Handling Dynamics of a Lightweight Solar-Electric Vehicle with Direct Yaw Moment Control

Electric vehicles are commercially becoming more popular due to their high efficiency and low emission capabilities. The electrification of the powertrain allows for more efficient layouts compared to conventional vehicles, such as the use of in-wheel motors. These motors present new opportunities when it comes to vehicle stability control as they can be driven and controlled individually. This paper investigates the vehicle handling dynamics of a lightweight solar-electric vehicle in comparison to a standard sized commercial vehicle with direct yaw moment control. The research is based on the Australian Technology Networks’ Bridgestone World Solar Challenge vehicle that will participate in the 2019 competition. The vehicle is rear wheel drive, with room for a driver and one passenger. To allow for space for the solar arrays the vehicle is considerably large compared to its weight. Conventional yaw controls commonly use yaw and/or sideslip as a control variable, this paper employs dynamic curvature as a control variable. The main goal to improve the yaw rate and sideslip as a result of improving the dynamic curvature variable was achieved. The dynamic properties and control response of the two vehicles are studied via co-simulation of Simcenter Amesim™ and MATLAB Simulink.