Patent ID: 6044696
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
Apparatus for testing and evaluating the performance of an automobile including a frame and wheel shafts under simulated conditions with the automobile not being supported by tires, said apparatus comprising, in combination:torque applicator means for attachment to wheel shafts of an automobile to support the automobile by said wheel shafts when attached thereto and independently apply torque forces to said wheel shafts;movable support means supporting said torque applicator means;force applicator means for connection to said automobile at a location on said automobile spaced from said wheel shafts to apply forces to the automobile at said location;control means operatively associated with said torque applicator means and with said force applicator means for selectively varying the torque forces applied by said torque applicator means to the wheel shafts when attached thereto and for varying the forces applied to said automobile at said location by said force applicator, said torque applicator means comprising a plurality of torque applicators for attachment to the wheel shafts controlled by said control means, and said movable support means comprising a plurality of movable supports, each of said movable supports supporting a torque applicator and independently movable relative to the other of said movable supports; andmover means operatively associated with said independently movable supports to move said movable supports up and down independently of one another during testing and evaluation of said automobile to simulate road or race track surface conditions.