Apparatus for determining side-slip characteristics of a moving vehicle

摘要

A test apparatus for measuring side-slip and gravity slip of a vehicle moving along a curved road or travelling across downhill. The test apparatus is adapted to be towed by a vehicle. The test apparatus is connected to a vehicle by a bar which has the other end connected to a vertically extending bushing which houses a pivot member extending perpendicularly to a riding surface. The lower end of the pivot member is connected pivotably to a wheel fork horizontally extending and supporting a test wheel in contact with a riding surface, while the other end of the pivot member extends out of the upper portion of the bushing and is connected by a horizontally extending level member which has the other end connected to a counterweight. An angle-measuring sensor is disposed over the upper end of the pivot member and is supported on a bracket secured to the upper end of the bushing. The moving portion of the sensor is connected to the upper end of the pivot member so that an angle measurement can be obtained between the bushing and the pivot member as the vehicle travels along a curved path. The level and the counterweight possess a mass which is equivalent to the mass of the wheel fork and the test wheel, thereby obtaining a static balance. A measuring device is secured to the wheel fork and is in frictional contact with the test wheel to take a measurement of distance. A further sensor is mounted over the test wheel axle, thereby aligning with the position of contact of the test wheel with the riding surface for measuring linear and centrifugal accelerations.