Modelling of six-wheeled electric transmission terrain vehicle

Abstract: In vehicles with electric transmission and independent wheel stations, it is possible to have a possibility to control propulsion, steering and suspension individually for each wheel. This makes it possible to improve mobility, performance and driving safety. The long term goal of this work is to develop a methodt hat can evaluate and improve the mobility of such vehicles in terrain. This contribution concerns how a six wheeled electric transmission vehicle should be modelled to enable evaluation of the dynamic behaviour in different type of terrain. This is made by combining modelling of vehicle, transmission and tire-terrain behaviour. For wheeled vehicles an electric transmission with hub motors provides the ability to accurately control the torque on every wheel independently, giving a great ability to improve both mobility in terrain and vehicle behaviour on road. In this work the components of a diesel-electric powertrain for off-road vehicles are modelled and a control layout with the possibility to include functions for improved performance both while driving off- and on-road is proposed. To handle driving on soft ground, a tire/terrain model is needed. The model should include lateral deformation in order to be able to steer. A tire/terrain model is derived based on the ideas of Wong and Reece. The terrain characteristics are chosen to be described by parameters according to the Bekker model, since this data are widely available in literature. The developed tire/terrain model has been implemented together with a vehicle model. This terrain vehicle model is shown to be able to estimate sinkage, rolling resistance, traction force and steering characteristics, of a six wheeledterrain vehicle using electric transmission. To conclude, models of a six-wheeled vehicle with electric transmission and tire models both for soft and rigid ground have been developed. These models form a simulation platform, which makes it possible to evaluate control strategies for the electric transmission with the purpose to improve mobility.