Robust control of automotive engine using active engine mount

Abstract

In this study, the effectiveness of an active engine mount in vibration suppression of a four-cylinder engine is evaluated. Two robust control algorithms, namely H2 and H∞ schemes, are employed to provide control input using accelerations of the engine body in the position of the mounts. In this regard, an accurate engine model is presented and the exciting active engine mount model is employed to design robust controllers. Derivation of equations of motion for an engine on the mounts is performed using Lagrange's and Newton–Euler equations. This derivation of equations has not been presented in any other study. In addition, unstructured uncertainties due to the unmodeled dynamics of the plant, actuator and sensors are considered. Using appropriate weighting functions, two robust control algorithms are designed. Robust stability and robust performance of the proposed controllers are evaluated using µ-analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed controllers, in the presence of sensor noise, in vibration suppression of the engine is evaluated. Results show that active mount with the designed robust controllers can improve the vibration behavior of the engine in the presence of sensor noise.