Test Roller Roadway Covering Elastic Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional road surface elements on roller test stands are not uniformly and firmly attached, leading to unwanted vibrations and noise during acoustic measurements of motor vehicle tires, and the process of changing these elements is complex and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A test stand roller with a road surface element that can be elastically deformed to match the shape of the roller's outer surface, providing additional mechanical stress and a secure fixation through fastening means, such as screws or non-positive fastening devices, to prevent lifting and vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional road surface elements are fixed using only screw connections, then the installation process is simple, but the fixation is insufficient under centrifugal forces causing lifting and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidfixation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The road surface element is pre-deformed into a horseshoe shape with a smaller radius than the roller shell before installation. This preliminary deformation allows the element to be easily placed onto the roller and then, when expanded to match the roller's radius, it generates radial tension that firmly secures it against centrifugal forces during rotation, eliminating lifting and vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If multiple individual lining shells are fastened one behind the other, then the road surface element can cover the entire roller surface, but the installation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple separate lining shells that must be individually installed and aligned, the invention uses a single continuous road surface element made from one piece of sheet material. This element can be deformed into a horseshoe shape for installation and then expanded to cover the entire roller surface, significantly reducing installation complexity and time while maintaining full coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the road surface element is tightly fitted to the roller shell, then vibrations and noise are reduced, but the installation and replacement process becomes more time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and vibrationsVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the road surface element by deforming it into a horseshoe shape with a smaller radius than the roller shell. This parameter change allows for quick installation since the element is easier to handle in its deformed state, and after installation, it is expanded to match the roller's radius, creating a tight fit that eliminates vibrations and noise during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures a firm and even attachment of the road surface element, reducing unwanted noise and vibrations, and allows for quick and efficient installation and replacement of the elements, facilitating faster testing across different road conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The roadway covering element (5) can be elastically or partially elastically deformed when mounted on the outer lateral surface (4a) of the roller shell element (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least one fastening means (7, 9) for fixing the roadway covering element (5) on the outer lateral surface (4a) of the roller shell element (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2784469B1Test bench roller with a roadway covering element
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 AIP GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2784469B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2784469B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2784469B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The roller (1) has a roller coating element (4), and a carriageway lining element (5) mounted on an outer casing surface (4a) of the coating element. A roller side wall element (3) is connected with the coating element. The lining element has a surface contour (5a) that reproduces surface finish of a carriageway lining. The lining element has form that is different from form of the lining element in a non-mounted condition. The lining element is designed with additional mechanical stress in mounted condition with respect to stress condition of the lining element in the non-mounted condition. An independent claim is also included for a method for mounting and/or demounting of a carriageway lining element.