Gear ratio and shift schedule optimization of wheel loader transmission for performance and energy efficiency

Abstract This paper presents gear ratio and shift schedule optimization strategies to improve energy efficiency for the dynamic simulation of a wheel loader equipped with dual clutch transmission (DCT) and automated manual transmission (AMT). A conventional wheel loader uses torque converter (T/C) based automotive transmission, and the torque converter causes heavy energy loss during the V-pattern working cycle. To improve fuel economy while maintaining working performance in the V-pattern working cycle, automated manual transmission (AMT) and dual clutch transmission (DCT) have been suggested to substitute the clutch for the torque converter. In addition, the optimization strategies for the gear ratio and shift schedule for AMT and DCT have been proposed for improving fuel economy. Gear ratios have been determined by a nonlinear optimization method based on the standard V-pattern working cycle which is obtained from experimental test data by a skilled driver. Then, the gear-shift schedule for clutch-type transmission has been derived by using a determined gear ratio and optimization strategy. Simulations have been conducted to investigate working performance and energy efficiency by using three developed wheel loader simulation models equipped with T/C, AMT, and DCT, respectively, with the driver model for the V-pattern working cycle. Simulation results show that AMT- and DCT-based wheel loaders are more fuel efficient for the V-pattern working cycle than the T/C-based wheel loader.

[1]  Matt C. Best,et al.  On-line PID tuning for engine idle-speed control using continuous action reinforcement learning automata , 2000 .

[2]  Pak Kin Wong,et al.  Engine idle-speed system modelling and control optimization using artificial intelligence , 2010 .

[3]  Jo Yung Wong,et al.  Theory of ground vehicles , 1978 .

[4]  Zhenyu Zhu,et al.  Experimental Study on Intelligent Gear-Shifting Control System of Construction Vehicle Based on Chaotic Neural Network , 2003 .

[5]  Zongxuan Sun,et al.  Challenges and opportunities in automotive transmission control , 2005, Proceedings of the 2005, American Control Conference, 2005..

[6]  Hong Jiang,et al.  Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Dual-Clutch Automated Lay-Shaft Transmission , 2005 .

[7]  Jeffrey C. Lagarias,et al.  Convergence Properties of the Nelder-Mead Simplex Method in Low Dimensions , 1998, SIAM J. Optim..

[8]  M D Worley,et al.  A simplified dynamic model for front-end loader design , 2008 .

[9]  Behrooz Mashadi,et al.  An automatic gear-shifting strategy for manual transmissions , 2007 .

[10]  Reno Filla,et al.  Dynamic Simulation of Construction Machinery: Towards an Operator Model , 2005, ArXiv.

[11]  Kwangseok Oh,et al.  Integrated wheel loader simulation model for improving performance and energy flow , 2015 .

[12]  Petter Krus,et al.  Comparative Study of Multiple Mode Power Split Transmissions for Wheel Loaders , 2011 .

[13]  Reno Filla.  Alternative system solutions for wheel loaders and other construction equipment , 2008 .

[14]  Yun Li,et al.  PID control system analysis, design, and technology , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology.

[15]  Hiroshi Yamaguchi,et al.  Automatic Transmission Shift Schedule Control Using Fuzzy Logic , 1993 .

[16]  Reno Filla.  An Event-driven Operator Model for Dynamic Simulation of Construction Machinery , 2005, ArXiv.

[17]  Kwangseok Oh,et al.  Development of Wheel Loader Dynamic Simulation Model , 2013 .

[18]  Mauro Velardocchia,et al.  Dynamic and kinematic model of a dual clutch transmission , 2011 .

[19]  Datong Qin,et al.  Shift schedule optimization for dual clutch transmissions , 2009, 2009 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference.

[20]  Zongde Fang,et al.  The Theory and Application Study on Optimal Fuel Economy Shift Schedule , 2008, 2008 International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Design.

[21]  A Casavola,et al.  Efficient gear shifting strategies for green driving policies , 2010, Proceedings of the 2010 American Control Conference.

[22]  Jaho Seo,et al.  Energy Flow Analysis of Working and Driving System of a Wheel Loader , 2014 .