Active fuzzy control of a suspension vehicle on wet and dry roads

This paper presents a co-simulation of MATLAB and CarSim to control and model a vehicle suspension system under different road surface conditions, either wet or dry, using an active fuzzy controller in MATLAB. CarSim is a professional vehicle simulation software capable of modeling nonlinear car dynamics with various uncertainties. These uncertainties are addressed by the fuzzy set approach due to its qualitative and robust control capabilities, effectively handling noise, disturbances (such as road conditions), and unknown parameters in CarSim’s vehicle model. The design of an active steering controller and rotational torque system using a fuzzy controller is crucial for enhancing road safety, especially given the increasing number of vehicle crashes. The research methodology varies based on the study's purpose, nature, and implementation capabilities. Accordingly, this research focuses on designing an integrated controller for an active four-wheel-drive system and direct rotary torque control using a fuzzy control method in the MATLAB Simulink environment. This study is analytical and functional, utilizing CarSim for simulation. A fuzzy logic-based integrated control system was designed for steady-state control to improve vehicle stability and steering. The controller adjusts the steering angle and torque to regulate the vehicle’s angular velocity and slip angle under various conditions. As tire performance changes during different maneuvers, the controller dynamically adapts its output to maintain optimal operation within the effective performance range. The significance of using fuzzy logic lies in its ability to handle non-linearity without requiring approximation, ensuring high accuracy. Additionally, it delivers excellent results in enhancing vehicle stability. The findings indicate that the controller significantly improves the vehicle’s dynamic behavior across different driving maneuvers compared to an uncontrolled vehicle.