ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the results of parameter-study investigations into 4-wheeled vehicles with drivelines featuring active torque distribution (torque-vectoring) functionality. The generic vehicle is modelled at code-level using Matlab software and includes weight transfer plus a non-linear tyre model. The effect on power consumed by various vehicles when varying the front/back, and left/right torque distributions is presented, before demonstrating the magnitude of the potential power savings. Handling diagrams are also produced to illustrate the implications that an efficiency-driven torque vectoring strategy has on the vehicle handling. The results show that power consumption can be reduced as a result of effective torque-vectoring, but only noticeably at high speeds. Redistributing the front/back torque split yields the greatest power savings, while additional reductions can be achieved by distributing the left/right torque towards the outer pair of wheels. However, this can induce or exacerbate oversteer handling characteristics in a rear-heavy vehicle, and above a critical speed, it instead becomes efficient to favour the inner pair of wheels to prevent the need to counter-steer.
