Duty Cycle Based Fuel Consumption Calculation Using Simulation Methodology for Agricultural Tractor

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">This project was undertaken with an objective to develop methodology by formulating set of procedures that would help in achieving the end goal. Once methodology is established, it paves way to optimize the end results more effectively which results in reduced lead time during product development. Methodology can either be based on pure experimental investigations or by simulations. Combination of mathematical and empirical approach is inherently followed in simulations, which helps in reducing the testing time and overall cost.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Commercial vehicles (CV) have seen paradigm shift in the fuel consumption (FC) certification approaches, with an intention to align with 2016 Paris climate agreement. Use of simulation tool like VECTO for commercial vehicle FC certification has gained momentum in Europe. Overall experience gained in commercial vehicle FC simulation has motivated us to leverage the learnings for off-road applications like agricultural tractors. Tractors largely differ from CVs in terms of architecture, duty cycle & overall vehicle resistance. The overall tractive effort for tractors depends significantly on tire-soil & implement-soil interactions. This paper covers all the possible spectrum on the impact of FC through simulation.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">The work illustrated here, involves strenuous component level test for engine and complete driveline unit. To begin with, ploughing operation was selected for validation of simulation methodology. Duty cycle data acquired during ploughing comprises for engine operating zones, vehicle velocity, temperatures & instantaneous FC. Data recorded during these test activities along with tractor & implement specifications were used to build simulation model in AVL-VSM. All the effects of tire-soil interaction, plough design parameters & soil properties were studied and validation was established between testing and simulation FC.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">For the same velocity profile & plough design the simulation model can be further extended to predict FC for different soil properties.</div></div>