METHOD FOR CORRECTING A MISALIGNMENT OF AT LEAST ONE SHAFTING

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for correcting a misalignment of at least one shafting of a powertrain on a test bench, where at least one piezoelectric force sensor is arranged in a path of force via which a force flow can be transmitted between a load unit of the test bench and a drive unit of the powertrain or the test bench during a transmission of power via the shafting, comprising: performing a force measurement in at least one plane and/or perpendicular to the at least one plane which is intersected by a rotational axis of the shafting and may be substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis; analyzing a measured value or a measured value progression of the force measurement for detecting a misalignment of the shafting; determining target values for a position correction of the load unit or the drive unit in order to minimize the misalignment; and outputting the target values.

Claims

1. A method for correcting a misalignment of at least one shafting of a powertrain on a test bench, wherein at least one piezoelectric force sensor is arranged in a path of force via which a force flow can be transmitted between a load unit of the test bench and a drive unit of the powertrain or the test bench during a transmission of power via the shafting, comprising: performing a force measurement in at least one plane and/or perpendicular to the at least one plane which is intersected by a rotational axis of the shafting and is preferably at least substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis; analyzing a measured value or a measured value progression of the force measurement for detecting a misalignment of the shafting; determining target values for a position correction of the load unit or the drive unit in order to minimize the misalignment; and outputting the target values.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the following additional work steps are performed in the determination of the target values: determining bending moments or a bending moment curve on the shafting on the basis of the measured value or measured value progressions of the force measurement; and determining a bending line of the shafting on the basis of the determined bending moments or bending moment curve, wherein the target values are determined by way of the bending line.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the following work steps: checking whether a bending moment or bending moment curve on the shafting exceeds a threshold value; and iteratively repeating the method upon the threshold being exceeded or terminating the method when the threshold is not exceeded.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the following work step: disengaging a frictional connection between the load unit and the drive unit, particularly by opening a coupling of the shafting.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the following work step: changing a position of the load unit and/or the drive unit on the test bench on the basis of the output target values.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the following work step: establishing a frictional connection between the load unit and the drive unit.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a constant of the shafting, in particular the product of the modulus of elasticity and modulus of resistance, is determined for calculating the bending lines by way of two force measurements in respect of respectively different positions of the drive unit or the load unit.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotational axis of the shafting is a rotational axis of that shaft of the shafting on which the force measurement is performed.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force measurement occurs in a stationary state or a quasi-stationary state of the shafting.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force measurement is monitored in that the measured value or measured values is/are compared to a threshold value which is indicative of a critical shafting load, wherein rotation of the shafting is stopped or no rotation is effected when the threshold value is exceeded.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of force sensors are provided in the path of force and wherein each force measurement of the force sensors is monitored.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein a distinction is made during analysis between parallel offset and/or angular offset of the shafting in terms of the misalignment.

13. A computer program containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, prompts it to execute the steps of a method according to claim 1.

14. A computer-readable medium on which a computer program according to claim 13 is stored.

15. A powertrain test bench comprising: a load unit connectable to a shafting to be tested; at least one piezoelectric force sensor which is arranged in a path of force via which a force flow is transmitted from the load unit of the test bench during a transmission of power via the shafting and is configured to perform a force measurement in a plane and/or perpendicular to the plane which is intersected by a rotational axis of the shafting and is preferably at least substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis; and a signal processing device having means configured to analyze a measured value or a measured value progression of the force measurement for detecting a misalignment of the shafting; means for determining target values for a position correction of the load unit or the drive unit in order to minimize the misalignment; and means, in particular an interface, for outputting the target values.

16. The powertrain test bench according to claim 15, wherein the powertrain test bench additionally comprises an adjusting device configured to translationally and/or rotationally change a position of the load unit or the drive unit, wherein the powertrain test bench, in particular the signal processing device, further comprises: means configured to control the adjusting device on the basis of the output target values.

Description

[0068] FIG. 1a a top view of an end face of a load unit at which a shaft of the load unit protrudes;

[0069] FIG. 1b a side view of the load unit according to FIG. 1a;

[0070] FIG. 1c two top views of a measuring arrangement having a first exemplary embodiment of a powertrain test bench and a load unit according to FIGS. 1a and 1b, by means of which a method for correcting a misalignment can be realized;

[0071] FIG. 2 an exemplary embodiment of a method for correcting a misalignment;

[0072] FIG. 3 four diagrams depicting forces, bending moments, a bending line for an angular misalignment and a bending line for a parallel misalignment of a shafting on a test bench;

[0073] FIG. 4 a diagram with bending lines for parallel misalignment and bending lines for angular misalignment in the axial direction of a shafting;

[0074] FIG. 5 a top view of a measuring arrangement having a second exemplary embodiment of a powertrain test bench;

[0075] FIG. 6 a top view of a measuring arrangement having a third exemplary embodiment of a powertrain test bench;

[0076] FIG. 7 a top view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a powertrain test bench; and

[0077] FIG. 8 a detail of the powertrain test benches according to FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7.

[0078] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c show three different views of a first exemplary embodiment of a powertrain test bench 1. Both FIGS. 1a and 1b views show only one load unit 14 of the powertrain test bench 1; FIG. 1c shows two views of a measuring arrangement having one of the load units 14 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b and one drive unit 2 to be tested.

[0079] The alignment of the individual FIG. 1a, 1b and 1c views to each other ensues from the respectively drawn x, y, c coordinate axes of a reference system.

[0080] FIG. 1a shows a top view in the opposite direction of the z-axis onto an end face of a load unit 14 at which a shaft 5b of the load unit 14 protrudes. FIG. 1b shows a side view along the x-axis of the load unit according to FIG. 1a. The load unit 14 is supported on a base plate or intermediate plate 10 by measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of a force sensor. Preferably, the base plate or intermediate plate 10 also supports the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d horizontally. Preferably, an adjusting device 12a, 12, 12c is provided on the base plate or intermediate plate 10. It preferably has a first actuator 12a, a second actuator 12b and a third actuator 12c in order to shift an alignment of the base plate or intermediate plate 10, and thus also an alignment of the load unit 14, in the direction of the x-axis and/or the y-axis and about the x-axis and/or to pivot the y-axis.

[0081] In FIG. 1c, the drive unit 2 and the load unit 14 are each connected or connectable to a shafting in torque-transmitting manner. Said shafting is not fully depicted in this figure for the sake of clarity.

[0082] The left-hand view of FIG. 1c shows a measuring arrangement in which the misalignment is strictly a parallel misalignment of a rotational axis D of a shaft 5b of the load unit 14 and a rotational axis DC of a shaft 5a of the drive unit 2 in the x-direction. The right-hand view of FIG. 1c shows a measuring arrangement in which the misalignment is strictly an angular misalignment of a rotational axis D of a shaft 5b of the load unit 14 and a rotational axis DC of a shaft 5a of the drive unit 2 about the y-axis. Generally speaking, however, misalignment presents as a superimposition of angular misalignment and parallel misalignment. Moreover, the drive unit 2 can additionally or alternatively also be shifted in the y-direction and/or pivoted about the x-axis. Furthermore, the measuring elements could also be arranged on the drive unit 2 or in the shafting, as described further below with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

[0083] Different planes A, B, F, G, H are additionally marked in FIG. 1c. Plane A is a plane aligned perpendicular to the rotational axis D of the load unit 14 and in which there are two measuring elements 4a, 4d arranged at the underside end of the load unit 14 opposite from the shaft 5b of the load unit 14. Plane B is a plane likewise aligned perpendicular to the rotational axis D of the load unit 14 and in which there are two measuring elements 4b, 4c arranged at the underside end of the load unit 14 facing the shaft 5b of the load unit 14.

[0084] Plane G is a plane aligned perpendicular to the rotational axis DC of the drive unit 2 and in which there is a first bearing of the shaft 5a of the drive unit 2 arranged on the end of the drive unit 2 facing the shaft 5b of the load unit 14. Plane H is a plane which is likewise aligned perpendicular to the rotational axis DC of the drive unit 2 and in which there is a second bearing of the shaft 5a of the drive unit 2 arranged on the end of the drive unit 2 opposite from the shaft 5b of the load unit 14.

[0085] The right-hand part of FIG. 1c shows the forces caused by the respective misalignments depicted in planes A, B and F. In planes A and B, the A, d forces act on the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d supporting the load unit 14. In plane F, the {right arrow over (F)} force acts on the (not depicted) shafting.

[0086] The method enables the detecting and then correcting of misalignments both in the xz-plane as well as in the yz-plane, in particular simultaneously.

[0087] Furthermore, the test bench 1 preferably comprises a signal processing device 7 (not depicted). This will be described further below with reference to FIG. 8.

[0088] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for correcting a misalignment which can be used in a measuring arrangement according to FIGS. 1a to 1c.

[0089] After installation of the measuring arrangement, it is preferably calibrated first. Particularly a scaling factor or a constant, in particular the product of the modulus of elasticity and modulus of resistance of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b, preferentially a rigidity constant, is determined to that end. This scaling factor or material constant serves preferably in the calculation of the bending line, as will be explained further below with reference to FIG. 3. Further preferably, the scaling factor or the material constant is determined by two force measurements, each ata different relative position of the drive unit 2 and the load unit 14 to one another.

[0090] In a first work step 101 of the method 100, a force measurement is made in planes A, B and/or perpendicular to planes A, B. Planes A, B are intersected by the rotational axis D of the shaft 5b of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b, which is the shaft of load unit 14. Preferably, planes A, B are aligned at least substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis D. Preferably, the rotational axis D is thereby, as depicted in FIG. 1c, the rotational axis of that shaft 5b of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b on which the force measurement is performed; i.e. in relation to which the forces are measured.

[0091] Further preferably, the force measurement ensues in stationary states or quasi-stationary states of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b. As previously explained, this thereby enables preventing damage to the measuring arrangement.

[0092] Further preferably, the force measurement is continuously monitored. In particular, the respective measured value most recently measured is thereby compared to a threshold value which is indicative of a critical shafting 5; 5a, 5b load. Should this threshold value be exceeded, rotation of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b is stopped or no rotation is effected. Moreover, the method 100 is then preferably terminated. Preferably, as depicted in FIG. 7, there are multiple force sensors 4, 11 in the path of force, with each force measurement of the force sensors 4, 11 preferably being monitored in this case.

[0093] Any constant circumferential transverse force indicates an angular offset in the shafting and can thus be differentiated from misalignments by the inventive method.

[0094] In a second work step 102, a measured value or measured value progression of the force measurement is analyzed for detecting a misalignment of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b. Preferably, a distinction is thereby made between parallel offset and/or angular offset of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b in terms of the misalignment.

[0095] In a third work step 103, target values for a position correction of the load unit 14 or the drive unit 2 are determined in order to minimize the misalignment. To that end, bending moments or a bending moment curve on the shafting 5; 5a, 5b is preferably determined in a first sub-step 103-1 on the basis of the measured value or the measured value progressions of the force measurement. In a second sub-step 103-2, preferably a bending line of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b is then determined on the basis of the determined bending moment or bending moment curve in consideration of boundary conditions. The target values of the position correction are then preferably determined using this bending line. Preferably, the misalignment is minimal when the bending line wx(z) is identical to the rotational axis D.

[0096] In a fourth work step 104, a check is made as to whether a bending moment or bending moment curve on the shafting 5; 5a, 5b exceeds a threshold value. If the threshold is exceeded, the method 100 continues and repeats. The target values are output in a fifth work step 105 for this purpose. Preferably, the output is made to the next work step via a data interface 10. Alternatively or additionally, the target values can also be output to a user via a user interface 10.

[0097] When the threshold value is no longer exceeded, the method 100 is preferably terminated in a ninth and last work step 109.

[0098] Upon continuation of the method 100, the frictional connection between the load unit 14 and the drive unit 2 is preferably interrupted in a sixth work step 106, particularly by opening a coupling (not depicted) of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b. The relative position of the two machine units 2, 14 to one another can thereby be changed without counteracting forces.

[0099] In a seventh work step 107, a position of the load unit 14 and/or the drive unit 2 on the test bench is changed on the basis of the output target values. This should thus result in reducing the misalignment.

[0100] In an eighth work step 108, the frictional connection between the load unit 14 and the drive unit 2 is then preferably restored. Preferably, the method 100 thereafter starts again at the first work step 101. Alternatively, however, the method 100 can also start again from the beginning after an earlier work step.

[0101] The following will draw on FIGS. 3 and 4 in illustrating an exemplary calculation of target values on the basis of the forces measured in planes A and B or in plane F.

[0102] When the fixedly mounted drive unit 2 and load unit 14 are mechanically connected via the shafting, a frictional connection is established which can be assumed as being a simplified bending beam (assuming a fixed/floating bearing shaft arrangement as depicted in FIGS. 1c and 3).

[0103] Depending on the location of the force flow measurementin the illustrated case, in planes A and B or in plane F bearing forces {right arrow over (A)} and {right arrow over (B)} or a misalignment force {right arrow over (F)} can be calculated from a resultant moment equilibrium.

[0104] Force components F.sub.x and F.sub.y and force component F.sub.z as well as moment components M.sub.bx and M.sub.by for determining a misalignment can be obtained in an intrinsically known manner via the specific arrangement of the preferential directions of the individual measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c or their piezo elements respectively.

[0105] Other methods for determining these parameters can also be used. For example, decomposition, in particular orthogonal decomposition, of the measurement signals of the individual measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c or the forces Fi, Fi derived; i.e. measured, from the measurement signals.

[0106] For example, the M.sub.z, F.sub.x, F.sub.Y parameters to be determined are thereby the solution to a set of equations, whereby an equation as follows applies to each measurement signal:

S1=a.sub.11.Math.M.sub.z+a.sub.12.Math.F.sub.x+a.sub.13.Math.F.sub.y

S2=a.sub.21.Math.M.sub.z+a.sub.22.Math.F.sub.xa.sub.23.Math.F.sub.y

S3=a.sub.31.Math.M.sub.z+a.sub.32.Math.F.sub.x+a.sub.33.Math.F.sub.y

. . .

SN=a.sub.N1.Math.M.sub.z . . .

[0107] S1, S2, . . . Si, . . . , SN are thereby the measurement signals of the individual measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . 2, N. Each coefficient a depends on a plurality of factors such as, for example, the respective position of the measuring element 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . 4i, 4N and the respective preferential direction's orientation in the reference system, a sensitivity of the respective measuring element 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , N and possible signal loss due to a force shunt through fixing means.

[0108] To solve such a set of equations for the torque M.sub.Z, a first transverse force component F.sub.X and a second transverse force component F.sub.y, measurement signals are needed from at least three measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c which have preferential directions aligned so as to lie in a single plane. Furthermore, at least two of the preferential directions must be aligned neither parallel nor antiparallel.

[0109] For this described general case of N=3; i.e. with three measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, the solution to the above-depicted equation set is clear. Should further measuring elements be added to the measuring system 1, the set of equations is overdetermined with three parameters M.sub.Z, F.sub.X, F.sub.y to be determined, however the measuring accuracy can be even further improved.

[0110] In the case of N=4, four different sets of equations F (S1, S2, S3), F (S1, S2, S4), F (S1, S3, S4), F (S2, S3, S4) can be constructed. The values determined for the individual parameters M.sub.Z, F.sub.X, F.sub.y to be determined can then be totaled and averaged; i.e. divided by four in the case of four measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 4i, . . . , 4N. Similarly, an overdetermined set of equations F (S1, S2 . . . , SN) can be constructed to be solved via a minimization problem.

[0111] Once a general solution has been found for the equation set, calculation of the parameters M.sub.Z, F.sub.X, F.sub.y to be determined can be reduced to a matrix multiplication. This provides three rows and as many columns as there are measurement signals S1, S2, S3, SN. The matrix elements or coefficients respectively depict the respective contributions of the individual sensors to the parameters M.sub.Z, F.sub.X, F.sub.y to be determined.

[00001]$\left(\begin{array}{c}Fx\\ Fy\\ Mz\end{array}\right)=K\left(\begin{array}{ccccc}c11& c12& c13& .Math.& c1N\\ c21& c22& c23& .Math.& c2N\\ c31& c32& c33& .Math.& c3N\end{array}\right)\left(\begin{array}{c}S1\\ S2\\ S3\\ .Math.\mathrm{SN}\end{array}\right)$

[0112] The bending moments M.sub.bx and M.sub.by can moreover be determined via such a decomposition. Decomposition of the measurement signals S1, S2, . . . Si, . . . , SN into components which contribute to the respective parameters M.sub.Z, F.sub.X, F.sub.y to be determined requires knowing the position of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 4i, . . . , 4N and the orientation of the preferential directions.

[0113] The geometric parameters can be determined from a design drawing of the powertrain test bench 1 and from knowledge of the preferential directions of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 2i, . . . , 2N.

[0114] The orientation of the preferential directions of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 4i, . . . ,4N can, however, also be determined by measuring the preferential directions using a calibration measurement. Preferably, the force sensor 4, 11 is clamped between two flat plates to that end. In a subsequent step, external transverse forces of a known direction are applied. The preferential direction of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 4i, . . . , 4N in the plane spanned by the preferential direction of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 4i, . . . , 4N can be determined from the magnitude of the individual measurement signals S1, S2, . . . Si, . . . , SN in relation to the magnitude and the direction of the transverse forces introduced.

[0115] When the preferential directions of the individual measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 4i, . . . , 4N are known, a distance of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c, . . . , 4i, . . . , 4N from the rotational axis D can be determined via such a decomposition by applying a defined torque M.sub.Z and measuring the individual measurement signals S1, S2, . . . Si, . . . , SN.

[0116] As depicted in FIG. 3, on the basis of the forces {right arrow over (A)}, {right arrow over (B)}, {right arrow over (F)} as determined, the bending moment M.sub.by(z) can be determined as a function of the location in the direction of the rotational axis D of the load unit 14; in the direction of the z-axis in the reference system shown.

[0117] The relationship between the bending line w.sub.x(z) and the bending moment M.sub.by(z) thereby obeys the following differential equation

[00002]${w_x\left(z\right)}^{}=-\frac{M_{by}\left(z\right)}{E{J}_y}$

whereby E is the modulus of elasticity and iy is the modulus of resistance of the measuring arrangement. Both together form a so-called scaling factor which is constant for a specific shafting or a specific measuring arrangement. The scaling factor takes into account a rigidity and a material constant of the respective shafting or shaft section or respective measuring arrangement.

[0118] The differential equation can in each case be solved by a polynomial function w.sub.x(z). Said polynomial function w.sub.x(z) indicates the bending line. A corresponding plurality of polynomials w.sub.x(z) incorporating the respective connection conditions can then be determined when solving the coupled differential equation set w.sub.x(z) for a plurality of shaft sections 5a, 5b of the shafting.

[0119] The scaling factor can be determined experimentally by specifying boundary conditions for the bending line w.sub.x(z). The case depicted in FIGS. 1c and 3 shows the boundary conditions of e.g. w.sub.x(0)=0 and w.sub.x(a)=0. In addition, the derivative for the angular misalignment for the bending line is in any case zero at the z=a+b point; i.e. w.sub.x(a+b)=0. The scaling factor can then be calculated by way of two force measurements at different relative alignments of the drive unit 2 and the load unit 14 to one another. Alternatively, however, the scaling factor can also be estimated via an FEM simulation of the shafting or the measuring arrangement.

[0120] FIG. 4 shows two different bending lines w.sub.x(z) for a purely angular misalignment of the rotational axes D, DC from FIG. 1c (FIG. 4 upper portion) and a purely parallel misalignment of the rotational axes D, DC from FIG. 1c (FIG. 4 lower portion) as determined via the depicted calculation method. In each case, the dotted line indicates the bending line at a greater angular misalignment and parallel misalignment than the dashed line.

[0121] Of course, separate parallel offsets in the y-direction and angular offsets due to rotation about the x-axis which effect bending lines w.sub.y(z) can also occur. A two-dimensional bending line w.sub.xy(z) can then be calculated by superposition. Said super-position is preferably an addition of the bending lines which, due to their orientation, are vectors, thus a vector addition.

[0122] FIGS. 5 to 7 show further exemplary embodiments of powertrain test benches 1. Even if the arrangement of the force sensor or force sensors in these exemplary embodiments deviates significantly to some extent from the arrangement depicted with respect to the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, a calculation of the powertrain's bending moments and bending lines can be reduced to the calculation method as explained above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0123] FIG. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a powertrain test bench 1 on which in addition to calibration or application tests, detection of misalignments is possible. In particular, a misalignment can be detected independent of test bench operation.

[0124] Among other things, the powertrain test bench 1 comprises load units, respectively dynos 14a, 14b, which are connectable in rotationally fixed manner to a powertrain output as shown in FIG. 1.

[0125] The powertrain test bench 1 preferably further comprises an incremental encoder 6 configured to measure an angle of rotation of the shafting 5a, 5b. The function of an incremental encoder 6 is known from the prior art; in particular, it can determine the angle of rotation of the shafting 5a, 5b or a change in the angle of rotation and/or direction photoelectrically, magnetically and/or by means of sliding contacts.

[0126] Furthermore, the powertrain 1 preferably has a force sensor 4 which in turn preferably comprises a plurality of piezoelectric measuring elements; three piezo-electric measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c in FIG. 1. The measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c are arranged on a measuring flange 12 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 which can be part of the powertrain test bench 1 or the powertrain 3. Further preferably, strain gauges can also be used as measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c.

[0127] The measuring flange connects a first shaft section 5a to a second shaft section 5b of the shafting 3. The shafting 5a, 5b rotates about a rotational axis D, which is indicated in FIG. 5 by dashed/dotted lines.

[0128] The drive unit 2 can both be a component part of the powertrain test bench 1 or of the powertrain 3 depending on which components of a powertrain 3 are to be tested on the powertrain test bench 1.

[0129] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the powertrain 3 comprises the drive unit 2, the shafting 5a, 5b, a differential 13 as well as axial segments (no reference number). A flow of power can be transmitted from the drive unit 2 to the load units 14a, 14b via the first shaft section 5a, the measuring flange 12, the first piezoelectric force sensor, the differential 13 and the axial segments.

[0130] The test bench 1 further comprises a support apparatus 10 on which the drive test bench as a whole, individual elements of the powertrain test bench 1 and/or even the powertrain 3 are mounted. The support apparatus 10 can thereby comprise mechanical structures for supporting the individual elements on, for example, the floor of a test bench hall. Further preferably, the support apparatus 10 can comprise a base plate or be designed as such.

[0131] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, at least the drive unit 2 and the power units 14a, 14b are supported by the support apparatus 10.

[0132] The flow of power, which is preferably generated by the drive unit 2, induces a flow of force which, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, extends from the support apparatus 10 via the drive unit 2, the powertrain 3 and the load units 14a, 14b in turn back to the support apparatus 10. The support apparatus 10 thereby provides the respective reactive forces for supporting the drive unit 2 and the load unit 14a, 14b. The measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c are preferably configured and designed to measure forces in the F plane; i.e. a plane parallel to the xy-plane of the depicted reference system. The first force sensor 4 preferably comprises piezo elements 4a, 4b, 4c which utilize the piezoelectric shear effect. In the exemplary embodiment shown, forces or respectively torques on the measuring flange 12 are introduced into the piezo elements 4a, 4b, 4c via end faces of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c. The end faces of the piezo elements 4a, 4b, 4c are thereby preferably frictionally connected to a surface of the measuring flange 12.

[0133] When there is a force on the measuring flange 12 in the x-direction and/or the y-direction of the reference system, the piezoelectric measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c thus generate corresponding measurement signals by way of the piezoelectric shear effect. The same applies when a torque acting in the z-direction is applied to the measuring flange 12.

[0134] Alternatively or additionally, the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c can realize a force measurement perpendicular to the first plane F. To that end, the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c preferably utilize the piezoelectric longitudinal effect or the piezoelectric transverse effect. When forces are measured both in the first plane F as well as perpendicular thereto, there are preferably both measuring elements able to measure forces in the z-direction as well as measuring elements able to measure forces in the x-plane or xy-plane. Further preferably, each of the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c comprises at least two piezo elements connected in series with respect to the force flow, whereby a first piezo element utilizes the piezoelectric shear effect and a second piezo element utilizes the piezoelectric transverse or longitudinal effect.

[0135] FIG. 6 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a test bench 1 with which a misalignment of a shafting can be detected during test bench operation.

[0136] The substantial difference between the test bench 1 of the second exemplary embodiment from FIG. 6 and the second exemplary embodiment from FIG. 5 is that a force sensor 11 is not arranged in the power flow between the drive unit 2 and the load units 14a, 14b but rather between the support apparatus 10 and the drive unit 2.

[0137] Through this arrangement, the first force sensor 4 measures the reactive force that the support apparatus 10 exerts on the drive unit 2 upon torque between the shafting 5 and the drive unit 2.

[0138] The force sensor 11 can thereby preferably be supported, as depicted in FIG. 6, in the axial direction of rotational axis D. However, the drive unit 2 could equally also be supported laterally downward or upward by the force sensor 11, as shown in the top view according to FIG. 1a, FIG. 1b or FIG. 7. Depending on how the piezoelectric measuring elements 11a, 11b, 11c engage with the drive unit 2, elements are then employed which have a piezoelectric shear effect, a piezoelectric longitudinal or transverse effect or, as explained above with reference to FIG. 5, two different effects.

[0139] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6 as well, forces are preferably measured in plane C; D and/or perpendicular to the G; H plane.

[0140] It is also possible to combine the second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5 with the third exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6: For example, the second exemplary embodiment could thus also have a measuring flange 12 on which a further piezoelectric force sensor is arranged. This second piezoelectric force sensor could then define a second plane F for measuring forces and/or moments.

[0141] Moreover, further piezoelectric force sensors for measuring the reactive forces on the load units 14a, 14b could be present and these further piezoelectric force sensors as well could preferably support the respective load unit 14a, 14b relative to the support apparatus, in particular relative to a ground or base plate 10, so that the reactive forces between the load units 14a, 14b and the support apparatus 10 can also be measured here as well.

[0142] Compared to directly measuring forces in the shafting 5, the measuring of reactive forces according to FIG. 6 has the advantage of the respective force sensor 4 having no influence on the moment of inertia and the momentum of the shafting 5.

[0143] A fourth exemplary embodiment of a powertrain test bench by means of which a misalignment of a shafting can be detected is shown in FIG. 7.

[0144] The powertrain 3 comprises only one shafting 5 as well as one drive unit 2 as applicable. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment of a test bench according to FIG. 1, reactive forces of both the load unit 14 as well as the drive unit 2 vis-a-vis the support apparatus 10 are measured, preferably in respect of at least one measuring plane A, B on the load unit 14 and in respect of at least one measuring plane G, H on the drive unit 2.

[0145] Just as in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the powertrain 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment or according to the second exemplary embodiment can, however, also comprise further elements, particularly a gear mechanism or differential, axial segments, etc.

[0146] However, it could also be provided in this exemplary embodiment for the respective force sensor 4, 11 to comprise two elements connected in series with respect to the force flow so that two different measuring directions, in particular two mutually orthogonal measuring directions, are possible. In particular, these measurement directions could be aligned in the y- and x-direction. A force in the z-direction could also be measured by way of a third piezo element in the measuring elements of the force sensors 4, 11.

[0147] FIG. 8 shows a detail of a powertrain test bench 1 according to FIG. 1, 5, 6 or 7 or a separate control unit configured to control the powertrain test bench 1.

[0148] A signal processing device 7 comprises means 8 configured to analyze a measured value or a measured value profile of the force measurement for the detection of a misalignment of the shafting 5; 5a, 5b, means 9 for determining target values for a position correction of the load unit or the drive unit in order to minimize the misalignment, and means 10, in particular an interface, for outputting the target values. Further preferably, the signal processing device 7 comprises means 15 which control the adjusting device 12a, 12, 12c on the basis of the output target values. The signal processing device 7 is signal-connected both to the measuring elements 4a, 4b, 4c of the force sensor as well as to the adjusting device 12a, 12, 12c.

[0149] The exemplary embodiments described above are only examples which are in no way intended to limit the scope of protection, application and configuration. Rather, the foregoing description is to provide the person skilled in the art with a guideline for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby various modifications can be made, particularly as regards the function and arrangement of the described components, without departing from the scope of protection as results from the claims of its and equivalent combinations of features. In particular, individual exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another, in particular as regards the powertrain test bench or the measuring arrangement. Thus, in particular the exemplary embodiments of the powertrain test bench of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 could also comprise an adjusting device 12a, 12b, 12c. The sequence of the work steps of the described method 100 can also deviate from that as depicted. Likewise, the force measurement, particularly on the shaft, can be realized by way of sensors based on strain gauges.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0150] 1 powertrain test bench [0151] 2 drive unit [0152] 3 powertrain [0153] 4 first piezoelectric force sensor [0154] 4a, 4b, 4c piezoelectric measuring element [0155] 5, 5a, 5b shafting [0156] 6 incremental encoder [0157] 7 signal processing device [0158] 8, 9, 10, 15 means of signal processing device [0159] 11 second piezoelectric force sensor [0160] 12 measuring flange [0161] 13 differential/gear mechanism [0162] 14, 14a, 14b load unit