Slow driving control of tracked vehicles with automated mechanical transmission based on fuzzy logic

In order to move tracked vehicles at an extremely slow speed with automated mechanical transmission (AMT), slow driving function was added in the original system. The principle and requirement of slow driving function were analyzed. Based on analysis of slow driving characteristic, identification of slow driving condition and fuzzy control algorithm, a control strategy of the clutch was designed. In order to realize slow driving, the clutch was controlled in a slipping mode as manual driving. The vehicle speed was increased to a required speed and kept in a small range by engaging or disengaging the clutch to the approximate half engagement point. Based on the control strategy, a control software was designed and tested on a tracked vehicle with AMT. The test results show that the control of the clutch with the slow driving function was smoother than that with original system and the vehicle speed was slower and steadier.