Adjustable Support Elements for Vehicle Test Bench Belt

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind tunnel test stands face challenges in accurately measuring z-forces and adapting to the dimensions of motor vehicles with varying track widths and wheelbases due to fixed bearing surfaces, leading to measurement inaccuracies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A belt unit with a continuous treadmill that features adjustable support elements and uprising units, allowing flexible adaptation to vehicle dimensions, with automatic adjustment capabilities and fluid channels for minimizing wear and optimizing support, enabling precise force measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fixed bearing surfaces are used to support the treadmill, then the structure is simple and stable, but the measurement precision deteriorates when vehicle dimensions vary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce measurement precisionVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support units are made adjustable in position along the treadmill width, transforming a static fixed-bearing structure into a dynamic adaptable one. This allows the support units to be repositioned to match different vehicle wheel positions, ensuring the measuring surface always aligns with the tire contact area for precise force measurement regardless of vehicle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support units are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the treadmill, enable precise force measurement through adjustability, and accommodate various vehicle types with different track widths. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the structure adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bearing surface area is made large to support various vehicle dimensions, then adaptability improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mismatched contact area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to vehicle dimensionsVSAvoidforce measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single large fixed bearing surface, the system divides the support function into multiple discrete support units that can be independently positioned. Each support unit can be aligned with the actual tire contact area, ensuring precise measurement while adapting to different vehicle configurations through selective positioning rather than relying on a oversized surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support units are made adjustable in position along the treadmill width, transforming a static fixed-bearing structure into a dynamic adaptable one. This allows the support units to be repositioned to match different vehicle wheel positions, ensuring the measuring surface always aligns with the tire contact area for precise force measurement regardless of vehicle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed support positions are used for the treadmill, then setup time is reduced, but adaptability to different vehicle dimensions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to vehicle dimensionsVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support units are made adjustable in position along the treadmill width, transforming a static fixed-bearing structure into a dynamic adaptable one. This allows the support units to be repositioned to match different vehicle wheel positions, ensuring the measuring surface always aligns with the tire contact area for precise force measurement regardless of vehicle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides accurate and flexible force measurement by adapting to vehicle dimensions, reducing setup time and costs, while ensuring optimal support and minimizing wear on the treadmill.

Implementation Method 1

fluid channels for minimizing wear and optimizing support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid film lubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2533030B1Moving belt system for vehicle test bench

Publication Date: 2017.01.11 MAHA AIP

AI summary

The belt unit has rising units (4) arranged below an upper strand of a continuous drive belt. A stationary support element (5) and an adjustable support element (6) are provided between rollers (3) below the upper strand for supporting the drive belt. The rising units are in connection with the adjustable support element such that the rising units together with the adjustable support element are adjusted. The adjustable support element has a projection arranged in a holder of the stationary support element, where the holder is attached to the projection. An independent claim is also included for a method for determination of forces in a z-direction of a motor vehicle by a motor vehicle test bench.