500W Dual Drive Controller

A dual-drive controller is a controller or control system solution designed to manage two independent drive units, such as two motors or two drive shafts. It is commonly employed in scenarios requiring dual power outputs, notably in robotic chassis applications including automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), service robots, and inspection robots. Its core functionality lies in achieving power distribution and motion coordination through the independent or synchronised control of two motors.

The core of "dual drive" in robot chassis control is to achieve independent and precise control of the two drive units (such as the drive wheels on both sides), while ensuring that they are highly coordinated and synchronized to support complex control requirements such as differential steering, speed synchronization and torque distribution.

Dual Drive refers to a control system requiring independent, precise control of two drive units. These units may be:

1. Two separate motors (e.g., left and right drive motors or hub motors on an AGV).

2. A single motor driving two axles (via a mechanical differential or decoupling mechanism, yet still treated as two outputs for control purposes).

3. Two independent servo drive/inverter channels.

Parameter Table

Key Components and Functions

Components: Dual-drive controllers are typically integrated with motors (hub motors), drivers, encoders, battery packs, and sensors (e.g., collision detection, obstacle avoidance). The chassis controller acts as an intermediary, communicating with the host computer to manage motor drives and other devices (such as audible and visual alarms). In simpler designs, the driver may be controlled directly by the host computer.

Functionality: Supports position, velocity, and torque control modes; provides overload protection, fault diagnostics, and energy recovery; suitable for differential, tracked, or four-wheel drive chassis configurations. In a four-wheel drive chassis, dual-drive systems may employ synchronous belts to connect front and rear wheels, ensuring synchronisation.

The dual-drive controller's suitability for robotic chassis applications centres on complex, demanding industrial-grade environments with stringent reliability requirements. It adapts to the following environmental conditions, ensuring stable system operation under extreme challenges:

AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) indoor robots typically employ a dual-drive hub motor configuration, such as 6.5-inch encoder motors integrated into the chassis, enabling indoor navigation and logistics transport. This system comprises the chassis, motors, wheels, and encoders, with the dual-drive controller coordinating the rotational speed and steering of both drive wheels to support SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) navigation. The operational principle involves environmental perception via sensors (e.g., LiDAR), with the controller processing positioning, planning, and motion control: the perception module acquires surrounding object information, the positioning module determines the robot's location, the planning module generates paths, and the dual-drive controller executes differential or synchronous drive to achieve smooth movement.

Agricultural four-wheel steering and four-wheel drive robot chassis are equipped with four drive motors and steering, enabling autonomous operations such as sowing, bird deterrence, weeding, and transport. This chassis features four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, with the controller integrating wireless modules to support precision operations.

ROS (Robot Operating System) robots utilise a four-wheel, two-drive differential chassis supporting PID control and omnidirectional movement, suitable for unmanned vehicle development. The chassis comprises two active wheels (dual drive) and two passive wheels (e.g., castors), with the controller achieving closed-loop control through motor drive and sensors.

Differences Between Dual-Drive and Single-Drive Controllers

Dual-drive controllers and single-drive controllers represent two common types within motor control systems, primarily employed in robotic chassis applications. Their core distinctions lie in the number of motors driven, control methodologies, and operational performance. A single-drive controller governs only one motor, typically transmitting power through a transmission system; conversely, a dual-drive controller simultaneously controls two motors, enabling independent or coordinated drive modes to deliver greater power output and operational flexibility.