Development of a new control strategy for a semi-active differential for a high performance vehicle

Although VDC systems usually operate on the engine torque and on brake pressures [Van Zanten, A.T., Erhardt, R. and Pfaff, G., 1995, VDC, The Vehicle Dynamics Control System of Bosch. SAE Technical Paper Series, no. 950759, Esmailzadeh, E., Goodarzi, A. and Vossoughi, G.R., 2003, Optimal yaw moment control law for improved vehicle handling. Mechatronics 13.] new automotive applications try to use semi-active or active differentials in order to optimize the torque distribution on the wheels for traction maximization, driving comfort, stability, and safety of the vehicle. The system presented in the article comes from the cooperation of Ferrari S.p.A. and Politecnico di Milano in the development of a new semi-active differential. In the article, a description of the vehicle dynamic control strategy, its development, and experimental results are presented.