Sliding Mode Compensation, Estimation and Optimization Methods in Automotive Control Problems

In this paper, we provide a broad overview of a number of recent automotive applications in a tutorial fashion where several analytical design tools of the sliding mode control theory were primarily used. The design methods utilized are first discussed from a theoretical point of view in three main categories: online functional optimization, disturbance/state estimation and friction compensation. The first automotive control example reported in this paper is a traction control design which comprises the presented optimization and estimation methods as well as several singular perturbation arguments. A position tracking control problem of a throttle system having inherent coulomb friction and stiff position feedback is then discussed. A previous sliding mode position tracking control of a pneumatic throttle actuator for an internal combustion engine is also summarized.