Development of an Optimal Power-Distribution-Management Algorithm for Four-Wheel-Drive Electric Vehicles

Abstract

In this paper, output power distribution algorithm is proposed for the front- and rear-motors through the power distribution system of four-wheel-drive (4WD) electric vehicles. Through the power distribution system, optimal control of the power distribution is obtained by applying a power distribution rate that increases battery range by improving the battery efficiency. Optimization of the power distribution according to the vehicle driving conditions reduces unnecessary power- loss and improves its driving energy efficiency through high-efficiency operation control to increase the range of the vehicle. Driving simulations are performed in a simulation environment developed using CarSim along with MATLAB/Simulink, and the performance of the proposed algorithm is verified. It was confirmed that with the proposed algorithm 4WD electric vehicles use less power based on the driving simulations and increased vehicle battery efficiency, depending on algorithm applicability.

Keywords

• Energy management system
• four-wheel-drive electric vehicle
• power distribution rate
• power-distribution-management optimization algorithm
• vehicle battery power optimization