The state sensitivity analysis of the front wheel steering vehicle: In the time domain

In this paper, a sensitivity analysis of a front wheel steering vehicle in the time domain is considered. For this study, a two degree-of-freedom bicycle model is used. This model displays the simplest lateral dynamic effect and is useful for understanding of the dynamic characteristics and control aspects of the target system. The side slip angle and yaw rate are selected as the system state variables. Vehicle mass, inertia, cornering stiffness, and wheel base are taken as design variables. Sensitivity analyses are performed by the direct differentiation method, which is an efficient tool for error control in numerical integration. This research proposes a basis for re-design and new-design of a vehicle by checking variations in the state variable with respect to changes in the design variable. Finally, dominant design variables are suggested through simulations.