The paper presented here considers two different technical approaches for supporting the driver. It focuses human engineering aspects of controlling lateral vehicle dynamics. A direct control of the steering proces as realized by Active Rear-axle Kinematics (ARK) improves the ease and precision of vehicle handling in everyday driving and reduces driver's workload especially on long journeys. It provides the possibility of turning radius reduction, it increases the evasive potential by a faster generation of balanced side forces on front and rear axle, and enhances active safety in emergency steering maneuvers on wet and dry roads. In contrast the third generation of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC3) will Control (DSC3) will provide support in all safety critical situations under most operational conditions (free rolling, full and partial acceleration, full and partial braking, engine drag under different friction conditions) but no improvement in routine traffic noticable below the limit of adhesion. A major advantage with respect to the market acceptance is the comparably low cost increase mainly because of the possibility of multi-use of high volume Antilock Brake System and Automatic Stability Control (ABS/ASC) actuator equipment.
Abstract