Stability Properties of Equilibrium Sets of Controlled Linear Mechanical Systems with Dry Friction

The dynamics of mechanical systems with dry friction elements, modeled by set-valued force laws, can be described by differential inclusions. The switching and set-valued nature of the friction force law is responsible for the hybrid character of such models. An equilibrium set of such a differential inclusion corresponds to a stationary mode for which the friction elements are sticking. The attractivity properties of the equilibrium set are of major importance for the overall dynamic behavior of this type of systems. Conditions for the attractivity of the equilibrium set of linear MDOF mechanical systems with multiple friction elements are presented. These results are obtained by application of a generalization of LaSalle’s principle for differential inclusions of Filippov-type. Besides passive systems, also systems with negative viscous damping are considered. For such systems, only local attractivity of the equilibrium set can be assured under certain conditions. Moreover, an estimate for the region of attraction is given for these cases. The results are illustrated by means of a 2DOF example. Moreover, the value of the attractivity results in the context of the control of mechanical systems with friction is illuminated.