COUPLING MODULE FOR A DRIVE TRAIN TEST STAND, OUTPUT MODULE, AND DRIVE TRAIN TEST STAND

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling module for a drive train test stand for connecting an articulated shaft to a driveshaft. The coupling module includes a wheel rim and a wheel cap. The wheel rim can be rotationally fixed to the driveshaft. The wheel cap has a base surface and a lateral wall. The wheel cap can be rotationally fixed to the articulated shaft. A vehicle wheel is arranged on the wheel rim, the trad of the wheel being in frictional contact with the inner face of the lateral wall of the wheel cap. Also disclosed is a corresponding output module for a drive train test stand and to a drive train test stand for testing a vehicle drive train.

Claims

1. A coupling module (20) for a drive train test stand for connecting an articulated shaft (22) to a drive shaft (21), wherein the coupling module (20) comprises: a wheel rim (23) configured to be rotationally fixed on the drive shaft; a wheel cap (24) having a base face (24′) and a side wall (24′″), the wheel cap (24) configured to be rotationally fixed on the articulated shaft (22); and an annular damping element (25) on the wheel rim and arranged in frictionally engaging abutment with an inner side (24′″) of the side wall (24″) of the wheel cap (24).

2. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular damping element (25) comprises a vehicle tire (25) having a running face (25′) arranged in frictionally engaging abutment with an inner side (24′″) of the side wall (24″) of the wheel cap (24).

3. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel cap (24) has a support ring (30) at an end of the sidewall (24″) and spaced from the base face (24′) by the sidewall (24″).

4. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support ring (30) is releasably arranged on the wheel cap (24).

5. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support ring (30) is connected to an inner circumference of the wheel rim (23) by a support bearing (29).

6. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base face (24′) has a centering bearing (26) configured for centering the wheel cap (24) on the wheel rim (23).

7. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base face (24′) defines a plurality of openings or recesses arranged in a grid.

8. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side wall (24″) is configured to be clamped.

9. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner side (24′″) of the side wall (24″) has at least one latch segment (28).

10. The coupling module (20) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the damping element (25) or the running face (25′) of the vehicle tire (25) is exclusively in abutment with the at least one latch segment (28).

11. An output module for a drive train test stand comprising: an electric loading motor; and the coupling module (20) of claim 1.

12. A drive train test stand for testing a vehicle drive train, comprising: an electric loading motor; and a coupling module (20) coupling module (20) comprising: a wheel rim (23) configured to be rotationally fixed on the drive shaft; a wheel cap (24) having a base face (24′) and a side wall (24′″), the wheel cap (24) configured to be rotationally fixed on the articulated shaft (22); and an annular damping element (25) on the wheel rim, the annular damping element arranged in frictionally engaging abutment with an inner side (24′″) of the side wall (24″) of the wheel cap (24).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments illustrated in the Figures by way of example.

[0040] In the Figures:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a wheel cage module known in the prior art,

[0042] FIG. 2 shows by way of example and schematically one possible construction of a coupling module according to the invention for connecting an articulated shaft to a drive shaft,

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the coupling module of FIG. 2,

[0044] FIG. 4 shows the cross section through the coupling module of FIG. 2 with a latch segment, and

[0045] FIG. 5 shows schematically and by way of example another possible construction of a coupling module according to the invention for connecting an articulated shaft to a drive shaft.

[0046] Identical objects, functional units and comparable components are given the same reference numerals across all the Figures. These objects, functional units and comparable components are with regard to their technical features configured identically unless otherwise stated explicitly or implicitly in the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a wheel cage module 10 which is known in the prior art and which releasably connects a drive axle 11 to an articulated shaft 12.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows by way of example and schematically one possible construction of a coupling module 20 according to the invention for connecting an articulated shaft 22 to a drive shaft 21. The drive shaft 21 is, for example, driven by means of an electric motor (not illustrated in FIG. 2) which is arranged directly on the drive shaft 21 and which is fixedly associated with the drive shaft 21, that is to say, which also actually drives the drive shaft 21 during actual travel operation in the motor vehicle. The coupling module 20 comprises a wheel rim 23 which is a conventional wheel rim 23 as can also be mounted on motor vehicles in road traffic. The coupling module 20 further comprises a wheel cap 24, having a base face 24′ and a side wall 24″. There is enclosed by the wheel cap 24 a damping element 25 which is in the form of a vehicle tire 25 and which is arranged on the wheel rim 23 and which is in frictionally engaging abutment with the running face 25′ thereof with an inner side 24″ of the side wall 24″ of the wheel cap 24. This results with regard to the torque transmission behavior of the coupling module 20 in very realistic properties since the resilience of the vehicle tire 25 is used as during real driving operation. The torque is in this instance first transmitted from the drive shaft 21 to the wheel rim 23 and then from the wheel rim 23 to the vehicle tire 24. The vehicle tire 24 transmits the torque in accordance with the resilient properties thereof over the running face 25′ thereof to the inner side 24′″ of the side wall 24″ of the wheel cap 24. The wheel cap 24 in turn transmits the torque via the base face 24′ thereof to the articulated shaft 22.

[0049] The exemplary coupling module 20 of FIG. 2 further comprises a support ring 30 which is releasably arranged by means of a screw connection at an end, opposite the base face 24′ of the wheel cap 24, of the side wall 24″ of the wheel cap 24. As a result of the support ring 30, a resilient yielding in the form of radial bending open of the side wall 24″ at the axial end, facing the support ring 30, of the side wall 24″ can be prevented.

[0050] Finally, the coupling module 20 of FIG. 2 also comprises a centering bearing 26 for centering the wheel cap 24 on the wheel rim 23. The coupling module 20 is in this instance supported by means of the base face 24′ thereof on a projection 27 of an adapter piece 31 which is connected to the wheel rim 23 by means of a screw connection via the ring of holes. The centering bearing 26 improves the uniformity of the coupling module 20 in particular at high speeds and in highly dynamic test methods.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the coupling module 20 of FIG. 2. In this instance, it is possible to see the side wall 24″ with the inner side 24′″ of the wheel cap 24. The vehicle tire 25 is arranged in the wheel cap 24 with the running face 25′ thereof, wherein the running face 25′ is in frictionally engaging abutment with the inner side 24″ so that a torque transmission is possible. The vehicle tire 25 is arranged on the wheel rim 23.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows the cross section of FIG. 3, but the inner side 24″ of the side wall 24′ has by way of example a latch segment 28. The latch segment 28 leads to the vehicle tire 25 in the clamped state in the wheel cap 24 as during real travel operation forming on the motor vehicle a latch, via which the complete torque is transmitted. For example, in FIG. 4 remote from the latch segment 28 there is an air gap between the running face 25′ of the vehicle tire 25 and the inner side 24″ of the side wall 24′.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows schematically and by way of example another possible construction of a coupling module 20 according to the invention for connecting an articulated shaft 22 to a drive shaft 21. The coupling module 20 of FIG. 5 differs from the coupling module 20 of FIG. 2 only in that in place of a conventional wheel rim 23 a specially produced wheel rim 23 which enables the provision of a support bearing 29 is used. This affords the advantage that via the support bearing 29 the stability of the coupling module 20 can be increased, in particular at high speeds or in highly dynamic test methods. The support ring 30 is extended radially inwardly to a corresponding extent in order to engage on the support bearing 29.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0054] 10 Wheel cage module [0055] 11 Drive axle [0056] 12 Articulated shaft [0057] 20 Coupling module [0058] 21 Drive shaft [0059] 22 Articulated shaft [0060] 23 Wheel rim [0061] 24 Wheel cap [0062] 24′ Base face [0063] 24″ Side wall [0064] 24′″ Inner side [0065] 25 Damping element, vehicle tire [0066] 25′ Running face [0067] 26 Centering bearing [0068] 27 Projection [0069] 28 Latch segment [0070] 29 Support bearing [0071] 30 Support ring [0072] 31 Adapter piece