roller device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roller device for a single-track vehicle, comprising at least one first roller mounted for rotation about a first roller axis, a receiving unit for receiving the at least one first roller and at least one fastening unit, wherein the at least one fastening unit has at least one wheel receptacle for fastening the single-track vehicle to the roller device, wherein in use at least one first wheel of the single-track vehicle contacts a roller circumferential surface of the at least one first roller along a contact line oriented substantially parallel to the first roller axis, wherein the at least one fastening unit has at least one joint, so that the at least one wheel receptacle is mounted so as to be movable relative to the receiving unit at least along a first pivot axis,wherein the first pivot axis is oriented perpendicular to the first roller axis and intersects the contact line.,

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a roller device for a single-track vehicle, comprising at least one first roller mounted for rotation about a first roller axis, a receiving unit for receiving the at least one first roller and at least one fastening unit, wherein the at least one fastening unit each has at least one wheel receptacle for fastening the single-track vehicle to the roller device, wherein in use at least one first wheel of the single-track vehicle touches a roller circumferential surface of the at least one first roller along a contact line oriented substantially parallel to the first roller axis.

[0002] To optimize the coordination of all units of a single-track vehicle, with or without additional drive, roller devices are known to simulate real driving in a stationary manner. Single-track vehicles are understood to be two-wheelers such as bicycles and motorcycles, as well as those with three wheels, which have no inherent stability when stationary and without the occurrence of gyroscopic forces and would therefore tip over. For coordination purposes, measured values ​​​​in particular recorded by sensors are processed and displayed in real time. It is known to record measured values ​​​​in vehicles during road travel using a sensor box. The disadvantage of this is the design complexity of real-time measurement and that sensors, the single-track vehicle and the driver are often exposed to dangerous and inconsistent environmental influences, which can lead to significant measurement deviations, damage or even injuries.In general, such roller devices are used in particular for testing vehicles or together with a corresponding vehicle arranged on the device as a simulator.

[0003] During real cornering, as well as during sharp acceleration or braking of single-track vehicles, the position and contact surface of the wheels change, significantly affecting the stability and safety of the single-track vehicle. Known roller devices have a crown roller on which the single-track vehicle is firmly positioned by means of fastening units, particularly straps, tension belts, or pneumatically. Double roller devices are also known, in which a wheel is accommodated in a free space between two rollers, which facilitates its positioning. These also utilize the aforementioned fastening units to firmly position the vehicle on the device.

[0004] A general disadvantage of these known roller devices with fixed positioning of the single-track vehicle is the falsification of the results compared to a real test drive.

[0005] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a roller device with particularly realistic conditions and thus test results that are as realistic as possible, as well as with the highest possible number of different test cases that can be carried out.

[0006] The object is achieved by a roller device for a single-track vehicle, comprising at least one first roller mounted for rotation about a first roller axis, a receiving unit for receiving the at least one first roller and at least one fastening unit, wherein the at least one fastening unit has at least one wheel receptacle for fastening the single-track vehicle to the roller device, wherein in use at least one first wheel of the single-track vehicle contacts a roller circumferential surface of the at least one first roller along a contact line oriented substantially parallel to the first roller axis, wherein the at least one fastening unit has at least one joint, so that the at least one wheel receptacle is mounted so as to be movable relative to the receiving unit at least along a first pivot axis,wherein the first pivot axis is oriented perpendicular to the first roller axis and intersects the contact line.,

[0007] The at least one first roller is preferably arranged interchangeably on the receiving unit so that, depending on the test case, different rollers can be used, for example simulating different subsurface conditions. All first rollers advantageously have an identical average diameter so that the different rollers can be uniformly fastened in an identical receptacle of the receiving unit. The roller device preferably has a first roller which is designed as a crown roller. The design of the roller device as a double roller device in the form mentioned above with two first rollers is also an embodiment of the invention. The at least one first roller preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the roller circumferential surface between its two end faces can also be convex or concave.Depending on the configuration of the at least one first roller with a cylindrical, convex, or concave roller circumferential surface, the parallel orientation of the contact line to the first roller axis is to be understood such that the contact line extends straight or curved along the first roller axis on the roller circumferential surface. The contact line always forms the shortest distance between the end faces of the at least one first roller.

[0008] The receiving unit is formed, in particular, from a frame and covers arranged thereon, with a receptacle for the at least one first roller being mounted on the frame or formed by the frame. Both the frame, the receptacle, and the covers are preferably made of a metal, in particular aluminum, steel, or stainless steel, but other materials are also suitable, in particular carbon.

[0009] The fastening unit is preferably mounted directly and preferably reversibly on the receiving unit. The fastening unit can also be designed as an individual part or as an additional part for equipping existing roller devices. The fastening unit is mounted on the receiving unit in particular via clamp, screw or hook connections, but can also be irreversibly fastened there, in particular by means of a material bond, for example by gluing, soldering or welding. In a particularly advantageous manner, the receiving unit has reinforcements at the positions for mounting the fastening unit in order to better absorb the forces occurring on the fastening unit. When in use, the single-track vehicle is preferably fastened to the roller device exclusively via the at least one fastening unit.The fastening unit has at least one wheel mount, at least one joint and fastening means, wherein the fastening means are rigidly and directly connected to the mounting unit. The at least one joint is advantageously arranged between the at least one wheel mount and the fastening means such that they are movable relative to one another, in particular along a first pivot axis. The joint can preferably also be formed from a plurality of joint means, each of which has at least one degree of freedom. The fastening unit can further have locking means for locking the at least one joint such that the wheel mount is positioned immovably relative to the mounting unit. Locking the at least one joint is particularly helpful during a test setup and for attaching sensors to the single-track vehicle.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening unit is at least partially designed as a gripper robot unit. An advantage of such a design is the particularly easy adjustment of the fastening unit depending on the individual dimensions of a single-track vehicle to be mounted on the roller device during use.

[0011] The joint is designed to enable a rotational or pivoting movement of the wheel mount at least about the first pivot axis. Accordingly, the orientation of the pivot axis is defined by the position of the joint on the roller device, with the joint advantageously being vertically positioned in a range defined between the contact line and a wheel axle of a first wheel of the single-track vehicle and including the vertical position of the contact line and the wheel axle.

[0012] Preferably, in use, a single-track vehicle is driven onto the roller device via a removable ramp until the at least one first wheel is positioned on the first roller. The at least one fastening unit can already be mounted on the receiving unit while the single-track vehicle is driving onto the roller device, or it can be mounted subsequently. Once the single-track vehicle is positioned on the roller device and the at least one fastening unit is mounted on the roller device, the at least one first wheel is received in the at least one wheel receptacle, centered, and held there in a rotationally supported manner.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contact line and the first pivot axis lie in a common, essentially horizontal contact plane. This enables the single-track vehicle to pivot on the first roller without slipping, so that cornering can be simulated as realistically as possible. In the context of this patent application, essentially horizontal is understood to mean a deviation from a global horizontal straight line of up to a maximum of + / - 60°, preferably + / - 45°, particularly preferably + / - 30°. If a convex or concave roller circumferential surface is formed, the contact plane would be designed as a plane curved along the roller circumferential surface, which extends in the direction of the first pivot axis, i.e. in particular perpendicular to the first roller axis.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the at least one joint is designed as a ball joint. A first joint part is firmly connected to the wheel mount, and a second joint part is firmly connected to the fastening means. The at least one wheel mount is thus potentially pivotable and rotatable in all directions. However, other joint shapes and combinations are also within the scope of the invention, as long as they allow for a change in position in all directions.

[0015] In a preferred development of the invention, the at least one wheel receptacle is designed as a fork which, when in use, engages a wheel axle of the single-track vehicle, wherein the wheel axle is rotatably mounted on the at least one wheel receptacle. Instead of a fork, a single-armed wheel receptacle is also advantageous in order to maintain the greatest possible access to the wheel axle. The fork is preferably designed such that it has at least two fork legs extending away from a fork rod in an identical direction, which form a free space between them in which the wheel can be accommodated. The fork rod has the first joint part, in particular a joint ball or a joint plate of a ball joint, at its end pointing away from the fork rod. The fork legs each have a bearing for supporting a wheel axle at their ends pointing away from the fork rod.The rotationally movable arrangement of the wheel axle on the wheel mount opens up further degrees of freedom, so that the single-track vehicle is restricted as little as possible in its freedom of movement during a test. If the single-track vehicle has a hollow axle on its wheel, a rod can be inserted into this, which in turn can be rotatably mounted on the fork legs and serves as the wheel axle. The bearings at the fork leg ends are provided in particular by a plain or roller bearing. In addition, the ends of the fork legs pointing away from the fork rod can be designed such that they engage and are clamped to a fixed area of ​​a radial bearing of the first wheel. In a particularly advantageous manner, the free space between the fork legs can be expanded or narrowed in order to be able to adapt it to the wheel width of the single-track vehicle.Furthermore, the fastening unit can have spacer sleeves that compensate for a distance within the free space between the fork legs and a first wheel to maintain a stable arrangement. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wheel mount has linear extension means, in particular telescopically or differentially guided extension means, so that a pivoting movement of the single-track vehicle about a pivot point deviating from the wheel axis is possible, as can be the case in particular when the rear wheel lifts off during very heavy braking. The extension means are preferably integrated within the fork rod and / or the fork legs and extend or shorten the axial length of the wheel mount.

[0016] Furthermore, the at least one fastening unit, in particular the at least one joint and the at least one wheel holder, is mounted displaceably via a linear guide essentially parallel to the first roller axis. The linear guide is formed in particular by means of plain or rolling bearings, such as ball bearings, so that the least possible resistance has to be overcome when moving the fastening unit. This makes it possible to simulate the slipping of a wheel and to test the related safety equipment of the single-track vehicle. The linear guide is part of the fastening unit and is mounted indirectly via this or directly on the holder unit. The linear guide further has locking means for locking the fastening unit, or the at least one joint and the at least one wheel holder, at a specific position along the linear guide.A stepped or stepless locking mechanism via the locking means along the linear guide is also part of the embodiment of the invention, with the locking means connecting the fastening unit and receiving unit, or the joint and wheel mount, to the fastening means in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the roller device has several linear guides for displacement in different directions, so that the position of the fastening unit, or the joint and the wheel mount, can be individually adjusted depending on the single-track vehicle and roller.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the at least one fastening unit has inertia means, wherein the inertia means are each fastened to the at least one wheel mount and the mount unit. The inertia means are preferably designed as a spring-damper system in order to simulate as realistic inertia as possible and the centrifugal forces acting on a single-track vehicle during a real journey. Furthermore, the inertia means preferably have sensor means to record the forces occurring and thus better assess the driving behavior of the single-track vehicle. The springs and dampers of the inertia means are adjustable so that they can be adapted depending on the type and weight of the single-track vehicle and the type of test to be conducted. The damper can be adjusted electrically, mechanically, hydraulically, or pneumatically. The spring preload is, in particular, mechanically adjustable.In particular, the inertial means can therefore contribute to the stability of the single-track vehicle in addition to at least one fastening unit, provided that the spring and damper are designed to be as stiff as possible.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one joint is arranged along the first pivot axis in front of or behind the at least one first roller. Depending on the arrangement of the joint along the first pivot axis, it is possible to movably mount the single-track vehicle, in particular along additional pivot axes, so that the driving behavior can be observed when the front or rear wheel lifts off. The fastening unit can preferably be mounted at a variety of positions on the receiving unit in order to lock or unlock the required degrees of freedom depending on the test case.

[0019] Particularly advantageously, at least one second roller is mounted on the receiving unit so as to be rotatable about a second roller axis oriented parallel to the first roller axis, wherein the at least one second roller is connected to the at least one first roller via transmission means such that all rollers have the same peripheral speed. The at least one second roller is mounted on the receiving unit so as to be displaceable, in particular along the first pivot axis, so that a roller spacing between the first and second rollers can be adapted to a single-track vehicle located on the roller device. The transmission means are formed in particular by belts, chains and / or gears. Any transmission ratio between the rollers is preferably selected such that they have essentially the same peripheral speed. If all rollers have an identical diameter, the transmission ratio is 1.The transmission means are arranged within the receiving unit so that they are not easily accessible to a user. A drive of the at least one second roller via additional drive means with an identical peripheral speed to that of the at least one first roller can also be provided. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the roller device has, in addition to a second roller, a second fastening unit which fastens at least one second wheel, which contacts the second roller during use, to the roller device. The specific structural dimensions of a second fastening unit can vary depending on the type and difference between the wheels of the single-track vehicle and those of the first fastening unit.By arranging at least one first and at least one second roller, all wheels of the single-track vehicle can be set in rotation during a test case, so that in particular an anti-lock braking system of the single-track vehicle can be tested.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, at least two stops are arranged on the receiving unit to limit a pivot angle α of the wheel holder about at least the first pivot axis. The stops are arranged in such a way that they each limit a maximum deflection of the wheel holder starting from a centered zero position and thus prevent tipping of the single-track vehicle attached to the wheel holder during use, in order to prevent damage and injuries to personnel. The stops are preferably post-like and in particular made of a metal, preferably steel or stainless steel, or a carbon material in order to withstand the greatest possible impacts. In addition, the stops are in particular a force-fitting or form-fitting attachment of the stops to the receiving unit is also possible, in particular by means of screw, rivet, clamp, or bayonet connections.The stops advantageously have dampers, particularly made of plastic or rubber, at their ends facing the wheel hub to cushion the impact of the wheel hub on one of the stops and thus minimize damage to both components as well as noise. A maximum pivot angle α is at least 45°, preferably 60°, particularly preferably 75°. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two stops are implemented above the inertia means, so that they both have functional properties, thus saving a large number of additional components and thus also costs.

[0021] The invention is described by way of example in a preferred embodiment with reference to the figures, wherein further advantageous details can be taken from the figures.

[0022] Functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference symbol.

[0023] The figures show in detail: Fig. 1 Side view of a roller device; Fig. 2 perspective view of a fastening unit; Fig. 3 Perspective view of a roller device.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a roller device 1 with a single-track vehicle 2 arranged on the roller device 1 in a use case, which vehicle is designed as a motorcycle in this embodiment. The roller device 1 has a receiving unit 5 in the form of a multi-piece metal frame, on which a first roller 4 and a second roller 19 are rotatably mounted, wherein the first roller 4 is rotatably mounted about a first roller axis 3 and the second roller 19 is rotatably mounted about a second roller axis 20. The first and second roller axes 3, 20 are in the side view according to Fig. 1 oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The first and second roller axes 3, 20 are arranged parallel to one another and in a substantially horizontal common plane. At an end region 21 of the receiving unit 5, a fastening unit 6 is removably mounted on the receiving unit 5 - in particular, non-positively via a screw connection. The fastening unit 6 has a fork-shaped wheel holder 7, a joint 11, and fastening means 23, wherein the fastening means 23 are rigidly and directly connected to the receiving unit 5 when in use. The joint 11 of the fastening unit 6 is arranged between the wheel holder 7 and the fastening means 23 such that the wheel holder 7 can be pivoted relative to the receiving unit 5 via the joint 11. Accordingly, a first joint part, namely a joint ball 24, is connected to the fastening means 23, and a second joint part, namely a joint plate 25, is essentially rigidly connected to the wheel holder 7.The wheel hub 7 is rotationally connected to a wheel axle 14 of a first wheel 8 of the single-track vehicle 2. The first wheel 8 rests on a roller circumferential surface 9 of the first roller 4 along a contact line 10, which is oriented substantially parallel to the first roller axis 3 and the wheel axis 14 and thus perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The joint 11 is aligned and positioned such that it permits a pivoting movement of the wheel hub 7 and thus of the first wheel 8 and the entire single-track vehicle 2 about a first pivot axis 12, wherein this first pivot axis 12 lies in a substantially horizontal contact plane 13 and is oriented perpendicular to the contact line 10. A second wheel 22 of the single-track vehicle 2 rests on a roller circumferential surface 9 of the second roller 19.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a fastening unit 6 with a joint 11, which is arranged between the wheel hub 7 and the fastening means 23. The joint 11 is designed as a ball joint in this embodiment, so that as many degrees of freedom as possible are released via a single joint 11. The non-visible joint ball 24 of the joint 11 is surrounded by the joint plate 25 by at least 50% of its circumferential surface and is arranged on the fastening means 23 in such a way that the joint ball 24 and thus the joint 11 and the wheel hub 7 can be axially displaced parallel to the first roller axis 3 (not shown) by means of a linear guide 15 in order to be able to position the single-track vehicle 2 (not shown) as individually as possible on the roller device 1. The joint ball 24 of the joint 11 is clamped to the fastening means 23 via the linear guide 15 formed from an elongated hole 26 and a screw connection.The fastening means 23 are formed as a single piece from bent sheet metal and have openings 27 for fastening to the receiving unit 5 (not shown) via screws, rivets, or bolts. The joint plate 25 of the joint 11 is rigidly connected to the wheel mount 7, so that the forces can be transmitted directly. Using a handle lever 28, the joint plate 25 and thus the wheel mount 7 can be reversibly detached from and attached to the joint ball 24 and thus to the fastening means 23. The wheel mount 7 is fork-shaped and has two...

[0026] Fork rod 29 has fork legs 30 extending in an identical direction, which form a free space 31 between them, in which the first wheel 8 (not shown) is positioned when in use. The fork rod 29 is also connected to the fork legs 30 by means of screws, wherein the size of the free space 31 can be individually adapted to the dimensions of the first wheel 8, in particular via spacer sleeves (not shown) which can be inserted between the fork rod 29 and the fork leg 30. The fork legs 30 each have, at their ends pointing away from the fork rod 29, a ball bearing 32 for supporting a rod which can be inserted into a hollow axle (not shown) of the first wheel 8 and serves as the wheel axle 14.

[0027] Fig.3 shows a perspective view of a roller device 1 with a single-track vehicle 2 arranged thereon during use. In this exemplary embodiment, the single-track vehicle 2 is designed as a motorcycle and rests with its first wheel 8 on the circumferential surface 9 of the first roller 4 of the roller device 1, thereby forming a contact line 10 oriented substantially parallel to the first roller axis 3. The single-track vehicle 2 is pivotally attached to the roller device 1 via the fastening unit 6 about the pivot axis 12, wherein the pivot axis 12 is oriented perpendicular to the first roller axis 3 and intersects the contact line 10. The pivot axis 12 lies in a substantially horizontal contact plane 13 (not shown).The second wheel 22 of the single-track vehicle 2 rests on the roller circumferential surface 9 of the second roller 19 of the roller device 1, wherein the second roller 19 is displaceable essentially horizontally and linearly within the receiving unit 5 of the roller device 1, so that a distance between the first and second roller axes 3, 20 can be adapted to a wheelbase of the single-track vehicle 2. The second roller 19 is connected to the first roller 4 via transmission means 17 such that all rollers 4, 19 have the same peripheral speed. In this exemplary embodiment, the transmission means 17 are designed as a belt 33 circulating over roller pulleys 35 and the roller pulleys 35 themselves, wherein the belt 33 is guided and tensioned over a total of three further deflection pulleys 34 in order to ensure pretensioning of the belt 33 regardless of the position of the second roller 19. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 roller device 2 Single-track vehicle 3 first roller axis 4 first roller 5 Recording unit 6 Mounting unit 7 Wheel mount 8 first wheel 9 Roller circumferential surface 10 Contact line 11 Joint 12 first swivel axis 13 Contact level 14 Wheel axle 15 Linear guide 17 means of transmission 19 second roller 20 second roller axis 21 End area 22 second wheel 23 Fasteners 24 joint ball 25 joint plates 26 slot 27 Opening 28 handle levers 29 Fork rod 30 fork legs 31 open space 32 ball bearings 33 belts 34 pulleys 35 roller rolls

Claims

[1] Roller device (1) for a single-track vehicle (2), comprising at least one first roller (4) mounted for rotation about a first roller axis (3), a receiving unit (5) for receiving the at least one first roller (4) and at least one fastening unit (6), wherein the at least one fastening unit (6) each has at least one wheel receptacle (7) for fastening the single-track vehicle (2) to the roller device (1), wherein, in use, at least one first wheel (8) of the single-track vehicle (2) touches a roller circumferential surface (9) of the at least one first roller (4) along a contact line (10) oriented substantially parallel to the first roller axis (3), characterized bythat the at least one fastening unit (6) each has at least one joint (11), so that the at least one wheel holder (7) is movably mounted relative to the holder unit (5) at least along a first pivot axis (12), wherein the first pivot axis (12) is oriented perpendicular to the first roller axis (3) and intersects the contact line (10). [2] Roller device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the contact line (10) and the first pivot axis (12) lie in a common substantially horizontal contact plane (13). [3] Roller device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least one joint (11) is designed as a ball joint. [4] Roller device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized bythat the at least one wheel receptacle (7) is designed as a fork or single-armed fork which, in use, engages a wheel axle (14) of the single-track vehicle (2), wherein the wheel axle (14) is rotatably mounted on the at least one wheel receptacle (7). [5] Roller device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one fastening unit (6), in particular the at least one joint (11) and the at least one wheel holder (7), is displaceably mounted via a linear guide (15) essentially parallel to the first roller axis (3). [6] Roller device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one fastening unit (6) has inertia means, wherein the inertia means are each fastened to the at least one wheel holder (7) and the holder unit (5). [7] Roller device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one joint (11) is arranged along the first pivot axis (12) in front of or behind the at least one first roller (4). [8] Roller device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one second roller (19) is mounted on the receiving unit (5) so as to be rotatable about a second roller axis (20) oriented parallel to the first roller axis (3), wherein the at least one second roller (19) is connected to the at least one first roller (4) via transmission means (17) in such a way that all rollers (4, 19) have substantially the same circumferential speed. [9] Roller device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least two stops for limiting a pivot angle α of the wheel holder (7) about at least the first pivot axis (12) are arranged on the receiving unit (5).

Images