The invention relates to a method for dynamic load simulation, wherein loads are specified by target signals and applied to a test object by a parallel kinematic excitation unit via an end effector, including the following operations: measuring loads at a contact point (200), comparing the measured loads with the target signals (300), and determining target pressures (400) for individual actuators of the parallel kinematic excitation unit for applying the target signals by use of a control algorithm (F.sub.q,ref). This provides a method for dynamic load simulation that reduces the time and cost expenditure compared to previously known methods and at the same time enables hardware-in-the-loop simulations to be used.

The invention relates to a method for dynamic load simulation, wherein loads are specified by target signals and applied to a test object by a parallel kinematic excitation unit via an end effector, including the following operations: measuring loads at a contact point (200), comparing the measured loads with the target signals (300), and determining target pressures (400) for individual actuators of the parallel kinematic excitation unit for applying the target signals by use of a control algorithm (F.sub.q,ref). This provides a method for dynamic load simulation that reduces the time and cost expenditure compared to previously known methods and at the same time enables hardware-in-the-loop simulations to be used.

A system for integratedly testing damping performance of a hydro-pneumatic suspension vehicle, including a testing platform and a testing device. The testing device includes a sensor module, a data acquiring and processing module and a testing software. A method for integratedly testing damping performance of a hydro-pneumatic suspension vehicle is also provided. A calculation is performed by a testing software to optimize a sensor configuration. A signal is acquired and transmitted by the sensor module. The signal is acquired and processed by a data acquiring and processing module, and displayed and analyzed by the testing software.

A system for integratedly testing damping performance of a hydro-pneumatic suspension vehicle, including a testing platform and a testing device. The testing device includes a sensor module, a data acquiring and processing module and a testing software. A method for integratedly testing damping performance of a hydro-pneumatic suspension vehicle is also provided. A calculation is performed by a testing software to optimize a sensor configuration. A signal is acquired and transmitted by the sensor module. The signal is acquired and processed by a data acquiring and processing module, and displayed and analyzed by the testing software.

A wheel load assembly (5) for a dynamometer test bench (1) comprises —a support structure (17) which can be assembled on a base (12), —a vertical load device (18) having a first application bracket (19) which is rigidly connectable to a bearing body (96), which in turn is couplable to the wheel suspension part (3), a first reaction support (20) connected to the support structure (17), a first force transmission connector (21) connected between the first reaction support (20) and the first application bracket (19), as well as a first load apparatus (22) operatively connected to the first force transmission connector (21) to load the first force transmission connector (21) in a first vertical load direction (23), —a longitudinal load device (24) having a second application bracket (25) which is rigidly connectable to the bearing body (96), which in turn is couplable to the wheel suspension part (3), a second reaction support (26) connected to the support structure (17), a second force transmission connector (27) connected between the second reaction support (26) and the second application bracket (25), as well as a second load apparatus (28) operatively connected to the second force transmission connector (27) to load the second force transmission connector (27) in a second longitudinal load direction (29) transverse to the first vertical load direction (23) and to a wheel rotation axis (40) of the wheel suspension part (3), —a lateral load device (30) having a third application bracket (31) which is rigidly connectable to the bearing body (96), which in turn is couplable to the wheel suspension part (3), a third reaction support (32) connected to the support structure (17), a third force transmission connector (33) connected between the third reaction support (32) and the third application bracket (31), as well as a third load apparatus (34) to load the third force transmission connector (33) in a third lateral load direction (35) parallel to the wheel rotation axis (40) and transverse to the first vertical load direction (23) and to the second longitudinal load direction (29), in which the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral load devices comprise respective adjustment devices for adjusting the position of the application points of the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral forces.

A wheel load assembly (5) for a dynamometer test bench (1) comprises —a support structure (17) which can be assembled on a base (12), —a vertical load device (18) having a first application bracket (19) which is rigidly connectable to a bearing body (96), which in turn is couplable to the wheel suspension part (3), a first reaction support (20) connected to the support structure (17), a first force transmission connector (21) connected between the first reaction support (20) and the first application bracket (19), as well as a first load apparatus (22) operatively connected to the first force transmission connector (21) to load the first force transmission connector (21) in a first vertical load direction (23), —a longitudinal load device (24) having a second application bracket (25) which is rigidly connectable to the bearing body (96), which in turn is couplable to the wheel suspension part (3), a second reaction support (26) connected to the support structure (17), a second force transmission connector (27) connected between the second reaction support (26) and the second application bracket (25), as well as a second load apparatus (28) operatively connected to the second force transmission connector (27) to load the second force transmission connector (27) in a second longitudinal load direction (29) transverse to the first vertical load direction (23) and to a wheel rotation axis (40) of the wheel suspension part (3), —a lateral load device (30) having a third application bracket (31) which is rigidly connectable to the bearing body (96), which in turn is couplable to the wheel suspension part (3), a third reaction support (32) connected to the support structure (17), a third force transmission connector (33) connected between the third reaction support (32) and the third application bracket (31), as well as a third load apparatus (34) to load the third force transmission connector (33) in a third lateral load direction (35) parallel to the wheel rotation axis (40) and transverse to the first vertical load direction (23) and to the second longitudinal load direction (29), in which the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral load devices comprise respective adjustment devices for adjusting the position of the application points of the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral forces.

This invention provides a non-invasive method for diagnosing performance of a vehicle. The method comprises using a 3-axis accelerometer to perform diagnosis of the performance of an internal combustion engine, the performance of the engine including an engine power loss and one or more flaws associated with the engine mount. The method is also usable for diagnosing deterioration of a suspension system of said vehicle. An apparatus comprising a 3-axis accelerometer for diagnosing performance of a vehicle is also provided. In one embodiment, the 3-axis accelerometer is embedded in a smart phone.

This invention provides a non-invasive method for diagnosing performance of a vehicle. The method comprises using a 3-axis accelerometer to perform diagnosis of the performance of an internal combustion engine, the performance of the engine including an engine power loss and one or more flaws associated with the engine mount. The method is also usable for diagnosing deterioration of a suspension system of said vehicle. An apparatus comprising a 3-axis accelerometer for diagnosing performance of a vehicle is also provided. In one embodiment, the 3-axis accelerometer is embedded in a smart phone.

A method for determining a ride height of a body of a motor vehicle and includes the steps of determining wheel heights at at least four different wheels of the motor vehicle, forming different selections of in each case three of the determined wheel heights, determining a ride height of the body for each selection, comparing the determined ride heights, and determining that at least one measurement value for a wheel height is implausible if the determined ride heights differ from one another by more than a predetermined amount.

A method for determining a ride height of a body of a motor vehicle and includes the steps of determining wheel heights at at least four different wheels of the motor vehicle, forming different selections of in each case three of the determined wheel heights, determining a ride height of the body for each selection, comparing the determined ride heights, and determining that at least one measurement value for a wheel height is implausible if the determined ride heights differ from one another by more than a predetermined amount.