Fuzzy Yaw Rate and Sideslip Angle Direct Yaw Moment Control for Student Electric Racing Vehicle with Independent Motors

Abstract

In this paper, a new concurrent yaw rate, sideslip angle, and longitudinal-velocity direct yaw moment control (DYC) strategy is proposed to improve the handling and stability of a rear-wheel drive student electric racing vehicle (EV) equipped with two independent motors. In order to control these three parameters concurrently, three control schemes are developed: three fuzzy controllers, three optimized PID controllers, and two fuzzy controllers for the yaw rate and sideslip angle with a PID for longitudinal velocity. The EV dynamic behavior for the different control schemes is compared by using a nonlinear model of the EV. This model consists of three main parts: vehicle dynamics, wheel dynamics, and tire dynamics. Simulations under a circular-path driving scenario show that the proposed fuzzy controllers can effectively reduce the consumed energy by 10%, track the desired speed and path, and enhance the vehicle’s behavior and stability while maneuvering by decreasing both the yaw rate and sideslip angle deviation.