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An open-link locomotion module, comprising a driving wheel with an electric motor, a system of electro-hydraulic suspension, and an electro-hydraulic power steering system, is presented in this paper as the basis for the modular design of unmanned (robotic) ground vehicles. The open-link-type configuration allows the module to be functionally integrated and engineered with a system of similar modules and thus virtually allows to compile vehicles with any required number of driving wheels. The overall dimensions and carrying capacity of the tire used in the module, as well as technical characteristics of the suspension and power steering systems make possible to employ the module for commercial ground vehicle applications. This paper considers technical issues related to designing the locomotion module.

The article enumerates the main problems encountered in creating main traction-transport vehicle (TTV) units as mechatronic systems. The authors review the results of theoretical and experimental studies of creating TTVs - automobiles of the future based on mechatronic systems. The analysis of the results shows that TTV progress is only possible based on a broad introduction of mechatronic modules into vehicle designs. This significantly increases the role of electronics and control systems. The paper shows that TTVs with mechatronic systems cannot be unambiguously described mathematically based on the existing theory of applied mechanics. A theory describing the laws governing the functioning both of individual TTV systems with their interrelationships and of the object as a whole should be developed.

The aim of this paper is to present the main principles of building the traction electric drive (TED) of the wheels of a heavy-duty road commercial vehicle.A high importance is given to the complex nature of designing and summing up the practical experience of making particular designs of the traction electric drive; as well as to the involved terms and definitions. The design of the AC TED with asynchronous motors and an AC generator looks most promising and having the best price/quality ratio.

The modular designing principle is generally recognized in the automotive industry. However, the issue of building a wheel open-link locomotion module (OLLM) as a combination of steering (wheel turning), springing, traction drive and braking systems is not properly developed yet. An automated control system (ACS) is needed to able to unite and coordinate all the vehicle systems intended to manage the wheel. The automated control system intended to manage the steering and wheel springing parameters is a combination of an information and power channels, through which the wheel is electro-hydraulically driven, and the steering, springing and braking systems are controlled. The number of such channels in a wheeled mover of the vehicle or mobile robot is defined by the wheel type (driving, driven, steered or non-steered wheel). The plurality of such channels forms a complex of automated control systems of the wheeled mover.