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Electric car optimization finds the optimal control strategy for driving an electric car 100 meters in 10 seconds while minimizing energy consumption. The mathematical model uses ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to describe the car behavior. The manipulated variable is the voltage input to the motor, which can accelerate or recharge the battery with regenerative braking.

The manipulated variable `p(t)` is a dimensionless variable bounded between -1 and 1. It scales the battery voltage `V_{b}` to regulate the electric current `i(t)` in the motor:

• `p`=1 applies maximum positive voltage to accelerate the car.
• `p`=-1 enables regenerative braking and recharging of the battery.

The optimal control strategy involves switching `p` strategically to minimize energy consumption while meeting constraints on position and current. This often results in a "bang-bang" control pattern, using full throttle and full braking as needed to achieve the objective efficiently.

$$ \begin{array}{llcl} \min_{p} & e(T) \\ \mbox{s.t.} & \frac{di}{dt} &=& \frac{w V_{b} - R_m i - K_m \omega}{L_m} \\ & \frac{d\omega}{dt} &=& \frac{K_r^2}{M r^2} \left( K_m i - \frac{r}{K_r} \left( M g K_f + 0.5 \rho S C_x \omega^2 \frac{r^2}{K_r^2} \right) \right) \\ & \frac{dx}{dt} &=& \frac{\omega r}{K_r} \\ & \frac{de}{dt} &=& w i V_{b} + R_b i^2 \\ & x(T) &=& 100 \\ & -150 &\leq& i(t) \leq 150 \\ & -1 &\leq& w(t) \leq 1 \end{array} $$

Parameters

The electric car model has several physical and design parameters.

• `R_b = 0.05` Ω (Battery Resistance): Internal resistance of the battery with heat energy loss during current flow.
• `V_b = 150` V (Battery Voltage): The maximum supply voltage available from the battery to the motor, influencing the potential acceleration and braking forces.
• `R_m = 0.03` Ω (Motor Resistance): The resistance within the electric motor that contributes to power losses and affects motor efficiency.
• `K_m = 0.27` Nm/A (Motor Torque Constant): Defines the relationship between the current supplied to the motor and the resulting torque generated, critical for propulsion.
• `L_m = 0.05` H (Motor Inductance): The inductance of the motor's rotor, which influences the dynamic response of the motor to changes in current.
• `r = 0.33` m (Wheel Radius): Determines the linear speed of the car from the angular velocity of the wheel and impacts the torque required for acceleration.
• `K_r = 10` (Reduction Coefficient): The gear reduction ratio that affects the torque multiplication and speed reduction between the motor and the wheel.
• `M = 250` kg (Mass of the Car): The total weight of the vehicle, which directly impacts the force required to accelerate or decelerate the car.
• `g = 9.81` m/s² (Gravity): The gravitational acceleration constant, used in calculating rolling resistance and potential energy.
• `K_f = 0.03` (Friction Coefficient): Represents the rolling resistance of the wheels on the road, contributing to the force opposing motion.
• `ρ = 1.293` kg/m³ (Air Density): The density of air, which is essential for calculating aerodynamic drag forces acting on the vehicle.
• `S = 2` m² (Frontal Area): The effective cross-sectional area of the car, used in the aerodynamic drag force calculations.
• `C_x = 0.4` (Aerodynamic Coefficient): The drag coefficient that quantifies the aerodynamic efficiency of the car shape, affecting resistance to motion at higher speeds.

Differential States

• `i(t)` is the electric current (A)
• `\omega(t)` is the angular velocity (rad/s)
• `x(t)` is the position of the car (m)
• `e(t)` is the consumed energy (kJ)

Manipulated Variable

• `p(t)` regulates the voltage from or to the battery

The initial simulation (non-optimal solution) is a pulse in the voltage:

• `p`=0 from 0-1 sec
• `p`=100/150 from 1-1.9 sec
• `p`=0 from 1.9-10 sec

Starting with this simulation model, minimize the total energy consumed while driving the electric car 100 meters in exactly 10 seconds. The manipulated variable `p` should be optimized to achieve this goal while adhering to critical constraints. Specifically, the electric current `i(t)` must remain between -150 and +150 A to avoid damaging the battery or overheating the electric cables. The control strategy should leverage acceleration, coasting, and regenerative braking efficiently. The final solution should ensure that the position reaches precisely 100 meters at the end of the simulation, with minimal energy consumption as the primary performance metric.

The Gekko Optimization Suite is a machine learning and optimization package in Python for mixed-integer and differential algebraic equations.

📄 Gekko Publication and References

The GEKKO package is available in Python with pip install gekko. There are additional example problems for equation solving, optimization, regression, dynamic simulation, model predictive control, and machine learning.