Abstract
This study developed a mechatronics platform for a seven-mode vehicle-oriented powertrain system. The innovative “all-in-one” concept was used for flexibly arranging various power or energy sources to be combined for various hybrid powertrains. Hence, it significantly reduces the cost and human resources for evaluating new-type power systems or developed vehicle control strategies on the same experimental platform. In this study, three power sources were chosen for providing hybrid power. The first source is a 125 c.c. spark ignition (SI) engine, where a controllable throttle valve governs the output torque, while a fuel meter measures the consumed fuel. The second one is a 1.5kW hub motor, where a motor control unit (MCU) and a 48V lithium battery pack properly provide the required electric power. The third source is an air engine, where a 220V air compressor and other components provide the pneumatic power. For the experimental platform, a developed Matlab/Simulink package receives the measured signals and sends the control commands to actuators. Through the on/off state control of three controllable e-clutches, three single-source modes, three dual-source modes, and one three-source mode (3+3+1) can be conducted. A 1.1kW/24V magnetic powder brake emulates the road load. The results show that three dual-source modes and a three-source mode were successfully operated. The efficiencies, torques and speeds, mass flow rates, etc. have been measured and calculated. This platform is aimed for the research fields of green energies, advanced powertrains, and power flow management.
Highlights
The hybrid powertrain systems as well as the hybrid green energy sources are the main stream for advanced vehicles [1,2]
Where the efficiency of the hub motor system, denoted by η, is the output power P, divided by the input electric power P, (DC current I multiplied by the input DC voltage V )
The motor power decreases to 180W at the 100th mechanical output power of the hub motor rises to 371W and to 320W
Summary
The hybrid powertrain systems as well as the hybrid green energy sources are the main stream for advanced vehicles [1,2]. The innovative platform in this study is able to produce seven operation modes on a single platform: three single-source modes C1 (engine, air engine, electric motor), three dual-source modes C32 (engine/electric motor, electric motor/air engine, air engine /engine), and one three-source mode C33 (engine/electric motor/air engine) Through this platform, combined with the control system and mechatronics, various operation scenarios and hybridization of power sources, verification of vehicle control unit (VCU), and performance evaluation of hybrid powertrains can be conducted. The main contributions of the present study can be summarized, as follows: 1) mechanical designs of the power sources, energy providing systems, and the power engage/disengage devices were successfully integrated; 2) the system mechatronics and harness were constructed; 3) the Matlab/Simulink program for the mode switch and actuator control were completed; and, 4) the test results of engine/electric motor, electric motor/air engine, air engine /engine, and engine/air engine/electric motor were achieved by this research
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