Title: Electric Active Roll Control (EARC)

Authors: Ganesh Mohan; Jerome Dentzer; Francis Assadian

Addresses: Department of Automotive Engineering, School of Engineering, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK ' Department of Automotive Engineering, School of Engineering, Cranfield University, 33 rue J.J Henner, 68210 Bernwiller, France ' Automotive Mechatronics Centre, School of Engineering, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK

Abstract: Active Roll Control (ARC) systems have been developed to reduce the magnitude of sprung mass-roll angle when subject to cornering forces (lateral acceleration), hence improving vehicle dynamics and passenger comfort. This paper investigated the characteristics of two such ARC systems, Hydraulic Active Roll Control (HARC) and Electric Active Roll Control (EARC). The scope and objectives were identified as follows: 1) comparative analysis of the HARC and EARC systems, including investigating the frequency responses of each system as well as the impact on the fuel savings; 2) comparative analysis of the single-channel and dual-channel ARC systems, and the impact on vehicle handling, stability and manoeuvrability.

Keywords: ARC; active roll control; dual channel; electric actuators; body roll; hydraulic pumps; vehicle dynamics; yaw stability; sprung mass-roll angle; cornering forces; lateral acceleration; passenger comfort; fuel economy; frequency response; vehicle handling; vehicle stability; vehicle manoeuvrability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2012.050080

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2012 Vol.60 No.3/4, pp.179 - 193

Received: 01 Apr 2011
Accepted: 05 May 2011
Published online: 23 Apr 2013 *

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