Improvement of Vehicle Maneuverability by Direct Yaw Moment Control

SUMMARY This paper deals with a study to theoretically formulate an effective method of improving vehicle performance, particularly, its characteristics in the nonlinear region, and to verify the feasibility of the proposed method by calculations and examinations. In order to analyze vehicle characteristics in the nonlinear region, a new method of analysis was developed for determining yaw moment and side force of the vehicle with a parameter of the side slip angle at the center of gravity when its center of gravity point was fixed. The study with this new method found that direct yaw moment control by proper distribution of traction and braking forces on the right and left tires could provide a very effective means of stabilizing vehicle characteristics, specifically for acceleration and deceleration, and enlarging the limit of vehicle maneuverability.