Method and apparatus for direct measurement of axial axle loads

Abstract

The axial or grip force between at least one wheel of a vehicle and a ground surface, wherein the wheel is mounted on an upright and carried by an axle, is directly measured. The axle is radially supported in the upright by roller bearings. The lateral load is supported by the use of thrust bearings. Disposed between the axle lateral thrust bearing assembly and the upright is a force sensor. The force sensor directly registers axial force on the axle with respect to the upright. Lateral (or axial) output force signals from the force sensor can be sent directly to a readout device or can be sent to a processor, for example, for treatment. Such a design results in isolating the axial or lateral force vector placed on the axle, which carries the wheel and tire assembly, and, thus, the directly measuring the grip force of the tire.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.