Patent GB-951606-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus and a method for testing pneumatic tyres
Inventor: GOUGH VERNON ERIC
IPC: G01M17/02
Filed: 1959-08-13
Abstract: 951,606. Strain measurement. DUNLOP RUBBER CO. Ltd. Aug. 8, 1960 [Aug. 13, 1959], No. 27656/59. Heading G1N. [Also in Division B7] Cornering force and self-aligning torque set up by a rotating pneumatic tyre is measured by an apparatus (see Division B7) comprising a frame 12 in which a cage 2 is suspended by means of four vertical tension links 13-16 and four horizontal tension links 17-20 each of which includes an electric resistance strain gauge, the cage 2 having a cylindrical drum 1 rotatably mounted horizontally therein so that its uppermost portion may be contacted by the tyre which is rotatably supported on the frame with its axis parallel to, and movable towards, that of the drum 1, whereby when the tyre is rotated in contact with the drum the gauges in the vertical links 13-16 provide a measure of the vertical loading on the drum, and the gauges in the horizontal links, suitably arranged to form the arms of bridge circuits 137, 138, Fig. 11, provide a measure of the cornering force and aligning torque set up on the drum. Computation and indication of the Cornering Force, Self-Aligning Torque, and Steering Pull is effected by the electronic system shown in Fig. 11. Assuming T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4  to be the tensions set up in the horizontal links 17, 18, 19, 20 respectively, then Cornering Force is proportional to (T 1  + T 2 ) - (T 3  + T 4 ), Self-Aligning Torque is proportional to (T 1  + T 3 ) - (T 2  + T 4 ) and Steering Pull Cornering Force - K(Self-Aligning Torque) where K is a constant for a given size of tyre deflected to a given extent. The respective strain gauges in the links 17-20 are arranged appropriately in the bridge circuits 137, 138 to provide the desired relationship, each bridge circuit output being passed through an amplifier 140(141) and phase-sensitive rectifier 142(143) to a meter 144(145). These outputs are then passed to a Steering Pull Computer 146 which comprises an additive stage and a potentiometer, set automatically by a cam 122 (not shown) to give the constant K appropriate to the tyre under test. Grading of the tyre is effected in terms of the mean of the maximum and minimum values of steering pull, and of the range of variation in the values, all during one revolution of the tyre. For this purpose the output from the computer 146 is passed to an analyser 157 the components of which are shown in Fig.13. The respective steering pull mean and range outputs are then passed to limit amplifier circuits 173 and 175 which each comprise different relays controlled by variable potentiometers to operate at predetermined levels appropriate to the tyre under test and thereby illuminate the appropriate one of a set of indicator lamps 174 showing the tyre grading. In operation, the tyre is driven to rotate the drum through two revolutions in each direction at six revolutions per minute and the inputs to the strain gauge signal amplifiers 140 and 141 are short circuited for the first revolution of the tyre in each direction to permit full build-up of the strains. Immediately before the second revolution these short-circuits are removed and the rectifiers 160,162 of the steering pull analyser (Fig. 13) are momentarily shorted to discharge the condensers 161,163. Grading of the tyre is then effected on the basis of the second revolution in each of the two directions with the lamps 174 in circuit only on the final revolution. A similar computing, analysing and indicating circuit is provided for the vertical loading of the drum as measured by the gauges in the links 13-16. Specification 951, 605 is referred to.