Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and a control circuit for detecting and evaluating the conditions of vehicle movement dynamics for a motor vehicle by means of wheel force sensors, preferably tire sensors, which take the preadjusted air slot between at least one rotating encoder and at least one pick-up for measuring data into account as a standard for the transverse forces that act on the wheel or on the tire. In order to reduce the errors in the evaluation of wheel forces, especially of deformations of the wheel rim and/or the tire detected by means of tire sensors, the air-slot-dependent operating point of the output signal of the pick-up for measuring data or a signal-conditioning device is set irrespective of the preadjustment of the said point which was made during predetermined driving behavior.
Abstract:
A load transducer for measuring vertical and fore/aft forces on a rotatable vehicle wheel includes a rim adapter attachable to a wheel rim and a hub adapter attachable to a wheel hub. The rim adapter and the hub adapter are connected in a force transmission path. A plurality of beams extend between inner and outer ends of the hub adapter. At least one sensor is mounted on each beam for measuring force exerted on each beam. The sensor may be mounted on the inner and outer surfaces of each beam as well as on the opposed side walls of each beam. The sensors are interconnected in a bridge configuration for generating outputs corresponding to vertical force and fore/aft force exerted upon the wheel. The hub adapter may be formed as a unitary hub adapter and interior load transducer when constructed as a one-piece unitary body. Alternately, the hub adapter may be separate from an interior transducer body and coupled thereto for mounting on different wheel lug bolt configurations and wheel rim/hub dimensions.
Abstract:
A wheel-acting force measuring system for measuring for measuring force generated by a wheel having a road contacting surface is provided. The system includes an axle having a brake disk attachment portion and a spindle portion extending outwardly from the brake disk attachment portion to which the wheel is mounted, and a stress detecting sensor embedded in the spindle portion at a position between the brake disc attachment portion and a plane perpendicular to the road contacting surface of the wheel. In an embodiment there is further provided a brake caliper having a brake caliper angle defined by a caliper fixing axis and a wheel traveling direction, and the stress detecting sensor is mounted substantially at the brake caliper angle with respect to the wheel traveling direction and parallel to the caliper fixing axis.
Abstract:
A load cell body for measuring components of force and moment in plural direction includes an integral assembly having a rigid central hub and a rigid annular ring concentric with the central hub. At least three radial tubes extends radially along corresponding longitudinal axes from the central hub to the annular ring. Flexure members join the radial tubes to the annular ring. Each flexure member is compliant for displacement of each corresponding radial tube along the corresponding longitudinal axis. As a load cell, a strain sensor mounted on each radial tube measures strain therein.
Abstract:
A system and a method are disclosed for measuring the grip performance of a vehicle by interposing a load carrier member intermediate an upright and an axle. The load carrier member is configured as having a geometry for measurement of a magnitude and relative direction of the instantaneous load forces acting between the axle and the upright and includes a planetary bearing carrier received coaxially over the axle for linear movement therewith. The bearing carrier extends from an outboard first end to an inboard second end configured to define a force transmitting portion. A rotational bearing assembly is interposed between the bearing carrier and the axle providing for the rotation of the axle within the bearing carrier. A first linear bearing assembly is interposed between the upright and the bearing carrier providing for the linear movement of the bearing carrier relative to the upright. At least one force sensor is operably coupled to the force transmitting portion of the bearing carrier to be responsive to the linear movement thereof for providing load force output signals corresponding to the magnitude and relative direction of the load force vector. A magnitude and relative direction of at least one instantaneous load force vector acting on the load carrier member then is measured. Finally; the load force vector is resolved with respect to a relative plane into at least one load force component corresponding to an instantaneous grip force developed between the wheel and the ground surface.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a multi-axis wheel transducer are disclosed. The apparatus of the invention comprises a wheel transducer for measuring the loads and moments acting on a vehicle wheel. Tubular load cells positioned in a radial fashion around the perimeter of the transducer hub join the rim and hub. Loads and moments acting on the rim of the wheel are transferred through the spoke-like load cells to the hub of the wheel. Sensors strategically positioned around the circumference of the tubular load cell monitor the intensity of the loads and moments. To detect angular position of the wheel, a light source generates a cone of polarized light to flood the wheel of the vehicle and detector-polarizing filter pairs detect an angle of the polarization relative to the wheel to determine its angular position. The transducer hub computer processes the sensor data and transfers the information via infrared signal to a computer located in the fender of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A steel band is adapted to be clamped on vehicle brake shoes when the brake drum has been removed for the purpose of testing the operation of the brakes. One end of the steel band is clamped with a clamp in a holding member, and the other end of the steel band is connected to the holding member with a calibrated spring scale. If the band is clamped in place on the brake shoes, when the brakes operate, the force exerted by the shoes may be read on the scale.
Abstract:
A wheel component force detecting apparatus for detecting a component force on a wheel includes a cylindrical axle flange, an electric motor, and a wheel unit. The electric motor includes a stator and an armature. The wheel component force detecting apparatus includes a pair of sensing units each including a cylinder and a bridge circuit. The cylinder is mounted outside the circumferential surface of the axle flange and has a first end fixed to the axle flange and a second end fixed to the stator. The bridge circuit includes a plurality of strain gages disposed on the cylinder. The pair of sensing units is symmetrical in the axial direction of the axle flange with respect to the stator.
Abstract:
A load measurement method, for measuring the load applied to a rail from a wheel of a railcar, calculates the lateral force applied to the rail from each of the left and right wheels, on the basis of the axial force applied to an axle between the left and right wheels and the axial load applied to the axle bearing.