Parameters collaborative optimization design and innovation verification approach for fuel cell distributed drive electric tractor

Abstract

Fuel cell distributed drive electric tractors (FCDET) are one of the necessary means to achieve truly green agriculture. However, low traction efficiency, poor control coordination, and excessive energy consumption are the main reasons hindering the industrialization of FCDET. This paper proposed a parametric collaborative optimization design method and innovative verification system that considers the drive system and energy system. Based on the tractor plowing operating conditions, a 7-DOF coupled dynamics model of the distributed drive system and a tire-soil interaction model were established, and the key component selection and parameter matching were completed. On the drive system optimization level, the front and rear wheelside transmission ratios are optimized based on a multi-island genetic algorithm (MIGA). On the energy system optimization level, the globally optimal power distribution ratio is found based on the dynamic programming algorithm (DP). A complete experimental prototype verification system is constructed based on the MATLAB/Simulink-NI PXI joint simulation platform, physical prototype test bench, and real vehicle multi-index test platform. The results show that the average efficiencies of the optimized drive and energy system are increased by 0.38 % and 3.82 %, the total energy consumption (total hydrogen consumption) is reduced by 25.40 % and 15.39 %, respectively. The maximum fault-free operating time is 5.5h, the average traction power is 21.07 kW, and the average traction force is 10610 N in the all-wheel drive mode. The experimental results fully demonstrate that the electric tractor with the fuel cell distributed drive system as the core can meet the verification of multiple indicators. This study can provide a new theoretical basis and technical verification method for the optimal design and system control of fuel cell distributed drive electric tractors.