System for testing vehicle road dynamic, safety systems and calibration of the tester system

Abstract

An apparatus for testing the brakes, wheel alignment, suspension, transmission, and engine of motorized wheeled vehicles, includes means such as a dynamometer for self-calibration. A platform supports a road vehicle to be tested. Two or four pairs of short high-inertia rollers are revolvably supported adjacent to said platform, and positioned to individually support either the front wheels or the back wheels of the vehicle. The rollers are drivable by a stationary vehicle resting thereon, each pair of high-inertia rollers supporting one vehicle wheel. A floating roller contacts the wheel to detect side forces. Sensor means are connected to the rollers and data processing, display and recording means are connected to the sensors. Speed of the rollers is monitored by an encoder having a resolution of at least 1000 pulses/sec. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes electric motors which can be connected to drive the rollers.

1 . An apparatus for testing the brakes, wheel alignment, suspension, transmission, and engine of motorized wheeled vehicles, including means for calibrating said apparatus, comprising 
 a platform arranged to allow a heavy vehicle to be placed thereon;    at least two pairs of high-inertia rollers supported by said platform and positioned to support either the front wheels or the back wheels of said vehicle, said rollers being drivable by a stationary vehicle resting thereon, each pair of said high-inertia rollers supporting one wheel of said vehicle; and    sensor means connected to said rollers and data processing, display and recording means connected to said sensors.    
     
     
         2 . The testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further provided with flywheels connectable to the shafts of said high-inertia rollers.  
     
     
         3 . The testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said high-inertia rollers are connectable to at least one electric motor allowing said rollers to drive the vehicle wheels resting thereon.  
     
     
         4 . The testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least two pairs of high-inertia rollers are at least 400 mm diameter  
     
     
         5 . The testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said high-inertia rollers are connected to a sensor producing more than 1000 pulses per revolution.  
     
     
         6 . The testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further provided with a floating roller positioned between said inertia rollers and above the center thereof and being connected to means urging said floating roller upwards into contact with a vehicle wheel thereabove.  
     
     
         7 . The testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said floating roller is suspended to allow limited axial movement in response to side forces acting thereon when in contact with the revolving wheel of a vehicle, a positioning sensor being provided to measure said axial movement.