Abstract: A tire testing assembly adapted to provide precise displacements and simulate slow rate conditions, the tire testing assembly including: a support structure adapted to be coupled to a tire under test; a ground plane adapted to contact the tire under test and simulate a ground or road surface; and a lateral translation mechanism movably coupled between the support structure and the tire under test and adapted to translate the tire under test laterally relative to the ground plane. The tire testing assembly also includes a steering frame pivotably coupled between the support structure and the tire under test and adapted to pivot the tire under test about a steer axis of rotation relative to the ground plane. The tire testing assembly further includes a longitudinal translation mechanism movably coupled between the support structure and the tire under test and adapted to translate the tire under test longitudinally relative to the ground plane.

Abstract: A tire testing assembly adapted to provide precise displacements and simulate slow rate conditions, the tire testing assembly including: a support structure adapted to be coupled to a tire under test; a ground plane adapted to contact the tire under test and simulate a ground or road surface; and a lateral translation mechanism movably coupled between the support structure and the tire under test and adapted to translate the tire under test laterally relative to the ground plane. The tire testing assembly also includes a steering frame pivotably coupled between the support structure and the tire under test and adapted to pivot the tire under test about a steer axis of rotation relative to the ground plane. The tire testing assembly further includes a longitudinal translation mechanism movably coupled between the support structure and the tire under test and adapted to translate the tire under test longitudinally relative to the ground plane.

Abstract: An assembly operable for measuring one of a force and a moment, comprising: a compliant flexure mechanism that is one of deflected and deformed under an applied load; a low resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively higher load; and a high resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively lower load; wherein the high resolution load sensor is one of a non-contact sensor that is disposed at a distance from the compliant flexure mechanism and a contact sensor that is not subject to damage by the relatively higher load. Optionally, the low resolution load sensor is disposed adjacent to a narrowed neck portion of the compliant flexure mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly operable for measuring one of a force and a moment, comprising: a compliant flexure mechanism that is one of deflected and deformed under an applied load; a low resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively higher load; and a high resolution load sensor coupled to the compliant flexure mechanism and operable for measuring one of the deflection and the deformation of the compliant flexure mechanism under a relatively lower load; wherein the high resolution load sensor is one of a non-contact sensor that is disposed at a distance from the compliant flexure mechanism and a contact sensor that is not subject to damage by the relatively higher load. Optionally, the low resolution load sensor is disposed adjacent to a narrowed neck portion of the compliant flexure mechanism.

Abstract: A fitness machine, including: a frame structure; a spanning bar rotatably coupled to the frame structure, wherein the spanning bar selectively rotates about a central axis; a gripping bar coupled to the spanning bar; and a retention mechanism coupled to the spanning bar; wherein, when a user grasps the gripping bar with his or her hands and puts his or her feet in the retention mechanism and the spanning bar is selectively rotated about the central axis, the user is also rotated about the central axis. Optionally, the spanning bar selectively rotates about the central axis by operation of an electric motor coupled to the spanning bar. Optionally, the spanning bar also selectively rotates about a secondary access that is offset from the central axis. Optionally, the gripping bar is translatable/rotatable with respect to the spanning bar. The spanning bar is disposed at an angle with respect to the frame structure such that a center of gravity of the user substantially coincides with the central axis.

Abstract: A manipulator assembly for moving and displacing a tire undergoing tire testing, including: a linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along a local vertical z-axis; a linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along a local lateral y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the local vertical z-axis; a rotary actuator for cambering the tire within a local coordinate system partially defined by the local vertical z-axis and the local lateral y-axis; and a linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along a global lateral y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the local vertical z-axis such that the local coordinate system is moved and displaced along the global lateral y-axis. Specifically, the linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along the global lateral y-axis moves and displaces an origin of the local coordinate system along the global lateral y-axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods, including: one of a simulated road surface and an actual road surface; a test tire physically contacting the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface; and a plurality of gears linking the test tire and the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface, such that the velocities of the test tire and the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface are linked and an associated slip ratio between the test tire and the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface is controlled. The simulated road surface includes one of a drum, a belt, a drive wheel, and a rail. The plurality of gears are varied in terms of gear ratio using a controller such that slip ratio is dynamically controlled and varied.

Abstract: A manipulator assembly for moving and displacing a tire undergoing tire testing, including: a linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along a local vertical z-axis; a linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along a local lateral y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the local vertical z-axis; a rotary actuator for cambering the tire within a local coordinate system partially defined by the local vertical z-axis and the local lateral y-axis; and a linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along a global lateral y-axis that is substantially perpendicular to the local vertical z-axis such that the local coordinate system is moved and displaced along the global lateral y-axis. Specifically, the linear actuator for moving and displacing the tire along the global lateral y-axis moves and displaces an origin of the local coordinate system along the global lateral y-axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire testing system, including: a first rail and a second rail; a carriage assembly coupled to the first rail and the second rail such that five degrees of freedom of motion of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained; a first bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the first rail such that at least lateral, pitch, and yaw motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained; and a second bogie assembly coupling the carriage assembly to the second rail such that at least vertical and roll motions of the carriage assembly are thereby constrained; wherein the carriage assembly translates in a direction that is tangential to the first rail. The tire testing system also includes a tire articulation system coupled to the carriage assembly, wherein the tire articulation system includes a dedicated actuator for each degree of freedom of motion of a test tire coupled thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods, including: one of a simulated road surface and an actual road surface; a test tire physically contacting the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface; and a plurality of gears linking the test tire and the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface, such that the velocities of the test tire and the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface are linked and an associated slip ratio between the test tire and the one of the simulated road surface and the actual road surface is controlled. The simulated road surface includes one of a drum, a belt, a drive wheel, and a rail. The plurality of gears are varied in terms of gear ratio using a controller such that slip ratio is dynamically controlled and varied.