Movable Vehicle Support for Faster Chassis Test Bench Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current chassis test benches face challenges in efficiently positioning vehicles due to the need for precise alignment in all three spatial axes, which is complicated by the vehicle becoming non-drivable after adapter devices are fitted, leading to lengthy setup and dismantling times.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle support system with two longitudinal supports connected via a diagonal bracing, equipped with supporting plates and adapter devices, allows for pre-attachment of adapter devices to the vehicle's wheel hubs, enabling the vehicle to be positioned and aligned relative to the test bench using a moveable vehicle support, thereby simplifying the connection to the load apparatus and reducing setup and dismantling times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle is lifted onto a lifting platform for adapter device connection, then the connection of adapter device to wheel hubs can be established, but the orientation of the vehicle in the direction of travel remains problematic and expensive lifting platforms that can be moved in the direction of travel must be used
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting platform is segmented into a stationary base structure and a movable vehicle support unit. The vehicle support can be positioned and adjusted independently on the lifting platform, allowing the platform itself to remain simple and stationary while providing the necessary elevation and positioning capabilities for adapter device connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle support is prepared in advance with adjustable supporting plates and positioning mechanisms before the vehicle arrives. This preliminary configuration allows the vehicle to be quickly positioned and connected to adapter devices without requiring complex real-time adjustments of the lifting platform during the connection process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If expensive lifting platforms that can be moved in the direction of travel are used, then the vehicle orientation can be adjusted, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle support incorporates adjustable supporting plates that can be moved along the longitudinal supports to adapt to different vehicle wheelbases. This dynamic adjustment capability provides versatility in accommodating various vehicle orientations and dimensions without requiring the entire lifting platform to be movable in the direction of travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle support acts as an intermediary device between the stationary lifting platform and the vehicle. It provides the necessary orientation adjustment and positioning functions locally at the vehicle level, eliminating the need for the lifting platform itself to have complex movement capabilities in the direction of travel.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle is positioned on a stationary lifting platform, then the adapter device connection can be established, but the setting-up time and dismantling time are far too long
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle support is pre-configured with supporting plates positioned at standard locations corresponding to typical vehicle wheel hubs. This preliminary setup allows the vehicle to be quickly driven onto the support and connected to adapter devices without time-consuming adjustments or reconfigurations of the lifting platform during the setup process.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting plates can be quickly adjusted along the longitudinal supports to accommodate different vehicle types and wheelbases. This dynamic adjustability enables rapid reconfiguration between different testing scenarios, significantly reducing both setup time and dismantling time while maintaining ease of adapter device connection.
Data Source
AI summary
Test benches are known on which vehicles have to be brought in on lifting platforms or independently and prepared for connection to the load apparatus.In order to shorten the existing setting-up time and dismantling time on the test bench, the use of a vehicle support (10) for a chassis test bench (80) with two longitudinal supports (12, 14), a connecting apparatus via which the two longitudinal supports (12, 14) are connected to each other, supporting plates (56), of which first supporting plates (56) are arranged on the first longitudinal support (12) and second supporting plates (56) are arranged on the second longitudinal support (14), and adapter devices (62) which are arranged on the supporting plates (56) and serve to provide a connection between a wheel hub (64) of a vehicle (60) and a load apparatus (66) is suggested, wherein at least two wheels (78) are mounted on each longitudinal support (12, 14) by means of which the vehicle support (10) can be moved.