Future field work tasks will require mountain tractors to pass through rough terrain with limited human supervision. The wheel–soil interaction plays a critical role in rugged terrain mobility. In this paper, an algorithm for the estimation of soil characteristic parameters based on the Simpson numerical integration method and Gauss–Newton iteration method is presented. These parameters can be used for passability prediction or in a traction control algorithm to improve tractor mobility and to plan safe operation paths for autonomous navigation systems. To verify the effectiveness of the solving algorithm, different initial values and soils were selected for simulation calculations of soil characteristic parameters such as internal friction angle, settlement index, and the joint parameter of soil cohesion modulus and friction modulus. The results show that the error was kept within 2%, and the calculation time did not exceed 0.84 s, demonstrating high robustness and real-time performance. To test the applicability of the algorithm model, further research was conducted using different wheel parameters of electric mountain tractors under wet clay conditions. The results show that these parameters also have high accuracy and stability with only a few iterations. Thus, the estimation algorithm can meet the requirements of quickly and accurately identifying soil characteristic parameters during tractor operation. A criterion for the passability of wheeled tractors through unknown terrain is proposed, utilizing identified soil parameters.

In order to improve the speed stability of tractors equipped with hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission (HMCVT) during field operations, the speed regulation characteristics, torque characteristics, and power diversion characteristics of HMCVT are analyzed. And a comprehensive control strategy for HMCVT output speed is proposed by analyzing the factors affecting the fluctuation of output speed, which combines engine speed control and displacement ratio control of hydraulic speed control system. This strategy adopts fuzzy control to regulate the engine speed to maintain the stability of engine operation. Moreover, adopting feed forward compensation control for speed compensation enhances the anti-interference ability of the hydraulic speed control system. And combined with model predictive control, adjust the swash plate swing angle of the variable pump to reduce the fluctuation of HMCVT output speed. By establishing joint simulation model, the effectiveness of the control strategy was verified using tractor acceleration mode and step load disturbance mode. The results show that the strategy can reduce the fluctuation rate of engine speed and impact degree, shorten the adjustment time, and improve the stability of tractor operating speed.

The fractional-slot, concentrated-winding, interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (FSCW IPMSM) has advantages, such as reducing motor copper consumption, improving flux-weakening capability, and motor fault tolerance, and has certain development potential in application fields such as electric vehicles. However, fractional-slot concentrated-winding motors often contain rich harmonic components due to their winding characteristics, leading to increased motor losses and back electromotive force harmonics, thereby affecting the efficiency and constant power speed regulation range of the motor. Based on this, this article first uses the winding function method to explore the inductance and saliency ratio of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor with different slot pole combinations in the fractional-slot concentrated- winding of electric vehicles. Secondly, this article will establish a 2D finite element parameterized model to analyze and compare the performance of fractional-slot concentrated-winding motors with different slot pole combinations, including air gap magnetic density, back electromotive force distortion rate, overload multiple, and torque. The structural parameters of the motor were optimized with the objective of minimizing the torque ripple under the constraint of minimizing the average torque reduction. The motor slot width, permanent magnet angle, and permanent magnet pole arc angle were analyzed and optimized. The simulation results showed that 12 slots and 8 poles were the optimal design schemes, providing a theoretical basis for the selection of slot pole coordination in the fractional-slot concentrated-winding interior permanent magnet synchronous motor for electric vehicles.

Interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) has advantages with high power density, wide speed range, small size, and high efficiency, and is widely used in the drive system of electric vehicles. Compared to other types of motors, permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) have some irreplaceable advantages, but there are also some disadvantages. As a type of PMSM, IPMSMs have problems with large fluctuations in permanent magnet (PM) magnetic field and demagnetization. At present, irreversible demagnetization of PMs is the most serious problem faced by IPMSMs. Once irreversible demagnetization of PMs occurs, it can cause a decrease in the performance of IPMSMs and can even damage the entire drive system. This paper takes an IPMSM with 48 slots, 8 poles, and 66 kW as the research object. Based on the reasons for PM demagnetization, a PM demagnetization model is established to obtain the demagnetization law of PMs. Firstly, the magnetic properties of PM materials were described based on their characteristic curves. The demagnetization mechanism of PMs was analyzed, and the demagnetization process of PMs was studied in combination with the reasons for demagnetization. Secondly, the basic parameters and torque performance of IPMSMs were calculated and analyzed. We analyzed the demagnetization curves of PM materials at different temperatures, calculated the operating points of PMs under various working conditions, and analyzed whether PMs undergo irreversible demagnetization based on the relationship between the operating points of PMs and the knee points of demagnetization curves. A high-fidelity electromagnetic–thermal coupling simulation model has been established, combined with the characteristics of electric vehicle driving conditions, to accurately characterize the temperature rise distribution and electromagnetic parameter changes of IPMSMs under different operating conditions and achieve multi-physics field collaborative analysis. Finally, a finite element model is adopted to simulate uniform and local demagnetization of PMs, and the changing characteristics of motor performance parameters under demagnetization are summarized. Different magnitudes of d-axis reverse current are applied as demagnetization excitation to analyze PM behaviors under various demagnetization degrees. The variations in magnetic flux density, output torque, and no-load back electromotive force (EMF) before and after demagnetization are simulated and analyzed. For the investigated motor and specific magnet grade, this work summarizes the irreversible demagnetization characteristics and corresponding practical judgment references.