Nonlinear control of roll moment distribution to influence vehicle yaw characteristics

AbsfraclThe influence of specifying a roll moment distribution to effect the handling dynamics of automobiles has long been appreciated by conventional automotive designers. With the advent of active suspension systems, it is now possible to actively vary the roll moment distribution via feedback control. Nonlinear vehicle dynamics are developed to describe the effect of roll moment distribution. Controllers based on feedback linearization and intuition are developed and simulated. Based on favorable simulation results, the intuitive nonlinear controller was implemented on a passenger automobile and results of its performance are included.