INTEGRATED CONTROLS OF LATERAL VEHICLE DYNAMICS

A study is presented dealing with the synergism coming from the integr ation of such controlled systems which designed for improving the dyna mic behaviour of road vehicles. A modified 1/4 car model is derived wh ich allows suspension, torque and steering control to be applied to a low order vehicle model. A number of investigations, based either on c omplex vehicle models or on ground tests, show that important synergis tic effects can be obtained from the integration of suspension, torque and steering controls. The straight running on irregular roads may ta ke advantage from the co-operation of active suspension and four-wheel -steering systems. The braking under mu-split conditions can be improv ed with a proper control of ABS and rear wheel steering. The driveabil ity of a car entering a curve with changing surface conditions could b e substantially enhanced thanks to the combined exploitation of ABS an d additional four wheel steering.