Power flow and efficiency analyses of dual planetary coupling mechanism based on bond graph theory

Abstract

This paper concentrates on the power flow and transmission efficiency of a two-side motors driving transmission system used in tracked vehicle. Based on the theoretical analysis of tracked vehicle’s steering process, the theory of bond graph was applied in the efficiency analyses due to the properties of energy conservation and power fluxion. A bond graph model of dual planetary platoon power coupling mechanism was established. The kinematic and the dynamic characteristics of all components and the constraints between components were obtained with the constraint conditions of turning radius and speed. According to the criterion of power flow, the power flows of the transmission system were got under six different driving conditions. Based on the power flows, the transmission efficiency was obtained by the calculation method of planetary gear train’s meshing efficiency, which was proposed by this paper. The results show that by using the bond graph theory, we can get all the possible power flows of the transmission system and its corresponding transmission efficiency. This method is more systematic and universal than the traditional methods, especially suitable for complex multi-input and multi-output gear transmission system.