Development of a Variable Torque Distribution for Fully Electric and Hybrid Heavy-duty Trucks based on a Modular Simulation Methodology

The development of commercial vehicle technology is strongly influenced by the trends of new drives and automation. In order to develop new drive train concepts and associated operating strategies, a simulation methodology was created. It includes among others a high-level controller, the torque distributing operation strategy, various drive components, a modular vehicle dynamics model and tire models. The individual components of the methodology are structured in appropriate software tools and are linked by co-simulation methods. The modular structure of the methodology and the fixed parameter transfer allows the exchange, omission and targeted improvement of individual components. Thus, an operation strategy could be developed, which propels different vehicle concepts with optimized traction. It is based on the control allocation approach and includes besides an optimization algorithm also situation-specific weightings of different control objectives. The modular structure of the control approach allows it to be embedded in both central, integratied and decentralized, hirachical control structures. Furthermore, the control of wheel- and axle-selective drive trains as well as the control of fully electric and hybrid driveline concepts is possible with only a few modifications. The potential of the control approach as well as the methodology is demonstrated among others by the driving manoeuvre of a virtual 6 × 6 commercial vehicle with individual wheel drive in a μ low scenario.