Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a vehicle for inhibiting substances comprising detecting, using a movement detector, movement of a vehicle, collecting, using an air sampler, an initial air sample of air within a cabin of the vehicle, analyzing, using an inhibiting substance detector, the air sample to determine whether an inhibiting substance is detected in the air sample, in response to determining that an inhibiting substance is detected in the air sample, increasing the sampling rate of the air sampler, until a predetermined number of samples are collected that also have been analyzed and an inhibiting substance detected therein and sending an alert to an administrator of the vehicle indicating that inhibited driving is occurring.

Abstract: Differential and differential lock test device is capable of testing every kind of tractors on tractor assembly line. This device tests the performance and noise level of tractors' both differential and its lock.

Abstract: A hitch angle detection system is provided herein. Ultrasonic transducers are disposed on a rear vehicle structure and are configured to transmit ultrasonic waves in a rearward vehicle direction. An ultrasonic reflector is disposed on a trailer and is configured to reflect incident ultrasonic waves back toward the corresponding ultrasonic transducers. A processor is configured to derive distance measurements between the ultrasonic transducers and the ultrasonic reflector and determine a hitch angle based on the derived distance measurements.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a control system for reducing oversteer by controlling an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD). The eLSD has one or more clutches configured to selectively distribute a controlled and varied amount of drive torque between a pair of wheels during a turn. At least one controller is programmed to operate the eLSD in (i) a tow-mode in response to the vehicle towing an object and (ii) a non-tow-mode in response to the vehicle not towing an object. When operated in the tow-mode, the eLSD is controlled by the controller to actively reduce a difference in speed between the wheels compared to when the eLSD is operating in the non-tow-mode or is not operated in the tow-mode.

Abstract: There is proposed a test wheel arrangement (1) for testing a motor vehicle while the tires are stationary, which test wheel arrangement (1) has a shaft section (5) which can be attached to a wheel hub (7) of a motor vehicle and on which a test wheel (3) is mounted to be freely rotatable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a position of a surface on an aircraft. Image data for an image of the surface on the aircraft is received. The image data is processed to determine whether the position of the surface on the aircraft is a desired position. A surface position identification report comprising information identifying whether the position of the surface on the aircraft is the desired position is generated.

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 (3a, 3b) 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 (L1), preferably along the vertical axis, relative to the foundation (101) of the test stand (100).

Abstract: A procedure for measuring and adjusting an alignment of each axle of a trailer or semi-trailer while the trailer or semi-trailer is coupled to a tow vehicle by a hitch, tow bar, kingpin, or fifth wheel hitch. Measurements of the alignment of each axle of the trailer or semi-trailer are acquired from wheel-mounted sensor means utilizing either directly or indirectly a reference line of the trailer and an established reference point on the tow vehicle. A thrust angle of a first trailer or semi-trailer axle is referenced directly to the established reference line, while scrub angles associated with additional trailer or semi-trailer axles are referenced either directly or indirectly to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle, and indirectly to the established reference point. Any necessary adjustments are made to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle to bring the axle thrust angle to within a specification tolerance, and then to the scrub angle of each additional axle.

Abstract: In a vehicle test system, a displacement degree computing unit computes degrees of six-degree-of-freedom displacements of each of second motion bases, which correspond to external forces of respective six degrees of freedom detected by a corresponding one of six-axis force sensors, on an assumption that each of the second motion bases has a virtual mechanical impedance. A MB second target value generator generates final position and posture target values for each of the second motion bases based on the position and posture target values for each of the second motion bases and the degrees of six-degree-freedom displacements of each of the second motion bases.

Abstract: A method is presented for predicting a noise/comfort performance in a cabin of a vehicle with a body-shell and a suspension system linked to the body-shell by at least one point of attachment, with the vehicle rolling at a given speed on a rolling device with a macrorough rolling surface. The method includes: determining a global transfer function of the body-shell, determining a global admittance of the body-shell, determining an impedance of the suspension system, determining, while rolling on the macrorough rolling surface, lockup loads of the suspension system, and combining together the global transfer function of the body-shell, the global admittance of the body-shell, the impedance of the suspension system, and the lockup loads of the suspension system to obtain a prediction of noise/comfort performance (P) inside the cabin.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a leak in a gas precharged hydraulic accumulator having an initial gas charge entail activating a hydraulic pump to charge the gas precharged hydraulic accumulator and the hydraulic circuit associated with the gas precharged hydraulic accumulator when the hydraulic circuit and the hydraulic accumulator have a temperature that is substantially equivalent to an ambient temperature, e.g., on a cold start. The hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit is monitored, and when a step in the hydraulic pressure is detected, various quantities are measured and used to determine a volumetric efficiency of the pump for use in later calculations of remaining gas amount.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis sensor assembly comprising a housing member defining a sensor cartridge slot, a rotatable shaft with a magnet and retained in a sleeve, and a rotatable arm coupled to the shaft. A sensor cartridge is mounted in the slot through the interior of a connector socket and an opening between the slot and the connector socket. A plate on the sensor cartridge covers the opening. The sensor cartridge includes a terminal header and a separate board mounted to the terminal header. The board includes the sensor. Deformable posts on the terminal header and the sensor assembly extend through respective apertures in the board and the terminal header for securing the board and the sensor cartridge to the terminal header and the sensor assembly respectively.

Abstract: A device for dynamically exciting a component, in particular a chassis component of a motor vehicle has an actuator (10) with a piston rod (20) and an actuator housing (30). A connecting element (40) is coupled to the piston rod (20) of the actuator (10). A coupling (50) is coupled to the connecting element (40) for connection to the component. The connecting element (40) is coupled to the piston rod (20) in such a manner that the coupling is substantially moment-free.

Abstract: A system for detecting the operative condition of a latch for a door of a motor-vehicle, comprises a magnetic field generating element adapted to generate a magnetic field which is associated to the operative condition of latch; a support which defines a housing for magnetic field generating element; and a sensor magnetically coupled with magnetic field generating element and adapted to sense said magnetic field. The generating element is snap-fitted to said housing.

Abstract: A testing machine tests the durability of backer pads on the track shoe assembly and the surface of the road wheel. The test machine utilizes two eccentric drives to move a section of a road wheel to simulate actual vehicle conditions. A positioning system positions the track shoe assembly with respect to the road wheel to adjust the loading between the two components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the error monitoring of chassis components of rail vehicles, including at least one vibration sensor. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one vibration sensor is arranged on a bogie frame or on a wheel set bearing of an axis of a bogie of the rail vehicle such that the detection direction thereof has a component in the moving direction (x-direction) or a component perpendicular to the moving direction (y-direction) and at the same time a component parallel to the vertical axis (z-direction) of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A method for checking the referencing of at least two measuring heads of a contactless chassis measuring system includes: detecting at least one geometry detail of a vehicle using the measuring heads; determining an initial position of the geometry detail in the coordinate system associated with each measuring head; transforming the initial position into a shared coordinate system; executing a relative movement between the measuring heads and the vehicle; determining a final position of the at least one geometry detail in the coordinate system associated with each measuring head; transforming the final position of the geometry detail into the shared coordinate system; determining the movement vectors from the difference between the final position and the initial position of the at least one geometry detail; checking the movement vectors for coincidence.

Abstract: A ride height gauge includes a chassis engaging member biased relative to a base member via springs. Lowering an RC car chassis onto the chassis engaging member causes the chassis engaging member to lower until the car's wheels touch a support surface on either side of the base member. The chassis engaging member's lowered position is displayed on measurement columns that measure the height of the chassis engaging member from the support surface, which can be used to determine the ride height of the vehicle. The measurement columns at opposite ends of the vehicle allow the user to simultaneously measure the ride height at either end of the vehicle without repositioning of the vehicle.

Abstract: A test system and method includes a platform having a movable endless belt. A test article is disposed on the belt has wheel assemblies rotated by the endless belt. At least one strut has a first end coupled to the test article and a second end configured to engage the belt as it moves so as to transfer force between belt and the test article.

Abstract: In a running test, vehicle wheels are mounted on rollers. Each roller receives torque corresponding to the running resistance, which is a value corresponding to the running resistance applied to the vehicle on actual ground. The actual friction coefficient between the wheels and the rollers is calculated. The running resistance is corrected such that the actual friction coefficient becomes equal to the friction coefficient on actual ground that is calculated based on the slip ratio of the wheels with respect to the rollers. This approximates the running resistance applied to the vehicle by the rollers to the running resistance applied to the vehicle on actual ground as the torque is applied to the rollers in correspondence with the corrected running resistance. This prevents the drive force produced by the vehicle in the running test from becoming different than the drive force that is produced when running on actual ground.

Abstract: A method for the chassis measurement of a motor vehicle by a chassis measuring device, measuring in a contactless manner, having two measuring devices situated opposite to each other, includes the steps of positioning a first vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the first vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; the positioning of a second vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the second vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; and ascertaining the wheel position values of all the measured wheel rims by the chassis measuring device.

Abstract: Described herein is a mounting system with measurement of the weight of the occupant for a seat of a motor vehicle; the mounting system has a bottom frame rigidly connected to the bodywork of the motor vehicle, a top frame, which supports the seat and is mounted in a floating way on the bottom frame, and a plurality of weight sensors, each of which is set between the bottom frame and the top frame and is connected to the bottom frame or to the top frame by means of a single bolt integrated in the weight sensor itself and locked by a nut; a surface of the nut facing the weight sensor has a spherical shape, and set between the nut and the frame is a washer having a spherical central surface, which reproduces in negative form the shape of the corresponding spherical surface of the nut.

Abstract: A device and a method for reducing unwanted or undesireable excitations at a steering wheel include a sensor system with which unwanted excitation at a steering wheel and/or steering gear can be sensed. A closed-loop control unit is configured to generate an additional steering torque on the basis of the sensed unwanted excitation. A servomotor applies the additional steering torque to the steering gear.

Abstract: A shaft receiving section of a simulation wheel is attached to a hub of a vehicle such that the shaft receiving section is located outside the vehicle. A tire mounting section surrounding the shaft receiving section concentrically with the shaft receiving section with a bearing being interposed between the shaft receiving section and the tire mounting section and further surrounding the peripheral surface of the hub to allow a tire to be mounted at a portion surrounding the peripheral surface of the hub is provided. The tire is mounted on the tire mounting section. The shaft receiving section is made rotatable with the rotation of the tire mounting section being stopped. Load is applied to an axle from a dynamometer.

Abstract: A rubber cleat is instrumented with two triaxial accelerometers to measure the multi-directional response of the cleat due to the forces within the tire footprint of a ground vehicle. The cleat data is used to detect faults in the front and rear suspension in addition to the wheel tire despite variability in the data. This offboard diagnostic technique is proposed to enable condition-based maintenance.

Abstract: A method of verifying the strength of a vehicle in combination with auxiliary equipment fitted includes steps in which the vehicle chassis number or specification number are specified so that the vehicle specification and its parameters can be collected in a vehicle database, the parameters of the auxiliary equipment are specified, and a strength calculation for the vehicle is performed, based on the parameters of the vehicle and auxiliary equipment. In this way an assessment whether a reinforcement is needed when auxiliary equipment is fitted to a vehicle can be made.

Abstract: A method and a device for reducing vibrations during the shutdown or startup of an engine, in particular an internal combustion engine, in which the vibration behavior of the engine is determined at least during shutdown and/or startup, a control signal is applied to at least one engine mounting whose damping properties are settable via the control signal, and the control signal is calculated in such a way that a vibration behavior of the engine materializes according to a setpoint vibration behavior in which vibrations are introduced, for example into a passenger compartment, at a level which lies below a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle locking device locking a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer, equipped with rollers allowing driving wheels of the vehicle placed thereon, while keeping the driving wheels thereof placed on the rollers, was configured so as to detect angles of traction, to determine traction forces optimum for hauling the vehicle based on the detected angles, and to control the vehicle locking device based on thus-determined traction forces so as to take up a belt, aiming at readily and stably locking a test vehicle under optimum traction forces.

Abstract: An adjustable chassis dynamometer includes a fixed roller, an adjustable roller that moves with respect to the fixed roller, and at least one sensor that detects a rotational speed of the fixed or adjustable roller. A belt drive synchronizes rotation of the rollers. The belt drive includes a fixed pulley associated with the fixed roller, an adjustable pulley associated with the adjustable roller, and a tensioner pulley. A belt is provided with an inner surface and an outer surface, and surrounding the fixed, adjustable, and tensioner pulleys, such that each pulley engages the belt's inner surface. The belt drive further includes an idler pulley that moves with the adjustable pulley, is located outside of the belt, and engages the belt's outer surface.

Abstract: A method for crash testing a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method provides a crash test routine where an inflatable restraint is deployed using a single deployment pattern throughout at least one government regulation zone. This helps to prevent overlap of a transition zone and can help make the deployment of the inflatable restraint more predictable. This can increase occupant safety and simply testing.

Abstract: A method for checking the referencing of at least two measuring heads of a contactless chassis measuring system includes: detecting at least one geometry detail of a vehicle using the measuring heads; determining an initial position of the geometry detail in the coordinate system associated with each measuring head; transforming the initial position into a shared coordinate system; executing a relative movement between the measuring heads and the vehicle; determining a final position of the at least one geometry detail in the coordinate system associated with each measuring head; transforming the final position of the geometry detail into the shared coordinate system; determining the movement vectors from the difference between the final position and the initial position of the at least one geometry detail; checking the movement vectors for coincidence.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing flow noise of a motor vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a blast nozzle device having at least one blast nozzle, and a transport device. The blast nozzle device is designed for the targeted impingement of the outer skin of the motor vehicle by air flow, and the transport device is designed such that the blast nozzle device and the motor vehicle may be moved relative to one another. A microphone array is positioned in the interior of the motor vehicle and measures the flow noise in the interior of the motor vehicle. The microphone array is preferably a spherical array. The flow noise in the interior of the motor vehicle generated by the air flow is measured by use of the microphone array.

Abstract: A monocoque of a vehicle capable of detecting strain includes a housing and a plurality of stress-strain sensors installed in the housing for detecting the direction and amount of any strain applied to the housing to enable the housing to become a large strain-detecting unit. Strain data generated while the stress-strain sensors function can identify how much strain the monocoque takes, such that preferable status of the monocoque of the vehicle can be provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling a biaxial wheel test machine used for simulating loads experienced by a test wheel under actual driving conditions and for obtaining an accurate determination of wheel camber angle.

Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly including a plurality of rolling elements (5) interposed between an outer member (1) and an inner member (2), a sensor unit (21) is fitted to one of the outer member and the inner member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit includes a sensor mounting member (22) and a strain sensor (23) fitted to the sensor mounting member. The sensor mounting member has a plurality of contact fixing portions (22a, 22b) that are fixed to at least two locations spaced a distant from each other in a direction circumferentially of the outer member. A cutout (24) is provided in the outer member at respective positions corresponding to the neighboring contact fixing portions of the sensor mounting member, so as to extend in an axial direction. The strain sensor is arranged intermediate between the neighboring contact fixing portions.

Abstract: In a parking support device, a distance measuring unit measures a quantity equivalent to a distance from an automotive vehicle to an object existing in a predetermined direction. A storage unit stores a sequence of points indicating results of the measurement performed multiple times. A first object specifying unit generates first object information based on the sequence of points when a length of the sequence of points has exceeded a first reference length. A second object specifying unit generates second object information based on the sequence of points when a length of the sequence of points has exceeded a second, larger reference length. A target parking position is determined based on the first object information in a stage where the first object information is generated.

Abstract: A shaft receiving section of a simulation wheel is attached to a hub of a vehicle such that the shaft receiving section is located outside the vehicle. A tire mounting section surrounding the shaft receiving section concentrically with the shaft receiving section with a bearing being interposed between the shaft receiving section and the tire mounting section and further surrounding the peripheral surface of the hub to allow a tire to be mounted at a portion surrounding the peripheral surface of the hub is provided. The tire is mounted on the tire mounting section. The shaft receiving section is made rotatable with the rotation of the tire mounting section being stopped. Load is applied to an axle from a dynamometer.

Abstract: A wheel is provided for a test vehicle. The wheel has a rim and a hub, and whereby at least one force sensor is placed in the flux of force between the hub and the rim. A test stand is provided with the test vehicle that has multiple vehicle wheels and one or more of these vehicle wheels is embodied as a wheel with a force sensor placed between the hub and the rim. An appropriate procedure is provided for determining the aerodynamic characteristics of the test vehicle. Especially with a test stand equipped with a wide belt, the forces relevant to measurement of the drag coefficients can be reliably measured with the aid of the specific wheel with the force sensor. Use of overhead scales that have an undesired effect on the flow can be dispensed with.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the error monitoring of chassis components of rail vehicles, including at least one vibration sensor. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one vibration sensor is arranged on a bogie frame or on a wheel set bearing of an axis of a bogie of the rail vehicle such that the detection direction thereof has a component in the moving direction (x-direction) or a component perpendicular to the moving direction (y-direction) and at the same time a component parallel to the vertical axis (z-direction) of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A method for automatic vehicle testing, inspection and valuation for a manual front wheel drive vehicle. The method includes connecting a probe for the emission test to the exhaust pipe and connecting the rpm cable to the cigarette lighter before starting the test. The testing begins by driving in so that the front wheels of the vehicle enter the VCT rollers, running the vehicle to 60 km/h and then shifting to 3rd gear. The method also includes accelerating to maximum rpm before shifting to neutral and waiting until the vehicle speed drops back to 60 km/h and after 3 seconds applying the brakes to stop. Then the vehicle is advanced until the rear wheels engage the VCT rollers and after 3 seconds the rollers start rolling up to 90 km/h. The foot brake is pumped systematically until the speed drops to 20 km/h, and then the parking brake is operated to stop. The overall vehicle is evaluated relative to the model and year of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of venting a refrigerant from an air conditioning system of a vehicle during a crash to mitigate leakage of the refrigerant into a cabin of the vehicle by crashing a test vehicle under a first set of predetermined conditions a number of crash events and measuring deceleration and determining the existence of leakage. The number of crash events in which leakage existed is divided by the number of crash events to establish a probability of leakage ratio. The test vehicle is crashed under a second set of predetermined conditions to determine a second probability of leakage ratio. A probability of leakage relationship is established correlating the probability of leakage ratios and the predetermined conditions. A deceleration relationship is established correlating the deceleration measurements and the predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A method for the chassis measurement of a motor vehicle by a chassis measuring device, measuring in a contactless manner, having two measuring devices situated opposite to each other, includes the steps of positioning a first vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the first vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; the positioning of a second vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the second vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; and ascertaining the wheel position values of all the measured wheel rims by the chassis measuring device.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a towing vehicle adapted to be connected to a trailer at a hitch. The method includes sensing a plurality of vehicle conditions indicative of at least a movement of the towing vehicle, and an angle of the towing vehicle, determining a disturbance at the hitch based on data including at least the movement of the vehicle and the angle of the vehicle, and generating a compensation signal based on the determined disturbance at the hitch.

Abstract: This invention is related to a test system that performs power transfer member's life, fatigue and ageing tests such as 4×4 vehicles' transfer boxes that transfer movement to the front axis or gearboxes.

Abstract: A vehicle locking device locking a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer, equipped with rollers allowing driving wheels of the vehicle placed thereon, while keeping the driving wheels thereof placed on the rollers, was configured so as to detect angles of traction, to determine traction forces optimum for hauling the vehicle based on the detected angles, and to control the vehicle locking device based on thus-determined traction forces so as to take up a belt, aiming at readily and stably locking a test vehicle under optimum traction forces.

Abstract: In a wheel support bearing assembly including a plurality of rolling elements (5) interposed between an outer member (1) and an inner member (2), a sensor unit (21) is fitted to one of the outer member and the inner member, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit includes a sensor mounting member (22) and a strain sensor (23) fitted to the sensor mounting member. The sensor mounting member has a plurality of contact fixing portions (22a, 22b) that are fixed to at least two locations spaced a distant from each other in a direction circumferentially of the outer member. A cutout (24) is provided in the outer member at respective positions corresponding to the neighboring contact fixing portions of the sensor mounting member, so as to extend in an axial direction. The strain sensor is arranged intermediate between the neighboring contact fixing portions.

Abstract: A method of verifying the strength of a vehicle in combination with auxiliary equipment fitted includes steps in which the vehicle chassis number or specification number are specified so that the vehicle specification and its parameters can be collected in a vehicle database, the parameters of the auxiliary equipment are specified, and a strength calculation for the vehicle is performed, based on the parameters of the vehicle and auxiliary equipment. In this way an assessment whether a reinforcement is needed when auxiliary equipment is fitted to a vehicle can be made.

Abstract: A chassis dynamometer includes a flat-belt mechanism configured such that a drive wheel of a vehicle is placed thereon, which includes a rotating member configured to be rotated by rotation of the drive wheel, a bearing portion configured to rotatably support the rotating member, a motor configured to apply a resistance to the rotation of the rotating member, and a bearing supporting member to which a housing of the bearing portion and the motor are fixed, a base configured to support the bearing supporting member from beneath the bearing supporting member, a plurality of three-component force sensors arranged between the bearing supporting member and the base to measure a force transmitted from the drive wheel to the flat-belt mechanism, and a computing unit configured to compute moments with respect to three axes based on measurement results of the plurality of three-component force sensors.

Abstract: The Measuring Device (1) disclosed and claimed comprises a Frame (10) pivotally supporting an Extender component (20) having an Extender contact (32). The Frame (10) additionally pivotally supports a Stabilizer (40) which is pivotally interconnected to the Extender component (20) and to the Frame (10). The Frame (10) has a Frame cover (90) with a Retainer (92). The Extender component (20) is spring biased by Spring (70). The Extender component (20) is retained in a closed position when a Retainer (92) is extended from within the Frame cover (90) to secure the Extender component (20) from upward movement. Spring (70) causes the Extender component (20) to be urged upwardly when the Retainer (92) is retracted into the Frame cover (90). A Sliding contact rod (64), moving a potentiometer contact within a Potentiometer (60), is moved proportional to movement of the Extender component (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optically measuring a chassis at a testing station. According to said method, radiation that is reflected by a surface structure of a vehicle, comprising at least one wheel (5) and a surrounding bodywork section, is detected by a measuring device with the aid of appropriate sensors, and at least the wheel plane and the wheel centre point are determined by an evaluation of the positional data obtained by means of the detected radiation. To achieve a reliable, precise measurement of the chassis in a simple operation, the surface structure of at least the vehicle bodywork section and at least the wheel is scanned, over its entire surface or at least by any two lines that record both the wheel and the bodywork, using a laser beam (12) that is emitted by the measuring device (10), and at least two surface profiles are obtained from the scanned surface structure as characteristic structures.