Hybrid Traction Control System Utilizing an Engine Inertia Brake

This paper investigates a new concept for a Hybrid Traction Control System (HTCS) that offers a performance improvement over existing Traction Control Systems. This new concept makes use of synergy between an Engine Inertia Brake (EIB), a Sub-Throttle Mechanism and a Torque Sensitive Limited Slip Differential to improve the suppression of driven wheel slip. The HTCS was fully developed through simulation and ultimately its effectiveness was proven with an actual prototype. Instrumented vehicle tests were performed so that the performance of the HTCS could be compared to an OEM TCS which uses both engine torque management and wheel brake application.

The HTCS concept has further ramifications to the area of Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) as one of the fundamental building blocks of VDC is an effective TCS. With wheel slip minimized, directional stability is improved.