Estimation of the potential in predictive control in a hybrid wheel loader

In this paper the potential of predictive control in a hybrid wheel loader is estimated using related research results as a basis. The application of hybrid technology to a wheel loader application is discussed and differences between on-road vehicles and wheel loaders are clarified. The main part of the related research has its focus on on-road vehicles where the usage patterns are more coherent to a greater extent than for a wheel loader. The challenge with the design of hybrid technology for a wheel loader lies in the large variety of applications, ranging from more or less standardized loading cycles to material handling and transportation of goods. It is stated that a wheel loader during transportation is close to a typical on-road application. A line of arguments is presented which conclude that it should be possible to reach up to around 10% fuel savings using predictive control in a real wheel loader in a real application. However, much work remains to be done, for example on cycle definitions, high-level and low-level predictive controllers, and signal analysis before this point is reached.