Determination of impact of battery location on electric vehicle dynamics

This thesis investigates the impact of battery position on vehicle dynamics. With the increasing use of electric vehicles, the optimal position of the battery has become an important design consideration for manufacturers. The position of the battery can affect the center of gravity, weight distribution, and handling characteristics of the vehicle, ultimately influencing its overall performance and safety. To analyze this effect, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to determine the current state of research on battery position and vehicle dynamics. Subsequently, a series of simulations were performed to analyze the effect of battery position on vehicle maneuverability and stability using vehicle dynamics MATLAB numerical computation software. The software first calculates the center of gravity of the vehicle and the load on each tire. It then computes the mobility of each tire and the resultant centripetal force acting on the vehicle. If the resultant force exceeds the force preventing the vehicle from tipping over, the vehicle is considered unable to negotiate the turn based on the given inputs. After that, the maximum steering angle is calculated using the lowest mobility of all tires. This data also allows for the calculation of the maximum steering angle the vehicle can take for a given turn with its current speed. Using the code written through the MATLAB program, when inputs are processed, the program calculates the vehicle's center of gravity and its ability to take corners for different battery positions, vehicle weights, vehicle speeds, vehicle dimensions, turn angles, friction coefficients, and speeds. Then, five different graphs were plotted to calculate the maximum steering angle related to different battery positions, vehicle speeds, and vehicle heights. The results demonstrate that battery placement has a significant impact on the vehicle's mobility, stability, and overall performance. Vehicles with a lower center of gravity achieved by placing the battery towards the lower end exhibited better cornering capability and stability compared to those with a higher center of gravity. Additionally, it was determined that the distribution of battery weight on the vehicle affects its balance and cornering ability. The findings of this thesis provide valuable insights for vehicle designers and manufacturers to optimize the placement of batteries in electric vehicles, thereby improving the mobility, stability, and performance of vehicles.