| 摘要 |
<p>The invention provides in one aspect a suspension testing apparatus which uses air bearings (96) which have a low coefficient of friction. The invention provides in a second aspect suspension testing apparatus which ensures accurate measurement of suspension characteristics since the apparatus applies forces directly below the centre of the vehicle wheel hub (12) (or forwardly or rearwardly therefrom at a distance equivalent to the pneumatic trail of the tyre in the wheel (12)) to ensure that the point of application of a force remains constant despite rotation of the support means (10) for the wheel (12) during deflection of the vehicle wheel (12). The invention in a third aspect provides new sensor means (22) for measuring the vehicle wheel deflection which uses a minimum number of transducers (162, 163, 164) to accurately monitor tyre and wheel deflection during use. The invention provides in a fourth aspect testing apparatus which uses mechanical actuators (15, 23) rather than hydraulic actuators to cause motion of the support means, which give an indication of the displacement of the support means. In a sixth aspect the invention provides a method of testing a vehicle suspension using the apparatus of the invention.</p> |
