Automated Control of Truck Drive Axle Performance Characteristics

Abstract

© 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The article suggests a method for providing an efficient operation of automated devices in a truck drive axle. An automated blocking of interaxial or inter-wheel differentials eliminates any chance of power circulation occurrence or additional loading of transmission units which makes part service lives longer. The information space of a drive axle control system is determined by external (environment, road) and internal (engine, drive) objects subject to influence each of which can be characterized by a finite number of factors. A drawback linked with a necessity of blocking manual control can be overcome if friction clutches are used as automated mechanisms. The authors present the results of their research of the truck drive axles’ operating condition under various conditions. Special emphasis is put on the operation of cars in wintertime. Maintaining the temperature of oil and drive axle parts within a rational range of values provides for an increase in the transmission unit operation efficiency. A possible option is to convert the heat energy of burnt gases into electric power with a subsequent electric power transmission and reverse conversion of such power into heat just in the section of a drive axle.