2013 Volume 79 Issue 808 Pages 4721-4733
Electric-powered personal vehicles have been used as a convenient transportation device. A front-drive-type personal vehicle STAVi, that is easy for elderly but also disabled persons, to climb on from a bed has been focused on. However, front-drive-type personal vehicles are difficult to operate because their over-steering characteristic is strong owing to free casters. If the vehicle can be driven by an easy joy-stick operation, it will be a comfortable function for all users. In previous studies, we proposed a simple modeling error compensator which achieves a desired driving characteristics using a simple reference model, and the effectiveness was evaluated by simulations. In this paper, we propose a control system for STAVi using a modeling error compensator with a non-linear reference model to realize a comfortable under-steering characteristics. At first, the advantage of proposed controller is summarized. The STAVi's over-steering characteristic is modified to be under-steering one by proposed controller. As an experimental result, the additional assistance is necessary for a beginner. The phase-lead compensator for beginners is designed to adjust the maneuverability depending on the skill level. The maneuverability is evaluated by driving experiments on the slope.
Transactions of the Society of Mechanical Engineers
Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series A
Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series B
Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Series C
TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Series A
TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Series B