A New Powertrain Design Approach for Power-Split Hybrid Tracked Vehicles

Powertrain design for power-split hybrid vehicles using planetary gears has been widely researched. As proved, the total number of candidate designs is large due to the diversity of connection ways between devices and planetary gears. In this paper, a new powertrain design approach is developed and applied to power-split hybrid tracked vehicles. The three-step approach that uses constraint-based configuration selection, automated dynamic modeling, drivability screening and fuel economy screening can further reduce computation load and rapidly converge to superior designs. A case study is conducted to identify better designs compared with current designs for hybrid tracked dozers.