Patent Abstract:
A suspension testing or demonstrating apparatus includes a first section of track having a first undulation that displaces a wheel of the vehicle by a first predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the first undulation. A second section of track is positioned proximate to the first section of track such that the wheel traverses the second section of track after traversing the first section of track. The second section of track includes a second undulation that displaces the wheel of the vehicle by a second predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the second undulation.

Full Description:
[0001]     The present invention relates in general to vehicle suspension testing and demonstrating and more particularly to modular apparatus and techniques for vehicle suspension testing and demonstrating.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Motor vehicle proving grounds are sometimes used to test vehicle suspensions. The proving grounds generally include bumps of various shapes that are formed in the surface of the roadway.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is an important object of the invention to provide modular vehicle suspension testing.  
         [0004]     In one aspect, the invention is embodied in a modular apparatus for testing a suspension of a vehicle. The modular apparatus includes a first undulation that displaces a wheel of the vehicle by a first predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the first undulation. A second undulation is coupled to the first undulation such that the wheel traverses the second undulation after traversing the first undulation. The second undulation displaces the wheel of the vehicle by a second predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the second undulation.  
         [0005]     The apparatus can include a third undulation that is coupled to the second undulation such that the wheel traverses the third undulation after traversing the second undulation. In another embodiment, the third undulation is positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and the second undulations such that another wheel of the vehicle traverses the third undulation.  
         [0006]     The first, second and third undulations can be positioned to induce a pitch or a roll in a chassis of the vehicle. The distance between each of the first, second, and third undulations can be varied. In addition, the shape, width, and height of each of the first, second, and third undulations is variable. In one embodiment, the profile of the first and second undulations is sinusoidal. The distance between the first and the second undulations can be substantially equal to a length of a wheelbase of the vehicle. The first undulation can be substantially the same as the second undulation. Also, at least one of the first and the second undulations is fabricated from rubber, metal, wood, and plastic.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, at least one of the first and the second undulations comprises a surface texture. The apparatus can also include a device, such as an anchor, a tether, or a cleat, for mounting at least one of the first and the second undulations to a road surface. The first and the second undulations can be portable.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, the invention is embodied in a modular apparatus for testing a suspension of a vehicle. The modular apparatus includes a first section of track having a first undulation that displaces a wheel of the vehicle by a first predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the first undulation. The modular apparatus also includes a second section of track that is positioned proximate to the first section of track such that the wheel traverses the second section of track after traversing the first section of track. The second section of track includes a second undulation that displaces the wheel of the vehicle by a second predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the second undulation.  
         [0009]     The first section of track can be coupled to the second section of track. One or both of the first and the second sections of track is substantially in the shape of an arc. One or both of the first and the second sections of track includes multiple undulations. The distance between each of the multiple undulations can be variable. The shape, width, and/or height of each of the multiple undulations can be variable. Each of the first and the second sections of track can include a different number of multiple undulations. The first undulation can be substantially the same as the second undulation. A profile of the first and second undulations can be sinusoidal.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, a distance between the first and the second undulations is substantially equal to a length of a wheelbase of the vehicle. The undulations can be fabricated from rubber, metal, wood, or plastic, for example. The undulations can include a surface texture.  
         [0011]     The apparatus can also include a third section of track having a third undulation. The third section of track can be positioned substantially parallel to the first section of track. The first, second and third undulations can be positioned to induce roll or pitch in a chassis of the vehicle. A device for mounting at least one of the first and the second sections of track to a road surface can also be used. The device can be an anchor, a tether, or a cleat, for example. The mass of the vehicle can secure the sections of track to the road surface. The mass of one of the first and the second sections of track can secure the sections of track to a road surface. The first section of track can be mechanically coupled to the second section of track.  
         [0012]     In another aspect, the invention is embodied in a method of testing a suspension of a vehicle. The method includes positioning a first and a second section of track on a driving surface such that a wheel of the vehicle traverses the second section of track after traversing the first section of track. The first and the second sections of track include a first undulation and a second undulation, respectively. The method also includes maneuvering the vehicle over the first and the second sections of track such that the wheel traverses the first and the second undulations.  
         [0013]     One or both of the sections of track can include multiple undulations. The distance between the first and second sections of track can be varied. In one embodiment, positioning the first and the second sections of track includes positioning the first and the second sections of track such that a distance between the first and the second undulation is substantially equal to a length of a wheelbase of the vehicle.  
         [0014]     In one embodiment, the method further includes positioning a third section of track substantially parallel to the first section of track. The third section of track can include a third undulation. The first, second and third undulations can be positioned to induce roll or pitch in a chassis of the vehicle.  
         [0015]     The method can also include adjusting the height, width and/or shape of at least one of the first, second, and third undulations. A profile of the first and second undulations can be sinusoidal.  
         [0016]     In yet another aspect, the invention is embodied in a vehicle suspension demonstrating apparatus. The vehicle suspension demonstrating apparatus includes a first section of track having a first undulation that displaces a wheel of the vehicle by a first predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the first undulation. The apparatus also includes a second section of track that is positioned proximate to the first section of track such that the wheel traverses the second section of track after traversing the first section of track. The second section of track includes a second undulation that displaces the wheel of the vehicle by a second predetermined amount when the wheel traverses at least a portion of the second undulation.  
         [0017]     In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a third section of track that is positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and the second sections of track such that a second wheel of the vehicle traverses the third section of track. The third section of track includes a third undulation that displaces the second wheel of the vehicle by a third predetermined amount when the second wheel traverses at least a portion of the third undulation.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, the first wheel is located on one side of a chassis of the vehicle and the second wheel is located on an opposite side of the chassis. Two or more of the first, second, and third undulations can be substantially the same. The first, second and third undulations can be positioned to induce roll or pitch in a chassis of the vehicle. A profile of the first and second undulations can be sinusoidal. A distance between the first and the second undulations can be substantially equal to a length of a wheelbase of the vehicle.  
         [0019]     In yet another aspect, the invention is embodied in a method of demonstrating a vehicle suspension. The method includes positioning a first and a second section of track on a driving surface such that a first wheel of a vehicle traverses the second section of track after traversing the first section of track. The first and the second sections of track include a first undulation and a second undulation, respectively. The method also includes maneuvering the vehicle over the first and second sections of track such that the first wheel traverses the first and the second undulations.  
         [0020]     The method can also include positioning a third section of track on the driving surface such that a second wheel of the vehicle traverses the third section. The third section of track can include a third undulation. The third track can be positioned substantially parallel to the first and the second sections of track. In one embodiment, the first wheel is located on one side of a chassis of the vehicle and the second wheel is located on an opposite side of the chassis. Two of the first, second, and third undulations can be substantially the same. The first, second and third undulations can be positioned to induce roll or pitch in a chassis of the vehicle. A profile of the first and second undulations can be sinusoidal. A distance between the first and the second undulations can be substantially equal to a length of a wheelbase of the vehicle.  
         [0021]     In another aspect, the invention is embodied in a manufactured track for vehicle suspension demonstrating. The track includes a first undulation that is formed as part of the road surface. The first undulation displaces a first wheel of a vehicle by a first predetermined amount when the first wheel traverses at least a portion of the first undulation. A second undulation is formed as part of the road surface adjacent to the first undulation such that the first wheel traverses the second undulation after traversing the first undulation. The second undulation displaces the first wheel of the vehicle by a second predetermined amount when the first wheel traverses at least a portion of the second undulation. A third undulation is formed as part of the road surface and is positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and the second undulations such that a second wheel of the vehicle that is located on an opposite side of the vehicle from the first wheel traverses the third undulation. The first, second, and third undulations are positioned to induce at least one of a pitch and a roll in a chassis of the vehicle.  
         [0022]     Two or more of the first, second, and third undulations are substantially the same. Two or more of the first, second and third undulations is at least partially formed on the road surface. One or more of the first, second and third undulations can be removable from the road surface.  
         [0023]     Other features, objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester having sections of track with undulations that couple together according to the invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a section of track having an undulation with variable height according to the invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of a vehicle suspension tester according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a top view of a vehicle suspension tester according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a vehicle suspension tester according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester having multiple sections of track; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester having a substantially circular configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle suspension tester  100  includes multiple sections of track  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 . A section of track is defined as a modular and/or portable track segment that can be moved if necessary. Each section of track  102 - 108  typically includes a single undulation  110 . However, a section of track can include any desired number of undulations. The undulations  110  are shown as substantially sinusoidal-shaped raised areas in  FIG. 1 , but can also include troughs, depressions, ruts, bumps, ramps, or steps, for example. Additionally, the undulations  110  can be fabricated from rubber, metal, wood, plastic, or some combination thereof, for example. A vehicle  112  is shown traversing the vehicle suspension tester  100 .  
         [0033]     The first section of track  102  can be secured to a road surface  116  using anchors  114 . The road surface  116  is defined as any surface on which the vehicle  112  can ride. Other techniques for securing the first section of track  102  can include spikes, bolts, tethers, mass of the track, and the leading edge of the first section of track  102 . For example, the mass of the vehicle  112  will secure the first section of track  102  to the road surface  116  when a wheel  118  of the vehicle  112  begins to traverse the first section of track  102 . In one embodiment, the mass of the first section of track  102  is large enough so that external securing techniques are not required.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, the distance (d 1 )  120  between the midpoint of each undulation  110  is substantially equal to the wheelbase of the vehicle  112 . However, the distance  120  can be any desired distance. The height, width, and shape of one or more of the undulations  110  can also be varied as desired.  
         [0035]     The suspension tester  100  can also include additional sections of track (not shown) that are positioned substantially parallel to the multiple sections of track  102 - 108 . The additional sections of track are generally positioned such that a wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle  112  traverses the additional sections of track when the wheel  118  traverses the multiple sections of track  102 - 108 .  
         [0036]     In operation, the sections of track are positioned on the road surface  116 . The undulations can be arranged to induce roll in the chassis of the vehicle  112 . In another embodiment, the undulations can be arranged to induce pitch in the chassis of the vehicle  112 .  
         [0037]     Once the sections of track are positioned appropriately, the vehicle  112  is maneuvered over the undulations  110 . Passengers in the vehicle  112  can experience movement of the chassis of the vehicle  112  as the wheels traverse the undulations  110 . Vehicles having different suspension systems and/or different suspension components may behave differently as they traverse the vehicle suspension tester  100 .  
         [0038]     The vehicle suspension tester  100  can be used as a modular and/or substantially portable demonstration system to demonstrate vehicle suspensions. For example, the vehicle suspension tester  100  can be used by a sales person at a car dealership as a point-of-sale tool for demonstrating the suspensions of various vehicles. The vehicle suspension tester  100  can be installed on the dealership parking lot so that customers can evaluate the suspension of various vehicles in real world scenarios. Thus, an automobile dealer can allow potential customers to drive or be driven in various vehicles over the vehicle suspension tester  100 . Potential customers could evaluate the suspensions of the vehicles while seated in the various seating positions within the vehicle.  
         [0039]     In one scenario, customers can compare vehicles having active suspensions to vehicles having passive suspensions. The term “active suspension” means any vehicle suspension having a suspension component that is capable of exerting a controlled force between a wheel and a chassis of the vehicle. The term “passive suspension” means any vehicle suspension having only passive suspension components that are not capable of exerting a controlled force between a wheel and a chassis of the vehicle.  
         [0040]     A method of demonstrating a vehicle suspension according to one embodiment of the invention can include first positioning multiple sections of track on the dealership parking lot or any driving surface. The multiple sections of track are positioned so that a first wheel of the vehicle traverses one or more undulations included on each section of track. One or more other sections of track are positioned on the driving surface adjacent to the multiple sections of track so that a second wheel of the vehicle that is located on the opposite side of the vehicle traverses one or more undulations that are included on the other sections of track. The sales person or the customer then maneuvers each vehicle over the sections of track to demonstrate the performance of the suspensions of each vehicle.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester  150  having sections of track with undulations  152  that couple together according to the invention. Once the sections of track are coupled, the distance between undulations is fixed. The sections of track  152  are capable of being coupled together to create different distances (d 1 , d 2 ) between undulations. In one embodiment, the variable distance is achieved using spacer plates  154 ,  156 . The spacer plates  154 ,  156  can be attached to the sections of track  152  using bolts  158 . Other techniques can be used to attach the sections of track  152  to the spacer plates  154 ,  156 .  
         [0042]     In other embodiments, the sections of track  152  are coupled together through a drive mechanism (not shown) such that the distance between the undulations can be independently varied. For example, the drive mechanism can include a worm gear that is attached to a drive motor. The worm gear can be coupled to a section of track such that the drive motor causes the section of track to move toward or away from another section of track.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a section of track  200  having an undulation  202  with variable height. The section of track  200  includes a base plate  204 . Top plates  206 ,  208  are coupled to the base plate  204 . A deformable plate  210 , such as a piece of sheet metal, is positioned between the top plates  206 ,  208  and the base plate  204 . The deformable plate  210  can be a single piece of spring steel or can be multiple pieces of interlocking material.  
         [0044]     A bladder  212  is positioned under the deformable plate  210 . A pump  214  is coupled to the bladder and can fill the bladder with gas or fluid, for example. The height of the undulation is varied by adjusting the volume of fluid inside the bladder  212 . For example, when the fluid fills the bladder  212 , the height of the undulation increases as the deformable plate  210  rises.  
         [0045]     Other techniques can also be used to vary the height of the undulation  202 . For example, a hydraulic actuator can be positioned under the deformable plate  210 . In another embodiment, a mechanical scissor jack is positioned under the deformable plate  210 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of a vehicle suspension tester  250  according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle suspension tester  250  includes a first section of track  252  having multiple undulations  254 . A second section of track  256  is positioned parallel to the first section of track  252 . The second section of track  256  includes multiple undulations  258 . The undulations  254 ,  258  are aligned so as to induce pitch in the chassis of a vehicle as the wheels of the vehicle are maneuvered over the vehicle suspension tester  250 . One or more rigid members  260  are coupled between the first  252  and the second sections of track  256 . The rigid members  260  provide stability between the first  252  and the second sections of track  256  as the vehicle traverses the vehicle suspension tester  250 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a top view of a vehicle suspension tester  250 ′ according to another embodiment of the invention. The vehicle suspension tester  250 ′ includes a first section of track  262  having multiple undulations  264 . A second section of track  266  is positioned parallel to the first section of track  262 . The second section of track  266  includes multiple undulations  268 . The undulations  264 ,  268  are aligned so as to induce roll in the chassis of a vehicle as the wheels of the vehicle are maneuvered over the vehicle suspension tester  250 ′. In one embodiment, the undulations  264 ,  268  are constructed and arranged to stimulate a roll resonance in the chassis of the vehicle.  
         [0048]     One or more rigid members  270  are coupled between the first  262  and the second sections of track  266 . In this embodiment, the rigid members  270  cross each other but can be configured as shown in  FIG. 4A . The rigid members  270  can be coupled to each other using hardware  272 . The rigid members  270  provide stability between the first  262  and the second sections of track  266  as the vehicle traverses the vehicle suspension tester  250 ′.  
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a vehicle suspension tester  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle suspension tester  300  includes four undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308 . The four undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  can be coupled together as shown. Once coupled together, the undulations are fixed relative to each other. In one embodiment, each of the four undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  is coupled to a different section of track and the sections of track are coupled together. In some embodiments, multiple undulations are coupled to individual sections of track. In other embodiments, the undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  are manufactured and/or formed in/on or as part of a road surface. For example, a track including the undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  can be manufactured as part of a road surface by paving the undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  into the asphalt.  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the four undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  vary in height. In the embodiment shown, the height of the undulations  302 - 308  gradually increases between each of the undulations  302 - 308 . Additionally, the distance between each of the four undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  can also vary. The shape and width of the undulations  302 - 308  can also be varied. For example, the profile of the undulations  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and  308  can be substantially sinusoidal in shape.  
         [0051]      FIG. 6  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester  350  having multiple sections of track  352 ,  354 , and  356 . Each of the sections of track  352 ,  354 , and  356  include multiple undulations  358 . The sections of track  352 ,  354 , and  356  are coupled together through hinge mechanisms  360 ,  362 . Other techniques could also be used to couple the sections of track  352 ,  354 , and  356  to each other. In one embodiment, the sections of track  352 ,  354 , and  356  are arranged so that they fold efficiently for storage and/or transportation. For example, in the embodiment shown, the first section of track  352  and the second section of track  354  fold so that the bottom surfaces  364 ,  366  of the two sections of track  352 ,  354  meet. Also, the second section of track  354  and the third section of track  356  include undulations  358  that are arranged so that the top surfaces  368 ,  370  of these two sections of track  354 ,  358  can be folded efficiently.  
         [0052]      FIG. 7  illustrates a vehicle suspension tester  400  having a substantially circular configuration. The vehicle suspension tester  400  could also be elliptically shaped or configured in any other desired shape. In one embodiment, the vehicle suspension tester  400  includes an inner track  402  and an outer track  404 . The inner track  402  includes multiple sections of track  406 ,  408 ,  410 , and  412 . The outer track  404  includes multiple sections of track  414 ,  416 ,  418 ,  420 ,  422 ,  424 ,  426 , and  428 .  
         [0053]     In the embodiment shown, each section of track includes multiple undulations  430 . In other embodiments, one or more of the sections of track  406 - 428  include a single undulation. Additionally the height, width, shape, and distance between undulations  430  can be individually varied. The top surface of one or more of the undulations  430  can be smooth or can include a surface texture to increase the traction of a vehicle wheel on the top surface.  
         [0054]     In one embodiment, the inner section of track  406  and two of the outer sections of track  414 ,  416  are removed in order to provide a test track having a three-quarter circular configuration. Additionally, the sections of track can be configured in a serpentine shape to provide a slalom course for the vehicle to traverse.  
         [0055]     The vehicle suspension tester  400  provides multiple simultaneous testing conditions. For example, as a vehicle is maneuvered over the suspension tester  400 , the chassis of the vehicle will tend to roll outwardly due to centrifugal forces acting on the chassis. These forces will generally increase as the velocity of the vehicle increases. As the vehicle is maneuvered over the tester  400 , the vehicle also traverses the undulations  430 . The undulations  430  can induce a separate roll in the vehicle chassis on top of the chassis roll caused by the centrifugal forces. The parameters of separate roll depend on the arrangement of the undulations  430 .  
         [0056]     In one embodiment, the undulations  430  are arranged to induce a pitch in the vehicle chassis. The undulations  430  can induce the pitch in the vehicle chassis on top of the chassis roll caused by the centrifugal forces. The parameters of pitch depend on the arrangement of the undulations  430 .  
         [0057]     There has been described novel apparatus and techniques for vehicle suspension testing and demonstrating. It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous modifications of and departures from the specific apparatus and techniques described herein without departing from the inventive concepts. Consequently, the invention is to be construed as embracing each and every feature and novel combination of features present in or possessed by the apparatus and techniques herein disclosed and limited solely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6