Optimal Mass and Geometric Parameters in Multi-Wheel Drive Trucks for Improved Transport and Fuel Efficiency

To develop better performing vehicles, for ground transportation, it is necessary to improve the theory in vehicle dynamics for choosing suitable mass and geometric parameters for highway as well as for off road trucks. A new approach is required for choosing such optimal mass and geometric parameters. The present paper is devoted to this problem. A new method for synthesis of mass and geometric parameters is introduced here. The method allows us to synthesize the parameters in such way as to provide a vehicle with the best transport efficiency under various road surface conditions. Constraints such as limitations on these parameters, vehicle running modes, mass and geometric parameters are included in the model. Furthermore other constraints for vehicle running abilities which are dependent on mass and geometric parameters, as well as an algorithm for synthesizing mass and geometric parameters are also included in the paper for pre-optimization process. The methodology is developed for a generic truck having m≥2 axles for the tractor and k≥2 axles for the semi-trailer including the optimization scheme for mass and geometric parameters to provide optimal traction and maximum force distribution among drive wheels for improved transport and fuel efficiency.