FEEDBACK CONTROL OF VEHICLE AERODYNAMICS

• US 20170088200A1
• Filed: 04/07/2016
• Published: 03/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Rhee, Jason S., Fahland, Jason D., Heil, Edward T., Tan, Hualin, Auden, Joshua R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,828,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/005 Front spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/02 by aerodynamic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a body having a front end facing oncoming ambient airflow. The system includes a vehicle control device for receiving operator input to command a target vehicle dynamic response. A vehicle subsystem adjusts an actual vehicle dynamic response to the operator input. The system also includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element and a mechanism for varying the element'"'"'s position to control movement of the airflow relative to the vehicle. At least one sensor detects the adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and communicates a feedback signal indicative of the detected vehicle dynamic response to a controller. The controller also determines a target position for the aerodynamic-aid element using the detected adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and regulates the aerodynamic-aid element to its target position via the mechanism to control the aerodynamics and achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for controlling aerodynamics of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow, the system comprising:

a vehicle control device configured to receive operator input for commanding a target dynamic response of the vehicle;

a vehicle subsystem configured to adjust an actual dynamic response of the vehicle to the operator input;

an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body;

a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body and thereby control a movement of the ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body;

at least one sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to detect the actual dynamic response of the vehicle adjusted by the vehicle subsystem; and

a controller programmed to regulate the mechanism and configured to;

receive a feedback signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle;

determine a target position for the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element using the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle; and

set the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element to the target position thereof via the mechanism to control the aerodynamics and achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is additionally configured to regulate the vehicle subsystem to facilitate the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle subsystem is one of an electronic limited-slip differential, an electric all-wheel-drive subsystem, a traction control subsystem, a stability control subsystem, an active rear steer subsystem, a ride-height control subsystem, a spring rate control subsystem, a damping control subsystem, and an anti-lock braking subsystem.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a road wheel, wherein the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle is yaw of the vehicle body, and wherein the at least one sensor is selected from:

a first sensor configured to detect a rotating speed of the road wheel and communicate the detected rotating speed of the road wheel to the controller;

a second sensor configured to detect a rate of the yaw of the vehicle body and communicate the detected yaw rate to the controller; and

a third sensor configured to detect a velocity of ambient airflow relative to the vehicle and communicate the detected velocity of the ambient airflow to the controller.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle control device is a steering wheel, and wherein the at least one sensor includes a fourth sensor configured to detect an angle of the steering wheel and communicate the detected angle of the steering wheel to the controller.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor includes the first sensor, second sensor, and the third sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to regulate the mechanism to achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle during vehicle cornering in response to the detected yaw rate and at least one of the detected rotating speed of the road wheel and velocity of the ambient airflow, to thereby vary a magnitude of an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body and control the detected yaw rate.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle includes a second vehicle body end opposite the first body end, and wherein the aerodynamic-aid element is positioned proximate one of the first body end and the second body end.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to vary the magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element on one of the first vehicle body end and the second vehicle body end via regulation of the mechanism.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow;

a vehicle control device configured to receive operator input for commanding a target dynamic response of the vehicle;

a vehicle subsystem configured to adjust an actual dynamic response of the vehicle to the operator input;

an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body;

a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body and thereby control a movement of the ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body;

at least one sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to detect the actual dynamic response of the vehicle adjusted by the vehicle subsystem; and

a controller programmed to regulate the mechanism and configured to;

receive a feedback signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle;

determine a target position for the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element using the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle; and

set the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element to the target position thereof via the mechanism to control the aerodynamics and achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the mechanism is configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body to thereby control a movement of the ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body wherein the controller is additionally configured to regulate the vehicle subsystem to facilitate the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle subsystem is one of an electronic limited-slip differential, an electric all-wheel-drive subsystem, a traction control subsystem, a stability control subsystem, an active rear steer subsystem, a ride-height control subsystem, a spring rate control subsystem, a damping control subsystem, and an anti-lock braking subsystem.

12. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes a road wheel, wherein the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle is yaw of the vehicle body, and wherein the at least one sensor is selected from:

a first sensor configured to detect a rotating speed of the road wheel and communicate the detected rotating speed of the road wheel to the controller;

a second sensor configured to detect a rate of the yaw of the vehicle body and communicate the detected yaw rate to the controller; and

a third sensor configured to detect a velocity of ambient airflow relative to the vehicle and communicate the detected velocity of the ambient airflow to the controller.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle control device is a steering wheel, and wherein the at least one sensor includes a fourth sensor configured to detect an angle of the steering wheel and communicate the detected angle of the steering wheel to the controller.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor includes the first sensor, second sensor, and the third sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to regulate the mechanism to achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle during vehicle cornering in response to the detected yaw rate and at least one of the detected rotating speed of the road wheel and velocity of the ambient airflow, to thereby vary a magnitude of an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body and control the detected yaw rate.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle includes a second vehicle body end opposite the first body end, and wherein the aerodynamic-aid element is positioned proximate one of the first body end and the second body end, and wherein the controller is configured to vary the magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element on one of the first vehicle body end and the second vehicle body end via regulation of the mechanism.

16. A method of controlling aerodynamics of a vehicle having a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow, the method comprising:

commanding, via operator input to a vehicle control device, a target dynamic response of the vehicle;

regulating, via the controller, a vehicle subsystem to adjust an actual dynamic response of the vehicle to the operator input and facilitate the target dynamic response of the vehicle;

detecting, via at least one sensor arranged on the vehicle, the actual dynamic response of the vehicle adjusted by the vehicle subsystem;

receiving, via the controller, a feedback signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle;

determining, via the controller, a target position for the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body using the detected adjusted actual dynamic response of the vehicle; and

regulating, via the controller, a mechanism to set the target position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element and thereby controlling a movement of the ambient airflow relative the vehicle body to achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle subsystem is one of an electronic limited slip differential, an electric all-wheel-drive subsystem, a traction control subsystem, a stability control subsystem, an active rear steer subsystem, a ride-height control subsystem, a spring rate control subsystem, a damping control subsystem, and an anti-lock braking subsystem.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle includes a road wheel, and wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor, further comprising:

detecting and communicating to the controller, via the second sensor, a rate of the yaw of the vehicle body;

detecting and communicating to the controller, via the first sensor, a rotating speed of the road wheel and/or, via the third sensor, a velocity of ambient airflow relative to the vehicle; and

regulating the mechanism to achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle during vehicle cornering in response to the detected yaw rate and at least one of the detected rotating speed of the road wheel and velocity of the ambient airflow, to thereby vary a magnitude of an aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle body and control the detected yaw rate.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle control device is a steering wheel, and wherein the at least one sensor includes a fourth sensor, further comprising detecting and communicating to the controller, via the fourth sensor, an angle of the steering wheel.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the vehicle includes a second vehicle body end opposite the first body end, and wherein the aerodynamic-aid element is positioned proximate one of the first body end and the second body end, and wherein said regulating the mechanism varies a magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce generated by the aerodynamic-aid element on one of the first vehicle body end and the second vehicle body end.