Roller Or Belt Wheel Support Patents (Class 73/123)
  • Patent number: 11802815
    Abstract: A vehicle is received in a stationary controlled area of a controlled testing environment. Simulation inputs corresponding to a simulated scene are generated and transmitted to the vehicle. The vehicle applies torque in response. A vehicle control mechanism of the controlled testing environment, such as a chassis dynamometer, a motorized treadmill, or a lift, keeps the vehicle within the stationary controlled area during the test despite the torque applied by the vehicle. A path of the vehicle within the simulated scene is determined based on the applied torque, based upon which the vehicle's navigation system is calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Mahesh Seetharaman, Kevin Chu, Dennis Jackson
  • Patent number: 11698324
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a vehicle excitation advice. The vehicle excitation device that excites a vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes a plurality of excitation machine bodies on which the wheels are placed, respectively. The excitation machine body includes a front shaft and a rear shaft on which the wheels are placed at intervals in the in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and an actuator (hydraulic actuator) that excites vibration to the wheels by moving at least one of the front shaft and the rear shaft in the front-rear direction. The front shaft is inclined such that the inner end portion of the front shaft in the left-right direction of the vehicle is located closer to the front of the vehicle than the outer end portion of the front shaft in the left-right direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shutaro Hiramoto, Susumu Akutsu
  • Patent number: 11630032
    Abstract: A vibrating device is provided that can appropriately reproduce a vibrating state during travel of a vehicle. A vibrating actuator (12) of a vibrating device (1) vibrates a driving wheel W by driving a second roller (16) in a front-rear direction in a state where a lower side portion of the driving wheel W is held between a first roller (17) and the second roller (16). In a case where the wheel W is in a creep state, the second roller (16) is driven so as to rotate in a reverse direction to the driving wheel W by a rotating actuator (170).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Susumu Akutsu
  • Patent number: 11529727
    Abstract: A power tool, such as a rotary hammer, includes a housing, an output shaft for mounting a tool accessary and a motor having a motor shaft that generates a rotational output for rotating and linearly hammering the output shaft. The rotational output of the motor shaft is coupled to the output shaft via a driving mechanism that includes a hammer mechanism. An intervening member is axially movable relative to the motor shaft and is operably coupled between the motor shaft and the hammer mechanism. The hammer mechanism and the output shaft are supported by a movable support that is axially movable relative to the housing. Because the output shaft and the driving mechanism are movable relative to the motor and the housing, which preferably includes handle, via the intervening member and the movable support during hammering operations, vibration generated during hammering operations can be dampened before reaching the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyonobu Yoshikane, Yoshitaka Machida, Hitoshi Iida, Kazuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10601357
    Abstract: A method for emulating a three-phase electric motor using a load emulator, wherein the load emulator is connected in a three-phase manner via its load terminals to the supply terminals of a motor controller. The load emulator has emulator power electronics and an emulator controller for controlling the emulator power electronics. The emulator controller determines the supply terminals that are driven by the motor controller and the supply terminals that are not driven. The emulator power electronics are driven by the emulator controller in such a manner that phase currents calculated by the emulator controller on the basis of a motor model flow in the supply terminals that are driven by the motor controller. A phase voltage calculated by the emulator controller on the basis of a motor model is applied to the supply terminal that is not driven by the motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: dSPACE digital signal processing and control engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Nils Holthaus
  • Patent number: 8857251
    Abstract: A brake test stand for testing vehicle brakes and for determining the brake forces acting on the respective vehicle wheel. The brake test stand comprises first and second pairs of rollers for positioning the two wheels mounted on a common axis of a vehicle thereon, wherein the rollers of each pair of rollers are arranged opposite to each other and the pairs of rollers are provided side by side. A control unit controls the test stand. First sensing devices are positioned respectively below and between the rollers of each pair of rollers for sensing the pattern of the running surface of each of the tires of the wheels mounted on the common axis. A processing and calculation unit processes the data obtained by the first sensing devices for calculating tire conditions based on a correlation of the data of the coaxially mounted tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment SRL a Unico Socio
    Inventor: Klaus Kirstätter
  • Patent number: 8387450
    Abstract: A chassis dynamometer for a vehicle has a base seat, a fixed shaft having one end thereof attached to the base seat, a rotary proximal portion rotatably supported to the fixed shaft, a roller connected to the rotary proximal portion, for loading a wheel of a vehicle, and a motor connected to the roller so that power can be transmitted therebetween. The roller has a single flange portion connected to the rotary proximal portion and extending obliquely to the axis, and an outer peripheral portion extending both axial directions from an outer periphery of the flange portion and disposed outward in the radial direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: A&D Company, Limited, Toyo Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ichige, Yoshihiro Okamoto, Mieko Nagai
  • Publication number: 20120222476
    Abstract: The invention concerns a roller for a motor vehicle brake test bench comprising a roller body (11), wherein the peripheral wall (17) of the roller body (11) is formed at least partially from plastic. The invention further concerns a brake test bench (12) for motor vehicles having such a roller (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT SRL A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Klaus Kirstätter
  • Patent number: 8240197
    Abstract: A compact, modular and versatile vehicle testing assembly for testing at least the brakes of an assembled vehicle comprises a pair of rollers adapted to support a tire of a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle positioned on the testing assembly, with the pair of rollers being moveable relative to one another to alter the spacing there between. A drive system is connected to one of the rollers to operate as a drive roller for selectively imparting rotational motion to a tire of a vehicle tire and wheel assembly, with the other roller comprising a freewheeling roller to which rotational motion is imparted by a vehicle tire. A brake member is engageable with the freewheeling roller to selectively inhibit rotation of the freewheeling roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company
    Inventors: Jon D. Lawrence, Timothy J. Leep, James R. Lehman, Bryan K. VandenBosch
  • Patent number: 8015863
    Abstract: A chassis dynamometer is disclosed having a dynamometer drum member, a housing member to house a stator, a shoe member to form a gap with the dynamometer drum member, an extension shaft member to radially vary the gap dimension. The extension shaft member may extend radially from the housing member, and the extension shaft member may include external threads. The extension shaft member may include a smooth portion, and the extension shaft member may cooperate with a collar member. The extension shaft member may include a hole member, and the extension shaft member may include a fastening member. The collar member may include a shoulder member, and the extension shaft member may include a flange member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dynocom Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Arseneau
  • Patent number: 7752903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller brake testing dynamometer (P) for vehicles whose braking forces are to be ascertained, wherein there is provided at least one roller (L) which is driven by way of a drive (A) in order in turn to drive a vehicle tire (R) bearing against the roller (L), and wherein the dynamometer (P) has at least one contact-less sensor unit (S) for detecting the position of the tire (R) relative to the at least one roller (L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Seibl
  • Patent number: 7685872
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Yona Ben David
  • Publication number: 20100058851
    Abstract: A compact, modular and versatile vehicle testing assembly for testing at least the brakes of an assembled vehicle comprises a pair of rollers adapted to support a tire of a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle positioned on the testing assembly, with the pair of rollers being moveable relative to one another to alter the spacing there between. A drive system is connected to one of the rollers to operate as a drive roller for selectively imparting rotational motion to a tire of a vehicle tire and wheel assembly, with the other roller comprising a freewheeling roller to which rotational motion is imparted by a vehicle tire. A brake member is engageable with the freewheeling roller to selectively inhibit rotation of the freewheeling roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company
    Inventors: Jon D. Lawrence, Timothy J. Leep, James R. Lehman, Bryan K. Vandenbosch
  • Patent number: 7584654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller brake testing dynamometer (P) for vehicles whose braking forces are to be ascertained, wherein there is provided at least one roller (L) which is driven by way of a drive (A) in order in turn to drive a vehicle tire (R) bearing against the roller (L), wherein there is provided at least one braking force sensor (S) for ascertaining a braking force exerted on the roller (L) by the tire (R), and wherein there is provided an evaluation and control unit (E) to which the signals of the braking force sensor (S) can be fed. Furthermore, it is provided that the evaluation and control unit (E) is adapted on the basis of the signals from the braking force sensor (S) to ascertain the transition from static friction to sliding friction between the tire (R) and the roller (L) independently of the speed of rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Seibl
  • Patent number: 7493805
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing the brakes, wheel alignment, suspension, transmission, and engine of motorized wheeled vehicles, includes 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 the 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. Sensors are connected to the rollers and a computer for data processing, display and recording is 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Yona Ben-David
  • Patent number: 7406862
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for inspecting a brake system of a two-wheeled vehicle are provided, which not only can reduce the time required for each inspection of the two-wheeled vehicle to efficiently perform inspection of the two-wheeled vehicle, but also remarkably improve the inspection accuracy. Each wheel of the two-wheeled vehicle is supported by respective corresponding support rollers and an anti-lock brake system and a front and rear wheel interlocking brake system acts on the wheels. Data for rotational speeds of the rollers supporting the wheel acted upon by the anti-lock brake system are measured by measuring encoders 20, 31. Data for temperature of a brake actuating part 45 of the wheel acted upon by the front and rear wheel interlocking brake system is measured by a measuring sensor 46.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Madonna
  • Patent number: 7392693
    Abstract: A test stand for motor vehicles with a roller assembly (1) having a contact surface (3) for rolling the wheels (2), with the contact surface (3) being rotatably driven and adapted to be blocked, and/or braked, and/or released. The roller assembly (1) is mounted for at least a slight movement with at least two degrees of freedom, and to determine the force which is generated by the motor vehicle during driving and/or braking movements of the vehicle, it is possible to measure the force that is operative between the roller assembly (1) and a predeterminable fixed point (10), and/or the displacement occurring during driving and braking movements of the motor vehicle, and/or the angle of rotation between the roller assembly (1) and a predeterminable fixed point (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Femboeck Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Wimmer
  • Patent number: 7377153
    Abstract: A roller support assembly for a dynamometer system includes a plurality of bearing support structures wherein each bearing support structure includes at least one roller bearing, at least one vertical support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a vertical plane, at least one horizontal support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a horizontal plane, and an installation site structure supporting each of the plurality of bearing support structures. Each of the at least two bearing support structures further includes at least one vertical support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a vertical plane and each of the at least two bearing support structures further includes a pair of vertical support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Robert M. Bergeron
  • Patent number: 7318340
    Abstract: A vehicle positioning apparatus capable of avoiding the elastic deformation of the tires or the development of histeresis in and around the legs allows a vehicle to be positioned with high accuracy. The apparatus includes two front wheel guide units 10 and two rear wheel guide units 20, each including a pair of guide members g1 and g2 with a predetermined length that extend in parallel while an interval is maintained between the guide members in accordance with the tire widths W1 and W2 of front wheels 51 and the rear wheels 52, respectively, of a vehicle 50 to be positioned. A correct position of the vehicle can be ensured as the vehicle travels along the wheel guide units with each of the tires restrained by each pair of guide members g1 and g2 on either side of the tire. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for adjusting each of the wheel guide units in accordance with the wheel tracks T1 and T2 of the vehicle 50, whereby various types of vehicles can be handled with a single apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutsugu Suita
  • Patent number: 7213449
    Abstract: A chassis dynamometer for use with a test vehicle such as a snowmobile is provided. First and second spaced apart rolls support the test vehicle. A belt is arranged around the first and second rolls and rotationally couples the rolls to one another. The belt includes an outer surface on a test side of the belt for supporting the test vehicle. The belt reduces slipping of the track on the dynamometer. The belt receives inputs from the test vehicle. A processor quantifies the inputs from the test vehicle. A platform is arranged between the first and second rolls beneath the belt to maintain engagement of the track with the belt. The platform includes a load cell for detecting a longitudinal load imparted to the platform by the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: AVL North America Inc., AVL Zoellner GmbH
    Inventors: Ken Barnes, Juergen Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 7203602
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for operating a test bench, e.g. a roller test bench, for carrying out simulation drives of a vehicle placed on the test bench. At least one vehicle wheel contacts at least one roller of the roller test bench. To determine the roller setpoint speed, a reaction torque of the roller in relation to the vehicle wheel is measured on the roller of the roller test bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Michaelis, Martin Pichler
  • Patent number: 7117730
    Abstract: A device for simulating slip on vehicle test benches wherein a vehicle wheel which rolls on a movable testing surface of a test device such as a test roller or flat belt and performs the object of changing the frictional force between the wheel and the testing surface without necessarily having to change the coefficient of friction A lifting/lowering device changes the contact force FA of the wheel in a predeterminable way from the tire to an apparatus as the wheel rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: RENK Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Karrer, Andreas Mund
  • Patent number: 6860145
    Abstract: A motorized chassis dynamometer machine. In one embodiment, the dynamometer machine includes a fixed frame assembly. At least one roller assembly is mounted on the fixed frame assembly. At least one independent motor assembly is connected to each roller assembly. The independent motor assembly is used for driving the roller assembly. At least one independent loading dynamometer assembly capable of measuring the vehicle input power at each roller assembly is coupled to each roller assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the dynamometer assembly is only operable for loading each independent roller assembly, while the motor assembly is operable for driving each independent roller assembly. The machine has at least one motor controller capable of controlling each independent motor assembly and at least one dynamometer controller capable of controlling each independent dynamometer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Power Test, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen B Bergst, John R Childers, John F Petelinsek, Alan D Petelinsek, Daniel D Strain, Gregory Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040200272
    Abstract: A motorized chassis dynamometer machine. In one embodiment, the dynamometer machine includes a fixed frame assembly. At least one roller assembly is mounted on the fixed frame assembly. At least one independent motor assembly is connected to each roller assembly. The independent motor assembly is used for driving the roller assembly. At least one independent loading dynamometer assembly capable of measuring the vehicle input power at each roller assembly is coupled to each roller assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the dynamometer assembly is only operable for loading each independent roller assembly, while the motor assembly is operable for driving each independent roller assembly. The machine has at least one motor controller capable of controlling each independent motor assembly and at least one dynamometer controller capable of controlling each independent dynamometer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Allen B. Bergst, John R. Childers, John F. Petelinsek, Alan D. Petelinsek, Daniel D. Strain, Gregory Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040007046
    Abstract: A device for simulating slip on vehicle test benches wherein a vehicle wheel which rolls on a movable testing surface of a test device such as a test roller or flat belt and performs the object of changing the frictional force between the wheel and the testing surface without necessarily having to change the coefficient of friction, A lifting/lowering device changes the contact force FA of the wheel in a predeterminable way from the tire to an apparatus as the wheel rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: RENK Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Karrer, Andreas Mund
  • Patent number: 6601441
    Abstract: A test device and method for verifying the proper operation of a dynamometer is described. The inventive test device is portable and simple to operate, allowing dynamometer accuracy to be readily tested in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventors: Garrett D. Torgerson, Michael J. St. Denis
  • Patent number: 6601445
    Abstract: A roller type test stand for motor vehicles and/or wheel/tire combinations including at least one running roller for supporting the wheels, a supporting frame and a drive arranged between the running rollers. The drive is a motor/transmission combination including a shaft for supporting the running rollers, a transmission and at least one motor. The motor is arranged next to the shaft and is connected to the shaft via a transmission. The motor/transmission combination is arranged on a frame that is swing mounted on the supporting frame. At least one measuring apparatus is arranged on the frame between the running rollers. Alternatively, the frame may be replaced by a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: RENK Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jörg Cordes
  • Patent number: 6257054
    Abstract: A roller dynamometer is provided, having at least one supporting carriage having a rotatable roller and a dynamometer linked to the roller for measuring torque output of a vehicle. The carriages are rollable on a substrate for positioning under a vehicle. In one aspect, multiple dynamometer and roller units are provided, for engagement with multiple vehicle wheels, with the units being linked electronically for common control by a control unit that simulates either straight line or curved driving conditions. In a further aspect, the dynamometer is supported on the carriage by a rotary mount. In a further aspect, the rollers have a generally hourglass shape to permit vehicle wheel self-centering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources
    Inventors: Jacek L. Rostkowski, William Desmond McGonegal, Frederick J. Hendren, Roman Gorny
  • Patent number: 6012329
    Abstract: In the tire examination method before and after an alteration in the tire pressure a respective interferogram is produced of the tire surface using coherent radiation and the interferogram is converted into a modulo 2 .pi. image, which for its part is processed to obtain a gray value image and in the case of which from a comparison of the gray value images information concerning any defects present in the tire is obtained. For testing a tire the wheel, which bears such tire to be tested, is arranged on a driven roller set by driving the vehicle with the wheel, a test head is moved toward the tire to be at a predetermined test distance therefrom for producing such interferograms, at a first test segment of the tire examination for defects is performed, the wheel is incrementally rotated by the roller set by an amount equal to the size of a test segment and so many test segments are examined that the complete tire is tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Beissbarth GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Kelm-Klager, Hermann Bux
  • Patent number: 5945598
    Abstract: The invention is in the field of dynamometer testing of aircraft wheel and brake assemblies and, more particularly, relates to the simulation of brake and landing gear vibration dynamics on a dynamometer. The test apparatus and method according to the invention employ a pitch beam that simulates bogie pitch motion, and a walk beam that simulates landing gear walk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: John J. Enright
  • Patent number: 5756889
    Abstract: A device for restraining the driving tires of a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer which includes sidewall rollers that position themselves automatically as the vehicle approaches the dynamometer and which lock in place before the dynamometer test begins. The restraining rollers are rotatably mounted on one or more carriers that are initially free to move right or left to accommodate the position of the vehicle's tires. When the latter are satisfactorily aligned with respect to the dynamometer rollers, the movable carriers are locked in place, restricting the lateral movement of the driving tires during the test on the dynamometer. The invention is intended particularly for dynamometers in exhaust emission testing facilities, including garages and service stations, where a low-cost, yet robust, vehicle restraint system is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Severino D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 5705744
    Abstract: A method checks a vehicle brake system rapidly and reproducibly to measure the correlation between the brake pedal travel and the retardation produced. A test-bed routine is called up in the control unit. During the operation of the test-bed routine, the functioning of the brake system is checked. For this purpose, a pressure difference is produced in the vacuum brake booster. The brake booster pressure difference produces a brake pressure in the brake master cylinder, and a pedal travel corresponding to this brake pressure simultaneously arises. The retardation can either be measured at the rollers of the test bed or is derived from continuously measured wheel speed values. A retardation value can be determined for each wheel as can a correlation between the pedal travel and the retardation from the measured values in the presence of different brake booster pressure difference. The process can average the values measured at the individual wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Franz Brugger, Bernd Knoff, Albrecht Eckl, Hans-Georg Riedel, Ulrich Stoll
  • Patent number: 5656764
    Abstract: A mobile speedometer tester comprising at least two main wheels rotatably attached to a trailer frame, and a trailer frame. A target disk, pickup and totalizer measure the rate of roller rotation, and bellcranks rotatably mounted to the trailer frame allow the main wheels to be extended and retracted. A brake is provided to stop the rollers from rotating, and the front wheel is retractable by means of an electric motor. The main wheels are quickly and easily removable from the bellcranks. Ramps attached to the trailer frame allow test vehicles to drive up onto the mobile speedometer tester in order to test their speedometers. A motorcycle version allows motorcycle speedometers to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Paul L. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 5621168
    Abstract: A simulator for testing an Anti-lock braking system modulator capable of easily setting the yawing of a vehicle and disproportionate concentration of a vehicle weight according to the various vehicle weights and diverse road surface conditions has wheels rotated by compressively contacting flywheel pairs, a flywheel driving portion for transmitting and managing a driving force to the flywheels, rotation-speed sensors for monitoring the rotational speed of the wheels and flywheels, pneumatic cylinders installed to respective wheels for regulating a frictional force between the wheels and flywheels, a braking system for inciting a braking force to the wheels to which a modulator to be tested is mounted, a pneumatic pressure generating circuit for supplying a predetermined pressure to the braking system and pneumatic cylinder, and a controller electrically connected to the flywheel driving portion, rotation-speed sensors and pneumatic pressure generating circuit, in which the controller controls the flywheel dri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang K. Kim, Hong J. Lee
  • Patent number: 5522257
    Abstract: A suspended large, single roll dynamometer for use in a compact pit. The dynamometer includes a power absorption unit operably coupled to a pair of rolls. The rolls support the driven wheels of a vehicle thereon for rotational movement. A cradle is used to support the power absorption unit, and thus the rolls, within the pit in a manner which does not require significant clearance between the perimeter of the cradle or the rolls and the interior walls of the pit. The components associated with the dynamometer which require periodic access and/or maintenance are further disposed on the power absorption unit so as to be readily physically accessible by an individual without physically entering the pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: AVL North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Severino D'Angelo, James D. Kisner
  • Patent number: 5495753
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing an anti-lock brake system has rolls and device for detecting rotational changes of the rolls. The test is performed by running a vehicle having mounted thereon the anti-lock brake system while wheels of the vehicle are placed on the rolls, actuating the anti-lock brake system when a predetermined speed has been attained, and judging operating conditions of the anti-lock brake system from rotational changes of the rolls at the time of braking. In the apparatus, the friction coefficient of each of the rolls is set to such a value that a frictional force to act between each of the rolls and each of the wheels at the time of braking exceeds an inertia force of each of the rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Watanabe, Takao Shibayama, Kimitake Uzuyama, Kazuyuki Fukamachi, Keiichiro Maekawa, Masaru Maruo
  • Patent number: 5467646
    Abstract: Process and device for controlling the braking of a brake bench of a wheeled vehicle having plural interconnected drive shafts, each shaft having a differential. One wheel on a shaft is driven in the forward direction and the other wheel on the same shaft is driven in the rearward direction. The speed (V.sub.A) of the drive motor (7a) of the one wheel (3a) and the speed (V.sub.B) of the drive motor (7b) of the other wheel (3b) differ from each other such that the difference of the two speeds (V.sub.A, V.sub.B) is maintained less than a value such as will move another shaft of the vehicle which is external to the brake bench. The difference in the two speeds (V.sub.A, V.sub.B) is maintained less than 5% of the speed (V.sub.A) of the drive motor (7a) in the forward direction (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Muller BEM
    Inventors: Denis Douine, Gilles Durand
  • Patent number: 5452607
    Abstract: A roller brake dynamometer includes shuttle wheels which engage the dynamometer rollers and are movable between raised and lowered ground engaging positions. The shuttle wheels may be rotated in the same or opposite directions to move the dynamometer forwardly, rearwardly or turn it about its own axis. A dynamometer transport trailer includes an endless conveyor chain running the length of the center of the tiltable trailer bed which includes a tongue engagable with the dynamometer frame for pulling the dynamometer on to and off of the trailer bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Hicklin Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight A. Axtell
  • Patent number: 5450748
    Abstract: A simple, compact and inexpensive chassis dynamometer capable of performing a multiplicity of tests and of simulating a variety of conditions, including wind resistance, weight of the vehicle and grade or slope of a road, includes first and second pairs of rolls for supporting the tires of a vehicle to be tested. An electric drive motor is connected with the rolls to drive them, and a single flywheel and associated eddy current motor are connected with the rolls to impart various levels of apparent inertia to the rotational movement of the rolls for thereby simulating the various conditions encountered by a vehicle travelling on a road. The frame is of open construction and the drive motor, eddy current motor, flywheel, rolls and associated components are confined within the periphery of the frame. The open construction of the frame simplifies the apparatus and enables maintenance and repair to be performed in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Maxwell Dynamometer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip F. Evans, C. Eugene Hutcheson
  • Patent number: 5339682
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing an anti-lock brake system has rolls and device for detecting rotational changes of the rolls. The test is performed by running a vehicle having mounted thereon the anti-lock brake system while wheels of the vehicle are placed on the rolls, actuating the anti-lock brake system when a predetermined speed has been attained, and judging operating conditions of the anti-lock brake system from rotational changes of the rolls at the time of braking. In the apparatus, the friction coefficient of each of the rolls is set to such a value that a frictional force to act between each of the rolls and each of the wheels at the time of braking exceeds an inertia force of each of the rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Watanabe, Takao Shibayama, Kimitake Uzuyama, Kazuyuki Fukamachi, Keiichiro Maekawa, Masaru Maruo
  • Patent number: 5230242
    Abstract: The brakes of a two-axle vehicle are tested by weighing the vehicle and measuring the braking forces for both axles to determine the actual ratio of front axle braking force to total braking force. The deceleration applied to the vehicle is determined from the weight of the vehicle and the applied braking forces. A nominal preferred value of the ratio of front axle braking force to total braking force is calculated from the determined deceleration and the measured weight of the vehicle. The nominal preferred value varies from test to test with both the actual deceleration and the vehicle weight. For each test, upper and lower limits for the acceptability of the actual ratio of front axle braking force to total braking force are set based upon the computed nominal preferred value. These limits move from test to test with the computed nominal preferred value. The nominal preferred value, the movable limits, and the actual ratio are displayed to the user on a CRT screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Patent number: 5148703
    Abstract: A vehicle inspection facility comprises a horizontal base frame supporting a pair of brake testing sub-assemblies. Each sub-assembly comprises a driven roller and a companion roller, and includes means for rotating the driver roller for rotating the wheels of a vehicle being tested and means for measuring the braking force applied by the vehicle brakes against the driven roller. Also included is a vehicle suspension and steering testing assembly comprising a pair of horizontal supporting surfaces for supporting the vehicle front wheels and including means for producing reciprocal motion of the supporting surfaces along perpendicular directions to determine the degree of "play" of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Roads & Traffic Authority of New South Wales
    Inventors: Rodney G. Vaughan, Russell K. Findlay, Ivan Jakabek, Ralph Richardson, Myles J. McLachlan, Geoffrey C. Venn-Brown
  • Patent number: 5005405
    Abstract: A method of testing the performance of an anti-lock brake control system of the type wherein an electronic control circuit signals each modulator to increase, decrease, or hold the hydraulic fluid pressure on the corresponding wheel brake as required by the varying wheel speed. The method dictates the sequential delivery of quasi brake control signals from the control circuit to the respective modulators, each signal being capable of causing an increase, a decrease and a holding of the fluid pressure on one brake. The resulting braking forces being exerted on the respective vehicle wheels are measured as by a dynamometer connected to motored rollers under the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiichi Ishizeki
  • Patent number: 4932252
    Abstract: Method and device for testing an anti-skid braking system (ABS) of a motor vehicle, using a roller test bench with at least four rollers or pairs of rollers. These rollers are put into rotation by the roller bench and braked by the brakes of the vehicle. A difference in speed of rotation between at least one of the (pairs of) rollers and the other(s) is brought about by the roller bench. During the braking, the response of the anti-skid system to this difference in speed is observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Sun Electric Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes P. Bovenlander, Maarken Molenaar
  • Patent number: 4280359
    Abstract: A hammer drill has a housing provided with a tool chuck in which a tool is to be mounted. A drive is provided which is capable of rotating and/or axially impacting the tool chuck. This drive includes a piston reciprocable in axial direction of the tool chuck, a drum rotating on a shaft extending parallel to the direction of reciprocation of the piston and provided with a circumferentially extending cam track, and a transmitting arrangement which travels in part in engagement with the cam track and which has another part connected with the piston to reciprocate the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Karl Wanner, Jorg Falchle, Manfred Bleicher, Frank Muller
  • Patent number: 4044609
    Abstract: A roller is disclosed which is intended to have frictional engagement with a vehicle wheel during a testing operation and which is constructed by welding together: a central supporting shaft, a plurality of outwardly-extending axially-spaced supporting discs, and a plurality of axially-extending members supported in slots on the peripheries of the discs and arranged to provide wheel-engaging ribs extending at right angles to the direction of motion of the wheel periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Clayton Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Carl J. Asmus
  • Patent number: 3952589
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved apparatus for testing a wheeled vehicle utilizing wheel-supporting rollers. All the wheel-supporting rollers are constrained to rotate at the same peripheral speed. Means are provided for measuring the angular acceleration or deceleration of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: Sun Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Herman Robert Geul