Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a memory storing a stored driver distribution profile of a driver input parameter and a stored suspension setting corresponding to the stored driver distribution profile. The system further includes a sensor to detect a current value of the driver input parameter. The system further includes a processor communicably coupled to the memory and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a current driver distribution profile of the driver input parameter based on the current value of the driver input parameter. The processor is configured to determine a current suspension setting based on the current driver distribution profile. The processor is configured to adjust the stored suspension setting to generate a stored adjusted suspension setting corresponding to the current suspension setting.

Abstract: A system for determining a wheel-rail adhesion value for a railway vehicle including at least one axle to which two wheels having a radius are coupled is provided. The system includes a deformation detection circuit coupled to an axle arranged to detect a torsional deformation of the axle due to a longitudinal adhesion force transferred from the axle to the rail, and a controller arranged to estimate a torque value as a function of the torsional deformation detected to convert the estimated torque value into the longitudinal adhesion force value as a function of the radius of the wheels, and to calculate the wheel-rail adhesion value through the ratio between the longitudinal adhesion force value and a normal load value that the axle exerts on the rail. A method for determining a wheel-rail adhesion value for a railway vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A compact testing module (1) for use in dynamic characteristics experiments of hydraulic damper valve under extreme high or low temperature conditions, an automated system and approach based on the compact testing module (1). The compact testing module (1) comprises an outer cylinder assembly (2), a guide seat assembly (3), a foam/air separator for guide seat (4), an inner cylinder (5), a piston-and-rod assembly (6), fluids (7), a foot valve assembly (8), a washer for inner cylinder (9), a washer for foot valve assembly (10), a fluid-guiding structure (11), a magnet (12), a fluid-returning assembly (13), a framework oil seal (14), a screw cover (15) and a dust wiper (16). Based on the integrated design principle, the compact testing module (1) allows the fluids (7), the pressure fluid supplier, the hydraulic damper valve being tested (32), the pressure sensors be all integrated in one component.

Abstract: An embodiment of an assembly includes a platform (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)), a sensor, and a vibration-cancel circuit. The sensor is mounted to the platform and is configured to generate a sense signal that represents a vibration induced (e.g., a shock-induced vibration) in the platform. And the vibration-cancel circuit is configured to reduce or eliminate a level of the vibration in response to the sense signal. For example, such a vibration-cancel circuit is configured to reduce a magnitude of a vibration induced in platform, or to eliminate the vibration altogether, by generating, in the platform, a counter vibration that has a magnitude approximately equal to the magnitude of the induced vibration and that has a phase approximately opposite to the phase of the induced vibration. That is, the counter vibration cancels the induced vibration to reduce the net vibration that the platform experiences.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and a method for carrying out a vibroacoustic inspection of a motor vehicle that features at least a front and a rear axle, with a test stand that is directly or indirectly connected to at least one of the two axles by means of a force flow and relative to which the motor vehicle is tied, wherein at least one vibration generator of a first type is provided along the force flow in order to generate vibrations below 50 Hz. The invention includes at least one second vibration generator of a second type, which is provided along the at least one force flow or parallel to the force flow, for generating vibrations above 30 Hz, preferably above 100 Hz, and the at least one second vibration generator is operatively connected to the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing a motor vehicle suspension, brake components and wheel components on a motor vehicle sub-frame is provided. The test fixture can include a lower frame attached to a base surface and be dimensioned for the motor vehicle sub-frame to be attached thereto. An upper frame oppositely disposed to the lower frame and dimensioned to attach to the sub-frame is also included. A shaker system is attached to the base surface and is operable to provide a predetermined vertical displacement profile to the sub-frame. A motor is attached to an axle assembly on the sub-frame and is operable to rotate a wheel component at a predetermined rate of rotation. A non-contact gap sensor is included and can be attached to the sub-frame and detect or monitor movement between a first sub-frame component and a second sub-frame component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous monitoring system for shock absorbers, for use in motor vehicles or in any kind of machine which requires them, which will enable the shock absorbers to be evaluated during normal operation. It is essentially characterised by all the necessary components being embedded into the shock absorber itself, in a single circuit 1 or several integrated interconnected circuits, which are equipped with means of identification which provide the vehicle's or machine's various electronic management systems with the necessary information regarding shock absorbers identification, characteristics and capacity for self-diagnosis. The aforementioned components include acceleration, pressure and temperature sensors 2, signal conditioning and processing circuits 3, a wireless communication system 4, power production 5 and storage system 7 and management electronics 6.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension system is provided, having a first spring element clamped between the vehicle body and a wheel and a second spring element clamped between the body and the wheel in parallel to the first spring element by application of a tensile force by a tensioning element. The second spring element is not active without application of the tensile force. A pressure addition spring element is also provided which, in the case of large spring excursions, acts as an end stop. The pressure addition spring element is not activated by of the tensile force for activating the second spring element. The spring rate of the second spring element is preferably lower than that of the first spring element. Additional spring elements of different wheels or axles can be activated by a common mechanical tensioning element which can shorten or lengthen several tension devices connected with the spring elements.

Abstract: An electronically adjustable shock absorber, and a system, method, and algorithm for developing a vehicle suspension. The shock absorber has damping characteristics that can be adjusted electronically to match a desired set of damping characteristics. The test method includes closed loop control of the electronically adjustable shock to achieve user-provided damping characteristics. The characteristics can be selected from a graphical user interface to simulate different internal flow passages of a shock absorber. Some embodiments make possible the simulated testing of different hardware embodiments, without the need to make the actual shock absorbers and without the need interrupt the vehicle suspension testing for multiple shock absorber installations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting leaks in an air spring arrangement (1) in a motor vehicle, having a ride level control device which has a plurality of air springs (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), devices (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6, 12, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) for determining the total quantity of air in the air spring arrangement (1), and devices (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 16, 17) for sensing the temperature, and a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention provides an overload detector with a simplified system configuration to be applied to a railway car having a connecting bogie. A connecting bogie 52 (two axle bogie) having front and rear wheels 52C and 52D are disposed to extend between a first car C1 and a second car C2. The front and rear cars C1 and C2 are supported via air springs 52A and 52B on the connecting bogie 52. The other end of the car C1 is supported via air springs 51A and 51B on a bogie 51 (two axle bogie) having front and rear wheels 51C and 51D. The other end of the car C2 is supported via air springs 53A and 53B on a bogie 53 (two axle bogie) having front and rear wheels 53C and 53D. Pneumoelectric converters 41 and 42 are disposed along paths of pneumatic pipings 21 and 22, and the inner pressure of air springs 51A and 51B is converted into an inner pressure signal AS1, and the inner pressure PAS2 of the air springs 52A and 52B is converted into an inner pressure signal AS2.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a road surface reaction force in a test apparatus for a steer-by-wire system includes a steering actuation unit, and actuators arranged in parallel to tie rods of the steering actuation unit. In accordance with this arrangement, there is an advantage of a reduced installation space. Also, it is possible to transmit the force of each actuator to the associated tie rod without loss, and thus, to accurately implement the generation of a road surface reaction force.

Abstract: The ability of a damper to attenuate smooth road shake in a vehicle is tested using a test fixture that is controlled by inputting data for periodic low amplitude periodic excitations having a selected frequency range, selected amplitude range and a selected dither representative of vehicle operation on relatively smooth roads. The selected frequency range is about 5 Hz to 30 Hz and the selected amplitude range is about 0.05 mm to 2.00 mm. A preferred frequency is about 15 Hz which is applied preferably for about 200 cycles in a series of separate tests at individual amplitudes of, for example, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mm. The damper is tested to produce low amplitude test results comprising displacement, force and velocity parameters, measured as functions of time.

Abstract: A measuring tool is designed to measure the relationship between an inner hub land and an outer land for a valve body. A locating face engages the inner hub land such that the measurements are taken with respect to the inner hub land. A probe is designed to engage the outer land. By rotating the valve body, the entire circumference of the outer land can be measured in relation to the inner hub land.

Abstract: A method of testing a vibration damper mounted between a body and a wheel in a motor vehicle includes the steps of storing a parameter which corresponds to the damping force of a new vibration damper in a memory unit, wherein the parameter is the cushioning work of a tire relative to a defined excitation of a new vibration damper; subjecting the wheel to reciprocating excitation which causes the vibration damper to generate a damping force; determining the cushioning work of the tire based on the damping force during the reciprocating excitation; comparing the cushioning work of the tire during the reciprocating excitation with the parameter stored in the memory unit; and determining that the damper is defective when the cushioning work during the reciprocating excitation differs from the stored parameter by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A pneumatic device selection system has a computer, first through sixth databases connected to the computer and storing data of at least pneumatic devices, a coordinate input unit and a keyboard connected to the computer, for entering input data based on an input action of an operator into the computer, and a display unit connected to the computer, for displaying information from the computer. The pneumatic device selection system functionally has a first selection processor for selecting a cylinder operating system based on input data from the coordinate input unit or the like, and a second selection processor for selecting a shock absorber based on input data from the coordinate input unit or the like and/or a selection result from the first selection processor.

Abstract: A vehicular antilock brake control system does not require a lengthy extension piping from its actuator. The system provides for an accurate controlling method for maximizing a calculated road surface friction coefficient. Each wheel has a control unit consisting of a stress sensor, a controller and an actuator installed at the respective wheel. A stress value is detected, representative of road surface friction value or road surface friction coefficient value, for the corresponding wheel independently of the other wheels. In response to the output signal of the sensor, the controller regulates the actuator which controls brake fluid pressure applied to the respective wheel.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a suspension system is provided which includes: a frame assembly including a plurality of frame units, a base plate, a lower mounting unit, and an upper mounting unit; a wheel assembly including a wheel member and a wheel mounting assembly for enabling mounting of the wheel member to the upper and lower mounting units of the frame assembly through a suspension; a steering assembly provided to one side of the frame assembly and being connected to the wheel mounting assembly of the wheel assembly; a strut assembly including a shock absorber and a suspension spring and being provided between the wheel assembly and the frame assembly; and an arm assembly including a plurality of arms and links and being provided between the wheel assembly and the frame assembly.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an assembly comprising a bearing (1) and a mechanical interface (5) associated, by means of association means (7), with the fixed raceway (2) of the bearing (1), this interface (5) being intended to be interposed between the fixed raceway (2) of the bearing (1) and the fixed structure, the said interface (5) comprising: first means (8) of fixing to the fixed structure; second means (9) of fixing a device (10) intended to apply a force to the rotating member (6); and at least one elastic deformation zone (29-33) able to be deformed under the action of forces exerted on the said assembly, at least one sensor (38) able to measure the said forces being functionally associated with the said elastic deformation zone (29-33).

Abstract: A bearing of the type comprising a fixed raceway (2) intended to be associated with a fixed structure, a rotating raceway (3) intended to be associated with a rotating member (6, 8, 9) and rolling bodies disposed between them, in which the fixed raceway (2) comprises first means (5) of fixing the said bearing (1) to the fixed structure. The fixed raceway (2) comprises at least one elastic deformation zone able to be deformed under the action of forces exerted on the said bearing (1). At least one sensor (26) able to measure the said forces is functionally associated with the said elastic deformation zone.

Abstract: A vehicle-mountable, suspension monitoring system produces suspension-analysis information which can be used to determine adjustments to a vehicle suspension. Sensor structure located adjacent the vehicle suspension is connected to a control/processing/display (CPD) unit located adjacent the vehicle operator. The sensor structure senses suspension related information and communicates the suspension related information to the CPD unit. The CPD unit receives the suspension related information and converts it to suspension-analysis information. The CPD unit stores the suspension-analysis information and displays it to the vehicle operator. Alternatively, the suspension-analysis information is downloaded from the CPD unit to a digital computer for display as waveform data.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing torsion bars, comprising a frame, a load cell, a connector, a torque arm and a force applicator. The frame includes a torque end support positioned a predetermined distances from a load cell end support. The load cell is attached to the load cell end support, and the connector is rotatably attached to the torque end support. A torsion bar is connected to and extends between the load cell and the connector. The torque arm has a proximal portion attached to the connector, and at least one distal portion. The force applicator is attached to the distal portion of the torque arm and to the frame. The force applicator rotates the torque arm and provides a torque force to the torsion bar.

Abstract: An antilock braking system employing stress sensors installed in the wheel axle structure of a motor vehicle. The stress sensors measure a road surface frictional force and a braking torque. A parameter M is calculated from these measured values. An ABS control terminates a braking pressure reduction process in accordance with the change in the parameter M. Thereby, the system can preclude the locking of the wheel of the motor vehicle even when the brake is suddenly applied, can prevent the braking pressure reduction from being over controlled, and makes possible to minimize the braking loss.

Abstract: In a vehicle height adjust control apparatus and method for changing the vehicle height using actuators, the incidence of noises produced during the switching of actuators is reduced and good durability or long service life of the actuators is achieved. Based on a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor, a microcomputer calculates a forward-backward acceleration. If the forward-backward acceleration is equal to or less than a first predetermined value, a vehicle height deviating from a target vehicle height is adjusted by a normal operation. If the forward-backward acceleration is greater than the first predetermined value but not greater than a second predetermined value, the determination for starting vehicle height adjustment is prevented. If the forward-backward acceleration is greater than the second predetermined value, the vehicle height adjustment is suspended.