Road Simulation Test Stand with Tilting Wheel Contact Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test stands require vehicle-specific excitation signals and are not invariant to design changes, limiting their applicability to different vehicle types and variants, and they often restrict simulation to one-dimensional excitation, which is insufficient for realistic load simulation.
Innovation Solution
A test stand design that incorporates vehicle wheels into wheel contact plates, allowing multi-dimensional excitation forces to be applied via the wheel contact point, using actuators that move and rotate the contact plates to simulate real road interactions, independent of vehicle type or variant, thereby enabling realistic simulation of forces and loads across various vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional test stands use vehicle-specific excitation signals determined through iterative test track measurements, then the simulation accuracy for a specific vehicle type is improved, but the device complexity and time required for testing increases when transitioning to different vehicle types or variants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses measured road profiles from test tracks as excitation signals directly, copying the actual road geometry data to drive the actuators. This eliminates the need for iterative determination of excitation signals for each vehicle type, as the road profile measurements serve as universal excitation inputs that can be applied across different vehicle configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The test stand is designed with a universal excitation signal generation system that can accommodate different vehicle types and variants without requiring vehicle-specific signal determination. The same road profile measurement data can be used to generate excitation signals for multiple vehicle configurations, making the testing process invariant to design changes.
2Reliability
If conventional test stands require repeated test track measurements for each vehicle variant, then the simulation is tailored to specific vehicle characteristics, but the productivity and development efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies actual road profile data directly to the test stand actuators, creating a universal excitation source that maintains simulation fidelity across different vehicle variants without requiring repeated measurements. The road geometry itself serves as the excitation signal, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific iterative determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The road profile measurements are performed in advance during normal test track operations, and these measurements serve as pre-determined excitation signals for subsequent testing of multiple vehicle variants. This preliminary capture of road data eliminates the need for repeated measurements when testing different vehicles.
3Volume of stationary object
If test stands use wheel contact plates with actuators for force introduction, then the structural volume is reduced, but the ability to simulate multi-dimensional excitation forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tilting capability to the wheel contact plates, adding rotational degrees of freedom to the otherwise linear actuator system. This allows the contact plates to simulate multi-dimensional road excitations including pitch and roll movements, transforming a one-dimensional linear actuation system into a multi-dimensional excitation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel contact plates are designed with dynamic tilting capability, allowing them to change orientation in response to simulated road conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to introduce longitudinal, lateral, and vertical forces through the tilted contact interface, providing versatile multi-dimensional excitation.
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
This design allows for realistic simulation of forces and loads on vehicles, including longitudinal, side, and vertical forces, without the need for vehicle-specific excitation signals, making it variant-compatible and reducing the structural volume of the test stand while enabling faster and more efficient 'drive signal iteration'.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actuator, connected at one side to the foundation of the test stand and at the other side to the wheel contact plate, for moving the wheel contact plate along a first axis, preferably along the vertical axis
Implementation Method 2
the at least one actuator being connected to the wheel contact plate in such a way that the wheel contact plate is rotatable about a first preferably horizontally running tilting axis
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a test stand (100) for the simulation of forces and moments introduced into a motor vehicle or into parts of a motor vehicle during driving operation. In order to allow a simulation of road journeys which is as realistic as possible, it being possible at the same time to dispense with vehicle-specific excitation or activation signals, there is provision, according to the invention, whereby the test stand (100) has at least one wheel contact plate (2) for receiving a vehicle wheel (1) and at least one first actuator (3a, 3b), connected at one side to the foundation (101) of the test stand (100) and at the other side to the wheel contact plate (2), for moving the wheel contact plate (2) along a first axis (L1), preferably along the vertical axis, relative to the foundation (101) of the test stand (100). The at least one first actuator (3a, 3b) is connected to the wheel contact plate (2) in such a way that the wheel contact plate (2) is rotatable about a first preferably horizontally running tilting axis (K1). Furthermore, the test stand (100) has at least one second actuator (4, 5), engaging on the wheel contact plate (2), for rotating the wheel contact plate (2) about the first preferably horizontally running tilting axis (K1). The at least one first actuator (3a, 3b) is connected to the wheel contact plate (2) via a joint arrangement (9) which allows a rotational movement of the wheel contact plate (2) relative to the foundation (101) of the test stand (100).