Cornering performance of front and rear wheel independent drive type electric vehicles (FRID EVs) under severe road conditions

Running performance which the front and rear wheel independent drive type electric vehicles (FRID EVs) have was investigated, focusing on cornering characteristics under severe road conditions. In cornering, it is always necessary to secure lateral force for revolution on both sides of the front and rear wheels. Here, in order to meet this requirement, after obtaining lateral forces of the front and rear wheels which are needed for revolution using a friction circle, longitudinal forces of the front and rear wheels are controlled. The validly of the controlling method was evaluated through simulations using the double lane change running test method. It was confirmed that compared with the conventional front or rear wheel drive type EVs, FRID EVs could perform safe double lane changes without reducing vehicle speed under severe road conditions. Moreover, good cornering performance which the FRID EV has was experimentally verified through the slalom test using a prototype FRID EV.