Title: Experimental analysis and control development for vehicle rollover prevention

Authors: Shawky Hegazy; Corina Sandu

Addresses: Automotive Engineering Dept., Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt ' Mechanical Engineering Dept., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA

Abstract: A theoretical study of the vehicle design parameters affecting the vehicle stability was investigated. The vehicle speed and the rate of change of the steering angle are the most significant parameters that affect the vehicle stability. An experimental test rig simulating the mechanical steering system was designed and constructed, and a control algorithm was developed. At a threshold value, a control signal was activated automatically to control the vehicle speed and lock the steering wheel in the critical direction. Accordingly, controlling the lateral acceleration may prevent the vehicle rollover at critical speeds and thus it may improve the vehicle stability.

Keywords: vehicle stability; vehicle rollover; active control; tyre modelling; rollover prevention; vehicle design; vehicle speed; steering wheel lock; lateral acceleration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2014.058501

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2014 Vol.64 No.2/3/4, pp.347 - 371

Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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