting concept towards vehicle electrification that provides also high potentials to improve vehicle dynamics and handling. Nevertheless in-wheel motors increase the unsprung mass worsening vehicle comfort and safety. The optimization of these criteria is a challenging trade-off when designing a vehicle. This paper analyses potentials and limitations of new mechatronic suspension systems in order to assure appropriate levels of vehicle comfort and safety when using in-wheel motors. Aspects like subjective vibration perception, pitch and roll movements as well as normal wheel load variation are evaluated.
As a key role for electric vehicles, the energy consumption of the presented mechatronic systems is also analyzed and optimized. A low energy consumption results in an extended driving range for a given battery capacity. Furthermore mechatronic components have to be optimized regarding energy consumption to harmonize with the higher efficiency of the electric power train system compared to a conventional concept with an IC engine.
After presenting the trade-off between driving comfort and safety as well as the used vehicle model, the present paper focuses on the analysis and design of an integrated energy efficient control strategy of active suspension systems aiming a self-sustaining system. The designed control algorithm enhances the horizontal and vertical vehicle motions minimizing the energy consumption on predefined realistic driving cycles.
The results of this paper contribute to the further development of future vehicle concepts using in-wheel motors and energy efficient mechatronic suspension systems leading to a so called eCorner module.
This abstract is supplemented by a PDF, which can be viewed here.