Description:
This paper presents a new algorithm for the control of a B-double truck–trailer with steerable trailer wheels and active hitch angles, designed to minimize both off-tracking and scuffing. Each trailer has six autonomously steered double wheels, although each double wheel is modelled by a centrally placed single wheel. Each hitch point, joining truck to first trailer and first trailer to second trailer, as well as a nominated point central to the axles of the second trailer, traverses the same path which is determined by an operator controlling the path curvature and truck speed. The algorithm approximates the ideal solution in which all wheels on each trailer have the same centre of curvature. The actively controlled hitch angles, satisfying the path-following constraints, provide a further level of cooperative redundancy of steering systems. Simulations are carried out to show the effects of changing curvature and front hitch speed on hitch path, wheel angles, and hitch angles as well as the accuracy of the algorithm. Further simulation is carried out to show the improvement in off-tracking of the new control system over current B-double fixed-wheel systems.
Description:
This paper presents a new algorithm for the control of a B-double truck–trailer with steerable trailer wheels and active hitch angles, designed to minimize both off-tracking and scuffing. Each trailer has six autonomously steered double wheels, although each double wheel is modelled by a centrally placed single wheel. Each hitch point, joining truck to first trailer and first trailer to second trailer, as well as a nominated point central to the axles of the second trailer, traverses the same path which is determined by an operator controlling the path curvature and truck speed. The algorithm approximates the ideal solution in which all wheels on each trailer have the same centre of curvature. The actively controlled hitch angles, satisfying the path-following constraints, provide a further level of cooperative redundancy of steering systems. Simulations are carried out to show the effects of changing curvature and front hitch speed on hitch path, wheel angles, and hitch angles as well as the accuracy of the algorithm. Further simulation is carried out to show the improvement in off-tracking of the new control system over current B-double fixed-wheel systems.
Description:
The authors have previously proposed a solution to the twin problems of wheel scuffing and off-tracking of B-double truck–trailer vehicles thereby reducing tyre wear and environmental damage as well as improving maneuverability. The solution to the scuffing problem requires that trailer axles in excess of one per trailer must have steerable wheels. However, if all trailer wheels are steerable, then the off-tracking problem can also be solved. The previous work devised an algorithm for a B-double in forward motion, whereby an on-board computer would be used to calculate the correct wheel and hitch angles and a control system would implement these angles. The purpose of the present technical note is to complete the study of a numerical algorithm for navigating a B-double truck–trailer vehicle by considering travel in the reverse direction. In this case the angle of the front wheels of the truck must also be controlled by the on-board computer. The algorithm for determining the effective angle of the truck’s steerable wheels is derived using an innovative combination of vector geometry and calculus and completes the total control system for these B-double vehicles. The paper concludes with a simulation study of the control algorithm demonstrating its versatility for reversing along twisting paths and effectiveness in reducing off-tracking.
Description:
The authors have previously proposed a solution to the twin problems of wheel scuffing and off-tracking of B-double truck–trailer vehicles thereby reducing tyre wear and environmental damage as well as improving maneuverability. The solution to the scuffing problem requires that trailer axles in excess of one per trailer must have steerable wheels. However, if all trailer wheels are steerable, then the off-tracking problem can also be solved. The previous work devised an algorithm for a B-double in forward motion, whereby an on-board computer would be used to calculate the correct wheel and hitch angles and a control system would implement these angles. The purpose of the present technical note is to complete the study of a numerical algorithm for navigating a B-double truck–trailer vehicle by considering travel in the reverse direction. In this case the angle of the front wheels of the truck must also be controlled by the on-board computer. The algorithm for determining the effective angle of the truck’s steerable wheels is derived using an innovative combination of vector geometry and calculus and completes the total control system for these B-double vehicles. The paper concludes with a simulation study of the control algorithm demonstrating its versatility for reversing along twisting paths and effectiveness in reducing off-tracking.
Description:
This paper presents a new algorithm for the control of a snake-like robot with passive joints and active wheels. Each segment has four autonomously driven and steered wheels. The algorithm approximates the ideal solution in which all wheels on a segment have the same centre of curvature with wheel speeds, providing cooperative redundancy. Each hitch point joining segments traverses the same path, which is determined by an operator, prescribing the path curvature and front hitch speed. The numerical algorithm developed in this paper is simulation tested against a previously derived analytical solution for a predetermined path. Further simulations are carried out to show the effects of changing curvature and front hitch speed on hitch path, wheel angles and wheel speeds for a one, two and three segment robot.
Description:
This paper presents a new algorithm for the control of a snake-like robot with passive joints and active wheels. Each segment has four autonomously driven and steered wheels. The algorithm approximates the ideal solution in which all wheels on a segment have the same centre of curvature with wheel speeds, providing cooperative redundancy. Each hitch point joining segments traverses the same path, which is determined by an operator, prescribing the path curvature and front hitch speed. The numerical algorithm developed in this paper is simulation tested against a previously derived analytical solution for a predetermined path. Further simulations are carried out to show the effects of changing curvature and front hitch speed on hitch path, wheel angles and wheel speeds for a one, two and three segment robot.
Description:
This paper presents two new algorithms for real-time calculation of the wheel angles and speeds of gantry tractor modules. In transport mode, the gantry tractor is, in a sense, a snakelike robot with passive joints and active wheels, with each module having autonomous four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. The algorithms determine the wheel angles and speeds of each module with the prescription that the four wheels will have the same center of curvature, wheel speeds provide cooperative redundancy, and all hitching points follow the same path, thereby eliminating scuffing and minimizing off-tracking. Details of the analytical algorithm for a predetermined path were presented at the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, together with a simulation for a single module. In this paper, we also present the results of a newly developed numerical algorithm which enables the gantry tractor to be steered online by an operator. We also show, by simulation, that this new numerical algorithm gives a good approximation to analytical solutions. The numerical algorithm is then used to calculate wheel angles and speeds for a three-module tractor with the results depicted graphically as functions of time.
Description:
A new method of automatically maneuvering a gantry tractor through right-angle turns, U-turns, and narrow gates is described in this paper. In order to maximize traction and maneuverability, both the wheel-angle steering effect and the drive-wheel-speed steering effect are integrated. This technique produces identical and cooperative redundant steering systems. The necessary wheel angles and drive wheel speed have been simulated. The advantage of cooperative redundancy is that when any steering system begins to fail, it is reinforced by the other steering system
Description:
This paper presents a new algorithm for online, real-time calculation of the wheel angles and speeds of gantry tractor modules. In dasiaworkingpsila mode the modules are latched together to form a rigid truss, whereas in dasiatransportpsila mode, the modules are unlatched so that they are only connected at their hitch points allowing the module to maneuver along curved paths.
Description:
In 1972 the orbital engine invented by Sarich (1970, 1973) was widely publicized in Australia. As a result of this publicity two mechanical engineering students at the Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education decided to make the orbital engine the subject matter of their final year project in 1973. Since publicity indicated that Sarich was concentrating his efforts on the development of a four-stroke orbital engine, the students (Joe Rosin and Robert Sincich) and the first author decided to concentrate their efforts on the design of an orbital two-stroke engine.
Description:
This paper presents the results of calculations of the wheel angles and the drive wheel speeds to ensure that the steering effect of the wheel angles and the steering effect of the speeds of the drive wheels are identical. These calculations are general insofar as the centre of curvature of the path of the centre of the vehicle can lie anywhere in the 'horizontal' plane, including within the plan view of the vehicle. These minimal turning circles at times require large wheel angles and large differences in the drive wheel speeds. When the driver selects a centre of curvature inside the rectangle defined by the wheelbase and the track, problems arise owing to the multiple solutions of the arctan function. This problem is solved so that flipping of the wheels through 180° is avoided. Similar problems can arise in the calculation of the correct wheel speed because of the ambiguity of the square root function, which has both positive and negative roots. This problem is also solved. Alternative driver interfaces are described in detail. Vehicles with cooperative redundant multiple steering systems promise safety benefits relative to vehicles with a single non-redundant steering system and environmental benefits relative to vehicles with conflicting redundant multiple steering systems. The safety benefits result from increased traction, stability and manoeuvrability (especially on hills). The environmental benefits include reduced ground damage, tyre wear and fuel wastage on turning. These vehicles would be used to best advantage as extreme off-road vehicles. The general case of vehicles described is capable of both pure rotation and pure translation in any direction, and all motion in between. This maximized manoeuvrability also makes the system ideal for vehicles operating in confined spaces, such as forklift trucks.
Description:
This paper presents the results of calculations of the wheel angles and the drive wheel speeds to ensure that the steering effect of the wheel angles and the steering effect of the speeds of the drive wheels are identical. These calculations are general insofar as the centre of curvature of the path of the centre of the vehicle can lie anywhere in the 'horizontal' plane, including within the plan view of the vehicle. These minimal turning circles at times require large wheel angles and large differences in the drive wheel speeds. When the driver selects a centre of curvature inside the rectangle defined by the wheelbase and the track, problems arise owing to the multiple solutions of the arctan function. This problem is solved so that flipping of the wheels through 180° is avoided. Similar problems can arise in the calculation of the correct wheel speed because of the ambiguity of the square root function, which has both positive and negative roots. This problem is also solved. Alternative driver interfaces are described in detail. Vehicles with cooperative redundant multiple steering systems promise safety benefits relative to vehicles with a single non-redundant steering system and environmental benefits relative to vehicles with conflicting redundant multiple steering systems. The safety benefits result from increased traction, stability and manoeuvrability (especially on hills). The environmental benefits include reduced ground damage, tyre wear and fuel wastage on turning. These vehicles would be used to best advantage as extreme off-road vehicles. The general case of vehicles described is capable of both pure rotation and pure translation in any direction, and all motion in between. This maximized manoeuvrability also makes the system ideal for vehicles operating in confined spaces, such as forklift trucks.