Test system for dynamically analyzing a vehicle under simulated road conditions

An apparatus for testing a vehicle, comprising:

• a base;
• a pivot arm pivotably coupled to the base and configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to a pivot axis of the base, the pivot arm being substantially parallel to a transverse axis of the base when in the first position;
• a biasing member releasably coupled to the pivot arm, the biasing member being configured to support the pivot arm when in the first position and to extend and compress along a vertical axis in response to movement of the vehicle;
• and
• a coupling device configured to attach to a vehicle, the coupling device being suspended from the pivot arm and configured to allow the movement of the vehicle.

An apparatus for testing a vehicle, comprising:

• an actuator configured to move the vehicle in response to a computer-generated signal;
• a stand assembly supported by the actuator, the stand assembly comprising a coupling device configured to attach to the vehicle;
• a biasing member configured to extend and compress along a vertical axis in response to the movement of the vehicle by the actuator;
• and
• a controller coupled to the actuator, the controller including an output and being configured to generate the computer-generated signal to the actuator to cause the vehicle to move in response thereto.

A method for testing a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vehicle testing apparatus comprising an actuator configured to move the vehicle, a biasing member configured to extend and compress along a vertical axis ins response to the movement of the vehicle and a stand assembly supported by the actuator and including a coupling device configured to attached to the vehicle;
• generating a signal to the actuator to cause the vehicle to move through a displacement pattern;
• and
• evaluating the movement of the vehicle by analyzing the displacement of the actuator.

An apparatus for testing a vehicle, comprising:

• an actuator configured to move the vehicle in response to a computer-generated signal;
• a stand assembly supported by the actuator, the stand assembly including a coupling device configured to attach to the vehicle and a pivot arm configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to a pivot axis of the stand assembly;
• and
• a spring releasably coupled to the pivot arm and configured to support the pivot arm when located at the first position.

An apparatus for testing a vehicle, comprising:

• a base;
• a pivot arm pivotably coupled to the base and configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to a pivot axis of the base, the pivot arm being substantially parallel to a transverse axis of the base when in the first position;
• a spring releasably coupled to the pivot arm and configured to support the pivot arm when in the first position;
• and
• a coupling device configured to attach to a vehicle, the coupling device being suspended from the pivot arm and configured to allow movement of the vehicle.

An apparatus for testing a vehicle, comprising:

• an actuator;
• a stand assembly supported by the actuator, the stand assembly comprising a coupling device configured to attach to the vehicle;
• and
• a controller coupled to the actuator, the controller including an output and being configured to generate a sine wave signal that produces a constant peak vertical velocity to the actuator to cause the vehicle to move in response thereto.

A method for testing a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an actuator, the actuator configured to support a stand assembly attached to the vehicle;
• causing a computer to generate a sine wave signal to the actuator to cause the vehicle to move through a displacement pattern, the sine wave signal including an amplitude configured to produce a constant peak vertical velocity;
• and
• evaluating the movement of the vehicle by analyzing the displacement of the actuator.