Title: A parallel design optimisation method for articulated heavy vehicles with active safety systems

Authors: Md. Manjurul Islam; Yuping He

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K4, Canada ' Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K4, Canada

Abstract: This paper presents a parallel design optimisation method for Articulated Heavy Vehicles (AHVs) with Active Safety Systems (ASSs). In previous studies, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) has been applied to the design synthesis of AHVs and the objective function evaluations are computationally expensive. From a design point of view, the most challenging task is to deal with the trade-off relationship between unstable motion modes at high speeds and manoeuvrability at low speeds. To tackle the problem, a parallel computation technique with a master-slave system is proposed for the design of AVHs with ASSs. Active Trailer Steering (ATS), Differential Braking (DB) and Anti-Roll (AR) sub-systems are combined in an integrated ASS. Considering the interaction between the mechanical trailer and ASS, the proposed design method simultaneously optimises the active design variables of the controllers and passive design variables of the trailers in a single design loop using the master-slave computing system. The proposed method provides an effective approach to the design synthesis of AHVs with ASSs using a parallel computation technique.

Keywords: modelling; simulation; master-slave systems; parallel computing; design synthesis; ASS; active safety systems; articulated heavy vehicles; design optimisation; active trailer steering; differential braking; anti-roll sub-systems; controller design; trailers; tractor-semi trailers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2013.056912

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2013 Vol.20 No.4, pp.327 - 341

Published online: 30 Oct 2013 *

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