Spring Stand Assembly for Vehicle Damping Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle testing systems face challenges in accurately analyzing a vehicle's performance due to inconsistent tire damping behavior, which changes with use and temperature, making it difficult to measure true performance during dynamic testing.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle testing apparatus that uses a spring stand assembly supported by an actuator, allowing direct attachment to the vehicle frame without wheels or tires, utilizing a pivot arm and biasing member to simulate road conditions and provide consistent damping similar to rotating tires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tire-based testing is used, then the vehicle can be tested under simulated road conditions, but the damping behavior becomes inconsistent and difficult to measure accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tire component from the testing system and replaces it with a spring stand assembly. By removing the tire and using a dedicated spring mechanism instead, the system eliminates the damping inconsistencies caused by tire rolling resistance and temperature sensitivity, while maintaining the ability to simulate road conditions through controlled spring movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the tire's damping function using a spring stand assembly. Instead of using actual tires with complex rolling dynamics, the system uses a spring mechanism that replicates the essential damping behavior in a controlled, measurable, and consistent manner, allowing for accurate measurement of vehicle response to road conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tires are used in the testing system, then the vehicle can experience realistic road conditions, but the vertical stiffness and damping change unfavorably with use and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tire from the system and replaces it with a spring stand assembly that provides consistent vertical stiffness and damping. This extraction eliminates the temperature and use-dependent property changes inherent in tires, while the spring mechanism continues to simulate road conditions through controlled displacement and force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring mechanism where the stiffness and damping parameters can be precisely controlled and maintained at consistent values. By changing from the non-linear, temperature-dependent tire properties to the more stable spring properties, the system maintains reliable testing conditions while still adapting to simulate various road scenarios through controlled spring movement.
3Ease of operation
If actual tires are used for testing, then the vehicle can be tested with real-world components, but the damping effect is insufficient when rolling compared to when stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rolling tire component and replaces it with a spring stand assembly that maintains consistent damping regardless of motion state. The spring mechanism provides reliable damping effect whether the vehicle is stationary or moving, eliminating the variability inherent in tire rolling resistance and ensuring consistent testing conditions.
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 approach reduces damping inconsistencies, enabling more realistic and repeatable dynamic test results by mimicking tire behavior without the need for actual tires, thus improving the accuracy of vehicle performance analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is releasably coupled to the pivot arm and is configured to support the pivot arm when in the first position
Implementation Method 2
the actuator is configured to move the vehicle in response to a computer-generated signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for testing a vehicle. The apparatus includes an actuator and a stand assembly supported by the actuator. The stand assembly includes a coupling device configured to attach to a vehicle, and the actuator is configured to move the vehicle in response to a computer-generated signal.