Patent ID: 6327526
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring attributes of a vehicle during a certain inertial event, said vehicle having a plurality of tires and a suspension assembly, said apparatus comprising:a test platform on which said vehicle is placed and which is selectively and rotatably positionable in an angular position based upon said certain inertial event;a plurality of load sensors which are each disposed under a unique one of said plurality of tires and which provide data regarding loads exerted by said plurality of tires;a plurality of actuators which are attached to said suspension assembly and which are adapted to selectively hold said suspension assembly in certain position; anda compensation assembly which is attached to said test platform and to said vehicle, said compensation assembly being effective to selectively provide a force to said vehicle that compensates for a loss of gravitational force that is experienced by said vehicle when said test platform resides in said angular position, thereby cooperating with said test platform to accurately replicate forces that were imparted upon said vehicle during said certain inertial event and allowing said attributes to be measured.