Adjustable Roller Vehicle Brake Testing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle roll/brake testing machines are limited in accommodating vehicles with different tire diameters and ground clearances, and they often require complex setups for easy vehicle entry and exit, which complicates the testing process.
Innovation Solution
A modular vehicle testing apparatus with moveable rollers that adjust spacing to accommodate various tire sizes, featuring a drive roller and a freewheeling roller that can be moved into a closed position for easy vehicle access, along with a brake member to inhibit rotation and a compact, low-profile design for efficient testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single large roller or pair of cradle rollers is used to support vehicle tires during testing, then the braking force can be measured through inertia of the roller, but the apparatus cannot accommodate vehicles with different tire diameters and ground clearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the roller spacing adjustable rather than fixed. The distance between the first and second rollers can be dynamically changed to accommodate different tire diameters and ground clearances. This is achieved through a moveable support structure that allows the rollers to be positioned at varying distances from each other, enabling the same apparatus to adapt to multiple vehicle types without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rollers are positioned far apart to accommodate larger vehicles, then larger vehicles can be tested, but vehicle entry and exit becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses dynamic positioning of rollers that can be adjusted between a testing position and a loading position. During testing, rollers are spaced appropriately for the vehicle size. During loading/unloading, the rollers can be moved to positions that facilitate easy vehicle access, thus resolving the contradiction between accommodating different vehicle sizes and maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into movable components that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the rollers to be positioned optimally for both vehicle loading and testing operations, rather than being constrained by a fixed rigid structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the roller spacing is fixed for a specific tire size, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the apparatus cannot accommodate different vehicle models
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains measurement precision through dynamic adjustment mechanisms that ensure accurate roller positioning for each vehicle model. The moveable support structure includes positioning systems that can precisely set the roller spacing according to the specific tire diameter and ground clearance requirements of different vehicle models, thus maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus provides a versatile, cost-effective, and convenient method for testing vehicle brake systems and drive train components, allowing easy installation and removal, accommodating different vehicle models, and enabling precise force measurements during braking tests.
Implementation Method 1
a drive roller and a freewheeling roller that can be moved into a closed position for easy vehicle access
Implementation Method 2
a brake member to inhibit rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5~6B
AI summary
A compact, modular and versatile vehicle testing assembly (20) for testing at least the brakes of an assembled vehicle (22) comprises a pair of rollers (36, 38) adapted to support a tire (32) of a tire and wheel assembly (34) of a vehicle (22) positioned on the testing assembly (20), with the pair of rollers (36, 38) being moveable relative to one another to alter the spacing there between. A drive system (52) is connected to one of the rollers (36) to operate as a drive roller for selectively imparting rotational motion to a tire (32) of a vehicle tire and wheel assembly (34), with the other roller (38) comprising a freewheeling roller to which rotational motion is imparted by a vehicle tire. A brake member (64) is engageable with the freewheeling roller to selectively inhibit rotation of the freewheeling roller.