Modeling a traction control for a Formula SAE vehicle

• Grant number: 22/06095-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation
• Principal Investigator: Maira Martins da Silva
• Grantee: Guilherme Yukio Takemoto
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Traction control is a system that makes it possible to extract the maximum available traction from the tires without skidding and wasting energy. Therefore, implementing this control is vital not only to guarantee the vehicle's safety but also to improve its performance considerably and, in the case of electric and hybrid vehicles, extend the battery charge. In this way, the development of this system is essential for the Formula SAE EESC USP-TUPÃ team. Therefore, the present project aims to compare and propose viable strategies for implementing traction control for a Formula SAE electric car. Two strategies proposed in the literature will be numerically implemented and compared. The first strategy uses two control actions: a feed-forward signal and a feedback signal, done through a PI controller. The slip rate is the signal to be used for calculating these actions. The second strategy derives the control actions based on the distributing loads on the tires. Both strategies have limitations. Thus, proposals based on modifications and concatenations of these strategies will be numerically investigated. For example, a sliding mode control will replace the PI control for robustness. From the numerical evaluations, the strategies' limitations and qualities will be assessed, as well as an instrumentation proposal for the most viable strategy.