Robust Sideslip Angle Estimation for Over-Actuated Electric Vehicles: A Linear Parameter Varying System Approach

A new estimation method for estimating the vehicle sideslip angle, mainly based on a linear parameter varying (LPV) model with independently estimated tire friction forces, is proposed for electric ground vehicles (EGVs) with four independent in-wheel motors. By utilizing the individual wheel dynamics, the longitudinal ground friction force is estimated from a PID observer based on a descriptor linear system approach. Moreover, the lateral ground friction force for each wheel is estimated through the friction ellipse relationship given the estimated longitudinal friction force, without relying on explicit tire models. Since the estimation errors of friction forces may bring parameter uncertainty for the LPV system, robust analysis with desired H-infinity performance is given for the observer design of the LPV modeling. This method is specially proposed for large tire slip angles and lateral friction forces. Simulation results for different maneuvers validate this novel sideslip angle estimation method.