Legal, Safety and Practical Regenerative Braking Control Challenges

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe at a system-level, the development of combined regenerative and friction braking technology with emphasis on control strategies and system complexity. The subject of the study has resulted from prior and current involvement of the Control Theory and Applications Centre (CTAC) and MIRA in research and development activities related to control systems for hybrid/electric vehicles. Regenerative braking plays an unquestionable role in the economic success of hybrid/electric vehicles. Current developments in regenerative braking technology are focused on increasing the regenerative braking operating region beyond the limits of vehicle stability which requires sophisticated control strategies that are suitable for safe vehicle operation. For realisation of continual economic viability with further improvement of the technology, advancement should be focused not only on the development of control strategies but also on the minimum increase of vehicle complexity and thereby minimal additional final cost of the vehicle, that is, by utilisation of standard vehicle components (e.g. driveline components and four-channel anti-lock braking system).