The aim of the project described in this paper is to control the behavior and trajectory of a vehicle when different parameters - such as the lift and/or the aerodynamic parameters - change, i.e., increase or decrease. The problem is tackled, whatever the mode of propulsion of the vehicle ( combustion engine or electric motor and wheel transmission - or reactor ).
This paper describes one way of developing the architecture of such a system for the control of the functions of route guidance, of the changes in attitude which lead to a modification of the aerodynamic forces according to the speed variations and more generally the vehicle's dynamics. An active system based on torque and slip controls of each wheel allows the control of rolling. The wheel propulsion mode and freewheel mode are considered in a similar way. The function of attitude correction uses an active system controlling a hydraulic jack mounted in the suspension. The function of modification of the aerodynamic parameters (lift, drag and side forces) are based on an active system too, which controls additional jacks allowing the driver or pilot to carry out the dynamic configuration of the vehicle.
The overall architecture uses the concept of actuating systems and requires new developed sensors and actuators available at industrial costs. This project shows that a “multiple-active-system” approach is made possible by non-specific electronic and software functions and a hydraulic architecture controlled by appropriate actuators.