Portable Chassis Dynamometer with Transverse Roller Arrangement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile testing devices with chassis dynamometers face challenges in simulating real road conditions, are bulky, difficult to transport, and lack the ability to maintain confidentiality and test light vehicles efficiently, while also failing to simulate altimetric and climatic conditions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A compact, portable test device with a road frame on wheels, featuring a dynamometer with inertial rollers and dynamic means that include an electric machine and eddy current brake, allowing for adjustable torque simulation and climatic control, enabling testing under various conditions and maintaining confidentiality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the rollers and dynamic means are housed in a pit and assembled coaxially, then the simulation of road conditions is achieved, but the device becomes bulky with a length of about 4 meters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation of road conditionsVSAvoiddevice length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a longitudinal coaxial arrangement (length dimension) to a transverse arrangement where rollers and dynamic means are positioned side-by-side. This dimensional change reduces the device length from 4 meters to approximately 2.5 meters while maintaining all simulation functions through proper mechanical coupling and power transmission across the transverse axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the eddy current brake is used to simulate resistance, then the simulation accuracy is improved, but the response time to commands is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dual-mode dynamic system where the electric machine provides rapid response for transient commands and the eddy current brake provides accurate steady-state resistance simulation. The system dynamically switches between or combines these two modes based on operational requirements, achieving both fast response and high simulation accuracy that neither component could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the test device is located at service providers, then accessibility is improved, but confidentiality of vehicle projects is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidconfidentiality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional fixed mechanical test bench with a mobile platform that can be transported to customer premises. This mobility substitution allows the testing to occur at the customer's location rather than requiring the customer to bring the vehicle to a service provider, thereby maintaining accessibility while ensuring project confidentiality through controlled testing environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed test device is installed, then testing capability is provided, but installation cost and transport requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidinstallation and transport cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamically adaptable testing system mounted on a mobile platform with wheels. This dynamic configuration allows the device to be easily transported between locations and repositioned as needed, eliminating the high installation costs and transport requirements of fixed test devices while maintaining full testing capability through the complete chassis dynamometer system.

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 a compact, portable, and confidential testing environment that can simulate real road conditions, including altimetric and climatic conditions, effectively, while accommodating all vehicle types and reducing installation and transportation costs.

Implementation Method 1

the rollers are coupled to an eddy current brake which simulates the resistance to forward movement at constant speed and the possible excess of mass of the vehicle compared to that simulated by the moment of inertia of the rollers during the acceleration of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 2

The rollers are also coupled to an electric machine which simulates the possible excess mass of the vehicle during braking and the possible deficit of mass of the vehicle during acceleration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

The rollers have a moment of inertia which corresponds to a certain mass of the vehicle. When the engine of a vehicle having such a mass during tests is controlled to accelerate the speed of rotation of its driving wheels, the rollers oppose this acceleration a reaction torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoment of inertia: Moment of Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP2857821B1Test device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 V MOTECH
  • EP2857821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857821B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2857821B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a

AI summary

The test device (1) includes means configured for testing a vehicle (80). The test device (1) includes a test bench (2) comprising at least one roller (R1) rotating about its own axis and dynamic means arranged to transmit to the at least one roller (R1) a torque simulating at least partially the road reaction for the vehicle (80) being tested. The dynamic means include an electric machine (M) and a charging machine, in particular an eddy current brake (F) capable of operating simultaneously.