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This paper proposes a new Electric Power Steering (EPS) control strategy that improves steering maneuverability especially on slippery roads. In a conventional steering system (including mechanical and hydraulic ones), poor steering wheel returnability associated with reduced alignment torque from the road may lead to awkward handling on slippery roads. In experiments with a test driver, we found that this phenomenon occurs because of the delay in the driver turning the steering wheel to avoid spinning the vehicle. This delay comes from a lower steering wheel returnability than driver expected. Increasing the steering wheel returnability will be effective in avoiding this problem. This can be realized by using the steering angle feedback or the estimated alignment torque feedback. However, the simple feedback of such values will provide drivers with poor road information when the road is slippery.

Accuracy of positioning with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) has been improved in recent years. Especially in Japan, high accuracy GNSS service, QZSS (Quasi Zenith Satellite System), will start in 2018 and the first QZS, “MICHIBIKI” has been already launched. They will broadcast correction data which enhances GNSS performance and realize cm-order positioning. In this paper, we, Mitsubishi Electric develop the estimation algorithm of vehicle position and attitude and also adapt the algorithm to a test vehicle which can trace automatically the calculated path with EPS (Electric Power Steering) and high accuracy GNSS. Although the GNSS receiver calculates the longitude and latitude of the vehicle every second, it is not enough to control vehicle dynamics smoothly. So we estimate vehicle position and attitude of the vehicle with GNSS and vehicle sensors in high frequency.

In recent years, the fuel consumption improvement of automobiles is indispensable due to the global move to reduce CO₂ emissions. Downsizing of engines by turbocharger obtains the output equal to a large engine, and improves the fuel consumption. However, turbocharger has the response delay called turbo lag. In order to improve a transient response, we developed a high-speed motor. The electric supercharger consists of high-speed motor and compressor, and drives compressor by high-speed motor instead of an exhaust gas turbine. By combining conventional turbocharger and electric supercharger, we developed two-stage turbocharger system. In this paper, we explained development of high-speed motor and inverter. And, as application example, we explained electric two-stage turbocharger system. The high-speed motor and inverter are connected without harness, and assembled in one single unit. The motor is driven at high efficiency by vector control.

Mitsubishi Electric has been developing a lane keeping assist system (LKAS). This system consists of our products such as an electric power steering (EPS), a camera, and an electronic control unit (ECU) for ADAS. In this system, the camera detects a lane marker, the ECU estimates reference path and vehicle position, and calculates reference steering wheel angle, and the EPS controls a steering wheel angle based on reference steering wheel angle. In this paper, we explain the calculation method of reference steering wheel angle for path tracking control. We derive a formula of reference steering wheel angle calculation that converges lateral position deviation in desired time by using lateral position deviation change rate control on forward gaze point as path tracking control algorithm. Since the formula is obtained from the vehicle model, we can easily design a controller depending on the vehicle type, by using known vehicle specifications.

Mitsubishi Electric has developed a concept car “EMIRAI 2 xEV” that features an electric vehicle (EV) powertrain for safe, comfortable, eco-friendly driving experiences in the future. The vehicle was exhibited during the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and the 2014 Automotive Engineering Exposition. The xEV is a four-wheel-drive EV with three motors: a water-cooled front motor and two air-cooled rear motors with integrated inverters. The rear wheels can be driven independently. The degrees of freedom of the actuation can realize improved maneuverability and safety. The vehicle is also equipped with an onboard charger with a built-in step down DC/DC converter, an EV control unit, a battery management unit, and electric power steering. All of the instruments are developed by Mitsubishi Electric. Motion control systems for the xEV have been developed based on our proprietary motor control technology.

This article discusses a vehicle stability improvement control method that utilizes an electric power steering system (EPS) with blushless motor. The purpose is to improve the vehicle stability by increasing the steering return torque in a region where the alignment torque is saturated due to the driver's excessive steering maneuver on a slippery road. In this study, a factor analysis was performed for the alignment torque on a slippery road and the basic control to improve the vehicle dynamics stability is studied by using a linear m1odel. Next, a new control algorithm was developed based on these studies. Finally, the new control algorithm was verified to be effective through an on-vehicle test. The proposed strategy can be realized only by adding a steering wheel angle sensor signal to a conventional EPS. That can be easily obtained from electronic stability control system.