Patent ID: 6035720
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A method for simulating an impression subjectively perceived by an occupant of a vehicle when the vehicle is being operated, the method comprising the acts of:registering primary oscillations which are perceived subjectively and are produced when the vehicle which is being investigated is operated;acquiring data for generating secondary oscillations from the primary oscillations, and converting said data into the secondary oscillations;using the secondary oscillations to operate a simulation unit which simulates at least representationally in certain areas the vehicle being investigated, wherein the simulation unit is elastically mounted with respect to a floor on which the simulation unit is positioned;wherein the act of using the secondary oscillations to operate the simulation unit comprises the acts of:extracting from the primary oscillations vibrations which are perceivable through the human body and converting said vibrations into vibration oscillations;inducing the vibration oscillations at at least one location of the simulation unit, from which said induced vibration oscillations are transmitted into at least one of a seat and steering wheel, wherein an oscillation exciter used to the vibration oscillations in the seat oscillates freely with respect to the simulation unit; andselectively changing specific frequencies of the vibration oscillations.