Electrohydraulic Power Switching Control for Mechatronics–Electrohydraulic Power Coupling Electric Vehicles Considering Optimal Speed Thresholds

Abstract

Switching between different working modes customarily brings sudden changes in torque and speed, leading to energy wastage for mechatronics‐electro‐hydraulic power coupling electric vehicles. Investigating the effect of vehicle speed thresholds on operating mode switching when working in concert with compound energy sources is timely. Thus, under the constraint of a known reference path, the optimal threshold is determined by weighing the path tracking accuracy and economic performance with the vehicle speed and the accumulator pressure as control variables. Wherein the constraint relationship between the factors is fully elucidated by combining various typical and actual road conditions. The validation results indicate a positive correlation between the starting acceleration capacity and the threshold value for a certain accumulator volume. The optimal speed thresholds under new European driving cycle, China light‐duty vehicle test cycle‐passenger, and actual routes are 4.1, 3.81, and 3.66 m s−1, with state of charge consumption rates of 6.30%, 8.56%, and 4.25%, respectively. More frequent speed switching may lead to excessive hydraulic power wastage, thereby increasing dependence on electrical power. Appropriate threshold setting can effectively enhance path tracking accuracy and hydraulic utilization under unpredictable road conditions. This research may in the future provide theoretical support for the rational control and interconstraint mechanism of energy utilization in hybrid vehicles.