Patent ID: 6516657
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B60G,G01M

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring dynamic load characteristics of wheels, in a vehicle suspension system, said apparatus comprising:a shock absorber provided between a main body of a vehicle and a side of a wheel, a spring provided between an upper seat member connected to a main body side of said shock absorber and a lower seat secured to the side of a wheel, the upper seat member having a first recess; said upper seat member comprising a first attachment secured to said main body side of said shock absorber and a second attachment for receiving an upper end of said spring; a washer-type strain sensor, said washer-type strain sensor being of a piezoelectric material, and a single, separate element separately incorporated between said first and second attachments, in such a manner that said washer-type strain sensor directly receives a force from a road surface by means of said spring, said washer-type strain sensor having a second recess, enabling a deformation of the washer-type strain sensor into the first recess of the upper seat member; a sensor for detecting a vehicle speed; a sensor for detecting a steering angle; a sensor for detecting a gravitational acceleration (G) in the lateral direction and a gravitational acceleration (G) in the longitudinal direction; a sensor for detecting a yawing angle of the wheel; a sensor for detecting a damper stroke; and a sensor that receives signals from these sensors to measure a change in a rolling caused by the shifting amount of dynamic load of the wheel, cornering performance of a test tire for respective dynamic loads, and a marginal coefficient of friction between the tire and a road surface.