Mts Systems Corporation

William J Langer

Yevsey Gutman

A roadway simulator restraint system supports a vehicle at each of its wheels on simulated roadways which comprise endless belts suitably driven to cause wheel rotation. A plurality of passive links are provided for restraining the vehicle in longitudinal, lateral, and yaw degrees of freedom, while permitting free motion in roll and pitch moments, and vertical directions. Additionally, the linkages can provide inputs in aerodynamic force directions to simulate responses to vehicle dynamics during actual operation. The individual roadways that support the wheels can be independently controlled as to speed, and can be turned. Suitable force measurements are made in desired axes to provide for a complete controlled simulation of vehicle operation on an actual roadway.

Roadway simulator restraint

A vehicle restraint system for testing vehicles has vehicle restraint linkages which couple to a vehicle mounted on a simulated roadway to provide restraint in selected axes and to permit freedom of movement in other axes in a manner that permits the automobile to react as it would when being driven over an actual roadway. The restraint system is made to combine and limit lateral, longitudinal and yaw motions with a minimum effect on the handling properties in other axes of movement. The restraint system includes selective, active servo positioning in the restrained axes so that the position of the vehicle can be maintained so that the vehicle tires are kept within a load support area of the simulated roadway without substantially affecting the vehicle handling properties. The linkages used are operated through actuators that can also be used as passive restraints, that is, providing a spring force to maintain the vehicle in a desired location. The action of the restraint linkages is through the center of gravity of the vehicle. The three restrained axes are decoupled from each other so that the restraint in each axis does not substantially affect the other axes. Precise simulation of effects on a vehicle of a roadway can thus be obtained.

Roadway loading simulator

An iterative spline function controlled positioning mechanism such as a machine tool. A movable element of the machine tool is driven about a plurality of axes under computer control along a path formed by a plurality of sections. Each of the path sections is represented in parametric form by spline functions. The element is driven through a plurality of intermediate positions approximating positions on the path sections. An iterative algorithm implemented by the computer permits efficient computation of the intermediate positions.

Iterative spline function controlled positioning mechanism

A robot arm and wrist assembly provides a plurality of movable arm sections having a tool supporting wrist at the outer end. The arm has two sections that are pivotally mounted together for movement about horizontal axes, and it can be rotated about a vertical axis. The wrist is all hydraulically operated, and provides movement about three mutually perpendicular axes which intersect at a common point. The overall assembly is light, reliable, and easily programmed for remote control. The robot arms can be controlled by external force, velocity or position sensors in a closed loop system.

Robot arm and wrist assembly

The flat belt tire tester which permits mounting a wheel and tire to be tested about an axis positioned above a flat belt, and has framework and controls for lowering the tire into contact with the belt under desired loads, using desired adjustments for camber and steering. The belt is powered, and can thus be used for testing the tire under simulated road conditions. The mounting framework and belt mounting construction of the present invention provides substantial rigidity through having the mounting frame geometry properly oriented in relation to the contact surface of the belt and also by providing a stiff frame for the belt mounting drums or pulleys.

Flat belt tire tester

A bearing support for a flexible belt used on a tire testing machine wherein the belt forms the simulated road surface. The bearing is a hydrodynamic bearing which insures low friction between the belt and its support underneath the tire being tested.

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

William J Langer