Core-group on Automotive R&D (CAR)

Automotive Consortium

Department of Science & Technology, TIFAC

Program

MEMS based Electronic Stability Control System for Automotive Applications

Consortium Partners

· IIT Kanpur

· IIT Bombay

· TATA Motors

· Mahindra & Mahindra

· Ashok Leyland

· TCS Bangalore

· Pricol Industries, Apna Technologies

Objectives

The objective of this program was to develop a MEMS sensor based control system that will enhance the stability of vehicles on Indian roads. The program comprised development of electro-mechanical systems for providing safety against problems situations like wheel-locking, traction instabilities, roll over, oversteer, understeer etc.

The components of the system were:

(i) An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) consisting of several sensors that measure the parameters of vehicle dynamics such as acceleration, roll, pitch and yaw.

(ii) Development of electro Hydraulic/ Pneumatic control system with the motor, pump, valves, accumulators, relays, drivers, ECU and associated hardware.

(iii) Wheel-Speed Sensor units, Throttle/Ignition Sensing and Control Units, Fuel Flow Measurement sensors, Steering Angle Sensing Unit, Brake/Accelerator Pedal Sensing Units, Tyre Pressure Sensing Units,

(iv) A suite of algorithms that constitute the control system that can take appropriate actions when a problem situation is detected.

This involved:

(i) Development and Selection of Sensors, Actuators and associated instrumentation systems

(ii) Modeling and Analysis of Vehicle Dynamics and Stability &Simulation of Control System Strategies.

(iii) Prototyping and testing of instrumentation systems on specimen vehicles

(iv) Testing of Vehicles for set of identified maneuvers for improvement in vehicle stability

Deliverables

The deliverables included specifications, simulation results, microcontroller codes, onboard diagnostic provision, bill of material & concept demonstration of the undermentioned systems with objective improvement in necessary performance parameters

(i) Anti-lock Brake Systems

(ii) Traction Control System

(iii) Electronic Stability System