US 11,029,234 B2Granted

Method for testing interaction points of vehicle components by means of a vehicle test apparatus and such test apparatus

AssigneeVolvo Truck Corporation

InventorMagnus Svensson

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Abstract

The invention relates to a method for testing an interaction point of vehicle components such as bushings or joints by means of a vehicle test apparatus (1), wherein the vehicle test apparatus (1) comprises a test apparatus control unit (2), at least one vehicle wheel support (3) movable in a horizontal plane, and means for monitoring (4) bushings or joints. The vehicle wheel support (3) and the means for monitoring (4) are controllable by means of the test apparatus control unit (2). The method comprises the step of: determining interaction point of vehicle components such as bushing or joints to be tested, and the following steps performed by means of the test apparatus control unit (2); selecting testing sequence based on determined interaction point of vehicle components such as bushing or joint to be tested, controlling movement of the vehicle wheel support (3) in at least a first direction in the horizontal plane according to the selected testing sequence, monitoring interaction point of vehicle components such as bushing or joint behaviour by means of the means for monitoring (4), and collecting measurement data from the means for monitoring (4). The invention also relates to a vehicle test apparatus (1) configured to executed the method of the invention.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for testing behaviour of interaction points of vehicle components by a vehicle test apparatus comprising a test apparatus control unit, a vehicle wheel support movable in a horizontal plane, and a monitor, the vehicle wheel support and the monitor controllable by the test apparatus control unit, the method comprises:

identifying, at the test apparatus control unit, vehicle model and interaction point to be tested, the interaction point comprising a bushing or joint arranged between interacting vehicle components;
providing, to the test apparatus control unit, a set of testing sequences, each testing sequence defining a sequence of movements of the vehicle wheel support and further defining direction of respective movement, force applied in respective direction of movement and length of stroke of respective movement, wherein each of the testing sequences is configured to expose a specific bushing or joint, and/or the linkage of that bushing or joint, to loads or forces defined in direction, magnitude and length of stroke which are sufficient for revealing a play due to wear at that specific bushing or joint;
and
selecting, by the test apparatus control unit, a specific testing sequence based on the identified vehicle model and interaction point to be tested;
controlling, by the test apparatus control unit, movement of the vehicle wheel support in at least a first direction in the horizontal plane according to the selected specific testing sequence,
monitoring, by the test apparatus control unit, behaviour of the bearing or joint to be tested by the monitor, and
collecting, by the test apparatus control unit, measurement data from the monitor.

4 more elements

A vehicle test apparatus for testing behaviour of a bushing or joint arranged between interacting vehicle components, the vehicle test apparatus comprises:

a test apparatus control unit
a vehicle wheel support movable in a horizontal plane;
and
a monitor,
wherein the vehicle wheel support and the monitor are controllable by the test apparatus control unit, and
wherein the test apparatus control unit is configured to:
select, based on an identification of vehicle model and which bearing or joint to be tested, a specific testing sequence for the bearing or joint to be tested, wherein a set of testing sequences is provided, each testing sequence defining a sequence of movements of the vehicle wheel support and further defining direction of respective movement, force applied in respective direction of movement and length of stroke of respective movement, wherein each of the testing sequences is designed to expose a specific bushing or joint, and/or the linkage of that bushing or joint, to loads or forces defined in direction, magnitude and length of stroke which are sufficient for revealing a play due to wear at that specific bushing or joint;
control movement of the vehicle wheel support in at least a first direction in the horizontal plane according to the selected specific testing sequence;
monitor behaviour of the bearing or joint by the monitor;
and
collect measurement data from the monitor.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/049,948Filed 23 Apr 2018
Published: US 2021/0088413 A125 Mar 2021
Granted: 8 Jun 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G01M 17/0074
The wheels of the vehicle co-operating with rotatable rolls: details, e.g. roller construction, vehicle restraining devices
G01M 5/0075
Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings: by means of external apparatus, e.g. test benches or…
G01M 17/04
Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles: suspension or damping
G01M
Testing static or dynamic balance of machines or structures

Family

US 2021/0088413 A1Pre-grant publication · published 25 Mar 2021
US 11,029,234 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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