An investigation of energy efficiency of a wheel loader with automated manual transmission

• DOI: 10.1007/s12206-016-0602-y
• Publication Date: 2016-07-13T11:51:06Z
• Authors: Kwangseok Oh; Seungjae Yun; Kyungeun Ko; Panyoung Kim; Jaho Seo; Kyongsu Yi
• Keywords: 0209 industrial biotechnology; 02 engineering and technology; 7. Clean energy

This paper describes an investigation of energy efficiency by applying an advanced powertrain system in a conventional wheel loader. A conventional powertrain of a wheel loader consists of an engine, torque converter and transmission. A torque converter in a conventional system generally causes a significant amount of energy loss, as determined by analyzing energy flow based on V-pattern working. To prevent energy loss in a torque converter, Automated manual transmission (AMT) was proposed and modeled in this paper as an advanced powertrain. A wheel loader based on AMT does not need to use a torque converter since the single clutch system is used between the engine and transmission with subsystems of engine controller, clutch actuator and controller. A simplified single clutch system and controller were constructed for V-pattern working of a wheel loader. Additionally, a PI-controller was used as a control algorithm for engine speed control to prevent energy loss while the clutch is not engaged. All simulation models have been constructed in the Matlab/ Simulink environment, and simulation studies were conducted by using a simulation model of a wheel loader with a driver model based on V-pattern working. Simulation results of the AMT-based wheel loader were analyzed by comparison with the results of the torque converter-based wheel loader, and the results show that the AMT-based wheel loader is more energy efficient than the conventional wheel loader.