Sviluppo e sperimentazione di un sistema di ibridizzazione e del relativo sistema di controllo per veicoli convenzionali

Recently, the possibility of upgrading conventional vehicles to Hybrid Electric Vehicles is gaininginterest. Among the different options for hybridization, researchers are focusing on electrificationof rear wheels in front‐driven vehicles, transforming the vehicle in a Through‐The‐Road (TTR)parallel HEV.This thesis deals with the development of an automotive hybridization kit (equipment, along withassociated techniques and methodologies), aimed at converting conventional cars into hybridsolar vehicles (Mild‐Solar‐Hybrid). The main aspect of the projects consists into the integration ofstate‐of‐the‐art components (in‐wheel motors, photovoltaic panels, batteries), and into thedevelopment of an optimal controller for the power management.A prototype of the hybridizing equipment – patented by the University of Salerno (Italy)‐ isinstalled on a FIAT Grande Punto. A mild parallel hybrid structure is obtained bysubstituting/integrating the rear wheels with 7kW in‐wheel motors and adding a lithium battery tomanage on‐board energy. Thus, the vehicle can operate in electric mode (when ICE is switched offor disconnected by the front wheels) or in hybrid mode (when the ICE drives the front wheels andthe rear in‐wheel motors operate in traction mode or in generation mode, corresponding to apositive or negative torque). The battery can be recharged both by rear wheels, when operating ingeneration mode, and by photovoltaic panels.The vehicle is also equipped with an EOBD gate (On Board Diagnostics protocol), which allowsaccessing data such as pedal position, vehicle speed, engine speed, manifold pressure and othervariables. The Vehicle Management Unit (VMU), which is part of the invention and implementscontrol logics compatible with typical drive styles of conventional‐car users, receives the data fromOBD gate, from battery (SOC estimation) and drives in‐wheel motors by properly acting on theelectric node. In order to develop an effective and safe control strategy for wheel‐motors, aprecise real‐time knowledge of the Driver Intention is required. In particular, the detection of theactive gear is needed.The thesis, focused on the main aspects of prototype design and realization, also provides insightson control issues related to the integration of the above‐mentioned components, drivability andsafety. [edited by Author]