Hexapod Tire Test Stand With Flat Belt Road Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire testing stands struggle to accurately simulate the tire's reaction to different load conditions and chassis kinematics when driving on a road, particularly due to the use of curved rolling surfaces and symmetrical hexapod arrangements that compromise stiffness and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A tire testing stand incorporating a hexapod arrangement with six linear drive elements and a flat belt section, allowing precise positioning and movement of the tire, replicating real-world chassis kinematics by combining a hexapod arrangement with a flat belt section to simulate road conditions accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a curved rolling surface (drum) is used in the tire test stand, then the tire can be brought into contact and roll on the surface, but the simulation of real chassis kinematics and tire reaction to load conditions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reverse of this principle by using a flat belt section instead of a curved drum surface. The flat belt section (11) between the guide rollers (13) provides a planar rolling surface that better simulates real road conditions, eliminating the need for large-radius curved drums while maintaining simulation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat belt section acts as an intermediary between the tire and the test stand frame, providing a realistic road surface simulation. The belt transfers the rolling motion and load conditions from the tire to the measurement system while maintaining accurate kinematic representation.
2Measurement precision
If a symmetrical hexapod arrangement is used, then the structure appears balanced, but the stiffness is compromised and positioning accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetrical hexapod arrangement where the six linear drive elements (21) are positioned with different orientations and lengths. This asymmetrical configuration optimizes the stiffness characteristics in critical directions while maintaining the ability to position the tire holder (7) accurately in three-dimensional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The hexapod arrangement provides locally optimized stiffness through the specific configuration of linear drive elements. Each element is positioned to provide maximum stiffness in the direction where it is most needed, rather than uniform stiffness in all directions.
3Loss of energy
If a flat belt section is used instead of a curved drum, then rolling resistance is reduced and road simulation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling surface is segmented into a flat belt section (11) between the guide rollers (13), separating the function of road simulation from the function of driving the tire. This segmentation allows the use of a simple flat belt for rolling while using the guide rollers and belt drive unit for motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical drum system with a belt and guide roller system. The flat belt section provides the rolling surface while the belt drive unit (19) and guide rollers (13) provide the necessary motion control, reducing rolling resistance and improving road simulation accuracy.
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 combination of a hexapod arrangement and a flat belt section enables a more accurate simulation of tire reactions to different load conditions and chassis kinematics, surpassing the limitations of prior art by reducing rolling resistance and improving positional accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
When the tire and the flat belt section are in contact and the belt is moved relative to the tire, the tire rolls along the flat belt section
Implementation Method 2
the linear drive elements of the hexapod assembly can be adjusted to bring the tire into contact
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a tire test stand (1) with a frame (5); a tire holder (7); a hexapod assembly (9) with six linear drive elements (21), wherein the first end (23) of each of the six linear drive elements (21) is attached to the frame (5) and the second end (25) is attached to the tire holder (7), and a tire (27) with a tread (29) can be attached to the tire holder (7) in a rotatable manner about the rotational axis (31) of the tire; a belt (11); and two rotatably mounted deflecting rollers (13). The deflecting rollers (13) are at least partly looped by the belt (11) so that the belt (11) forms a flat belt section (33) between the deflecting rollers (13), and when the tire (27) is rotatably attached to the tire holder (7), the tire (27) can be brought into a contact position, in which the tread (29) of the tire (27) and the flat belt section (33) are in contact with each other, by adjusting the linear drive elements (21) of the hexapod assembly (27). When the tire (27) and the flat belt section (33) are in contact with each other and the belt (11) is moving relative to the tire (27), the tire (27) rolls on the flat belt section (33).