IP Library Granted Patent US 8,966,987
Granted Patent B2
US 8,966,987 · App. 13/697,432 · Granted Mar 3, 2015

Road simulation test stand

Inventors: Alfred Clusserath (Rossdorf, DE); Manfred Backer (Kashofen, DE); Riccardo Moller (Darmstadt, DE)
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
G01M17/007
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,966,987
App. No.
13/697,432
Granted
Mar 3, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosed embodiments include a test stand ( 100 ) for the simulation of forces and moments introduced into a motor vehicle or into parts of a motor vehicle during driving operation. In order to allow a simulation of road journeys which is as realistic as possible, it being possible at the same time to dispense with vehicle-specific excitation or activation signals, there is provision, according to the invention, whereby the test stand ( 100 ) has at least one wheel contact plate ( 2 ) for receiving a vehicle wheel ( 1 ) and at least one first actuator ( 3 a, 3 b ) connected at one side to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ) and at the other side to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ), for moving the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) along a first axis (L 1 ), preferably along the vertical axis, relative to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ).

Claims (36)

1. A test stand ( 100 ) for the simulation of forces and moments introduced into a motor vehicle or into parts of a motor vehicle during driving operation, the test stand ( 100 ) having the following:

at least one wheel contact plate ( 2 ) for receiving a vehicle wheel ( 1 ); and

at least one first actuator ( 3 a , 3 b ), connected at one side to a foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ) and at the other side to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ), for moving the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) along a first axis (L 1 ), along the vertical axis, relative to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ),

the at least one first actuator ( 3 a , 3 b ) being connected to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) in such a way that the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) is rotatable about a first horizontally running tilting axis (K 1 );

the test stand ( 100 ) also having at least one second actuator ( 4 , 5 ), engaging on the wheel contact plate ( 2 ), for rotating the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) about the first horizontally running tilting axis (K 1 );

the at least one first actuator ( 3 a , 3 b ) being connected to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) via a joint arrangement ( 9 ) which allows a rotational movement of the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) relative to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ); and

the joint arrangement ( 9 ) having a third rotary joint ( 15 ) which allows a rotational movement of the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) about an axis of rotation (D) relative to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ), the axis of rotation (D) running obliquely with respect to the first tilting axis (K 1 ) and obliquely with respect to the second tilting axis (K 2 ).

2. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 ,

the joint arrangement ( 9 ) having a ball joint or a cardan joint.

3. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 ,

the test stand ( 100 ) having two second actuators ( 4 , 5 ) which are arranged on both sides of the first axis (L 1 ) and engage in each case on the wheel contact plate ( 2 ).

4. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 , the joint arrangement ( 9 ) having a first rotary joint which allows a rotational movement of the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) about the first horizontally running tilting axis (K 1 ) relative to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ).

5. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 4 , the joint arrangement ( 9 ) also having a second rotary joint which allows a rotational movement of the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) about the second horizontally running tilting axis (K 2 ) relative to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ).

6. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 ,

the test stand ( 100 ) also having at least one sensor for measuring a deflection of the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) along the first axis (L 1 ) and/or for measuring a rotational movement of the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) about the first and/or the second tilting axis (K 1 , K 2 ) and/or about the axis of rotation (D).

7. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 6 ,

the test stand ( 100 ) also having at least one controller which is designed to activate the appropriate actuators as a function of the deflection or rotational movement detected by the at least one sensor and as a function of predetermined or predeterminable setpoint values for the deflection or rotational movement.

8. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 , the test stand ( 100 ) also having

at least one third actuator ( 6 , 7 ), engaging on the wheel contact plate ( 2 ), for rotating the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) about a second horizontally running tilting axis (K 2 ), the second tilting axis (K 2 ) running obliquely with respect to the first tilting axis (K 1 ) and perpendicularly with respect to the first tilting axis (K 1 ).

9. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 8 ,

the test stand ( 100 ) having two third actuators ( 6 , 7 ) which are arranged on both sides of the first axis (L 1 ) and engage in each case on the wheel contact plate ( 2 ).

10. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 8 ,

the at least one second actuator ( 4 , 5 ) being connected to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) via a joint arrangement ( 8 ), via a cardan joint; and/or the at least one third actuator ( 6 , 7 ) being connected to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) via a joint arrangement ( 8 ′), via a cardan joint.

11. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 8 , the first actuator ( 3 a , 3 b ) having a hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically actuable piston ( 3 b ) which is moveable along the first axis (L 1 ) relative to the foundation ( 101 ) of the test stand ( 100 ), and the at least one third actuator ( 6 , 7 ) being connected on the one hand to the piston ( 3 b ) and on the other hand to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ).

12. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 11 ,

the test stand ( 100 ) also having at least one fourth actuator ( 16 , 17 ), engaging on the wheel contact plate ( 2 ), for rotating the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) about the axis of rotation (D), and

the at least one fourth actuator ( 16 , 17 ) being connected on the one hand to the piston ( 3 b ) and on the other hand to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ).

13. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 12 ,

the first actuator ( 3 a , 3 b ) and/or the second actuator ( 4 , 5 ) and/or the third actuator ( 6 , 7 ) and/or the fourth actuator ( 16 , 17 ) having in each case a double-acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

14. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 1 ,

the at least one wheel contact plate ( 2 ) having a reception dish for receiving the vehicle wheel ( 1 ).

15. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 14 ,

the reception dish having rolling bodies or balls, mounted rotatably on its base and/or side faces.

16. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 14 , the reception dish having a mechanical grid-type clamping system for displacing the base and/or side faces of the reception dish for the purpose of adapting the reception dish to tires of different diameter and of different width.

17. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 14 , the reception dish being connected releasably to the wheel contact plate ( 2 ).

18. The test stand ( 100 ) as claimed in claim 14 , the wheel contact plate ( 2 ) being designed as a reception dish.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2013
From: CLUSSERATH, ALFRED; BACKER, MANFRED; MOLLER, RICCARDO
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.; FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUND DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
Reel/Frame 029755/0933 →
Priority Claims (2)
EP 101 63 319 · May 19, 2010 · regional
DE 10 2010 034 850 · Aug 18, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130199284A1 · Aug 8, 2013