Energy Efficiency of Distributed-Drive Articulated Vehicle by Differential Steering

Differential steering mode of distributed-drive articulated vehicle is proposed by using the characteristics of independent in-wheel motor. The compound steering system of articulated vehicle is composed of fully hydraulic steering system and differential steering. Several differential steering modes of articulated vehicle are presented, and the differential steering dynamic model of articulated vehicle is built to investigate the relationship of yaw moment and turning radius. The differential steering control strategy of articulated vehicle is studied while maintaining the vehicle in the stability domain. The energy consumption of articulated vehicle with differential steering is calculated by simulating vehicle single shift lane steering process. The simulation results show that the articulated vehicle with differential steering can reduce the energy consumption of hydraulic steering system up to 3.8%. It indicates that the articulated vehicle with compound steering system can realize the energy efficiency by torque vectoring control of each in-wheel motor.