WO2001088499A2

WO2001088499A2 - Loading of a motor of a road vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2001088499A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2001/000049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christiaan De Weerdt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-18
Filing date: 2001-04-26
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2002-11-18
Also published as: AU2001257645A1; WO2001088499A3

Abstract

This invention relates to a device (10) for loading a motor of a road vehicle. The device (10) includes a pair of vehicle drive wheel support rollers (12, 14) arranged in tandem about parallel axes (16, 18). The device (10) further includes drive means drivingly interconnecting the rollers (12, 14) to control rotation of the rollers (12, 14) relative to each other to be in the same direction and at a predetermined, peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1:1. When driving the rollers (12, 14) via a drive wheel of the vehicle, the discrepancy in peripheral speeds between the drive wheel and at least one roller (12, 14) causes drag and thus loading the motor. The invention extends to a method of loading a motor of a road vehicle, and also to an arrangement for loading a motor of a road vehicle.

Description

LOADING OF A MOTOR OF A ROAD VEHICLE

THIS INVENTION relates to loading of a motor of a road vehicle for testing or tuning purposes. It more particularly relates to a method of loading a motor of a road vehicle, and to a device for loading a motor of a road vehicle.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of loading a motor of a road vehicle including supporting a drive wheel of the vehicle on a pair of rollers Tollable in tandem about axes generally parallel to an axis of the drive wheel; drivingly interconnecting the rollers to control rotation of the rollers relative to each other to be in the same direction and at a predetermined, peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 : 1 ; and driving the drive wheel to cause rotation of the rollers at unequal peripheral speeds, and a discrepancy between the peripheral speeds of the drive wheel and at least one of the rollers.

Such discrepancy between the drive wheel and a respective roller may advantageously be accommodated across an interface by resilient flexing of a tread of a tyre on the drive wheel. Some slip may also occur. The flexing causes drag on the drive wheel, thus loading the motor.

The method may also be performed on a second drive wheel of the road vehicle by means of a second pair of rollers similarly supporting the second drive wheel and drivingly connecting the second pair of rollers to the first mentioned pair of rollers.

The method may include drivingly interconnecting corresponding rollers in each pair of rollers to cause the corresponding rollers to rotate in unison. Said corresponding rollers may be integral.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of loading a motor of a road vehicle including supporting two opposing drive wheels of the vehicle respectively on two pairs of rollers, the rollers in the respective pairs being Tollable about diverging axes, the divergence in the respective pairs of rollers being opposed; and driving the drive wheels to cause rotation of the rollers and thus a discrepancy in lateral direction over interfaces between the respective drive wheels and the respective rollers, lateral force between one drive wheel and its pair of rollers being counter balanced by lateral force between the other drive wheel and its pair of rollers.

In accordance with a third aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of testing an operating aspect of a motor of a road vehicle including loading the motor in accordance with either of the first or second aspects of this invention and testing said operating aspect under load. The motor may be an internal combustion engine, and the operating aspect may relate to exhaust emission.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for loading a motor of a road vehicle which includes a pair of vehicle drive wheel support rollers arranged in tandem about parallel axes; and drive means drivingly interconnecting the rollers to control rotation of the rollers relative to each other to be in the same direction and at a predetermined, peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 :1.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for loading a motor of a road vehicle which includes two pairs of vehicle drive wheel support rollers; and drive means drivingly interconnecting each of the pairs of rollers to control rotation of the rollers in the respective pairs to be in the same direction and at a predetermined, peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 : 1.

Corresponding rollers in the pairs may be drivingly interconnected to rotate in unison. Said corresponding rollers may be integral.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for loading a motor of a road vehicle which device includes two opposed pairs of vehicle drive wheel support rollers, the rollers in the respective pairs being Tollable about diverging axes, and the divergence in the respective pairs of rollers being opposed. The device may include a frame supporting the rollers rollably.

By way of development, in accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement for loading a motor of a road vehicle which includes a device as herein described, and vehicle anchoring means for anchoring a vehicle in position on the rollers.

Said arrangement may include testing apparatus for testing an operating aspect of the motor. When the motor is an internal combustion engine, the testing apparatus may include exhaust emission testing apparatus.

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a part sectional top plan view of a device for loading a motor of a road vehicle, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the device taken at ll-ll in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a side view of another embodiment of the device of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 4 shows a part sectional top plan view of another device for loading a motor of a road vehicle, in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a device for loading a motor of a road vehicle is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The device 10 includes a pair of rollers 12 and 14 which are Tollable in tandem about parallel axes 16 and 18. The rollers 12 and 14 are connected to the axes 16 and 18, and are drivingly interconnected to control rotation thereof to be in the same direction and at a predetermined peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 : 1 , by drive means in the form of pulleys 20 and 22, respectively connected to the axes 16 and 18, over which pulleys a V-belt 24 is guided.

The device 10 further includes a frame 26 having supports 28 which include bearings, for rollably supporting the axes 16 and 18, and hence the rollers 12 and 14.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the device 10 taken at ll-ll in Figure 1 . A drive wheel 30, shown in dotted, of a road vehicle is supported on the rollers 12 and 14. The drive wheel 30 engages frictionally with the rollers 12 and 14. The rollers 12 and 14 have the same outer diameter, but the pulley 20 has a smaller outer diameter than the pulley 22. Upon driving of the wheel 30 by the motor of the vehicle, the rollers 12 and 14 are caused to rotate in the same direction. The difference in the respective diameters of the pulleys 20 and 22 causes the rollers 12 and 14 to rotate at a peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 :1 and hence commensurate longitudinal discrepancy over the contact areas between the respective rollers 12 and 14 and the wheel 30. The discrepancy between the drive wheel and a respective roller is advantageously resilient flexing of a tread of a tyre on the drive wheel.

Some slip may also occur. The motor of the road vehicle has to overcome drag due to the flexing, and is thus placed under load.

The frame 26 has inclined sides 26.1 and 26.2 serving as ramps. The ramps 26.1 and 26.2 enable a road vehicle to drive onto the rollers 12 and 14, when the device 10 is mounted on a workshop floor.

Figure 3 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the device 10. The embodiment of Figure 3 resembles the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and, accordingly, like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts or features.

In this embodiment, the rollers 12 and 14 have different outer diameters, and are interconnected via a chain 24 guided over sprockets 20 and 22, shown in concept only, respectively connected to the axes 16 and 18. The sprockets 20 and 22 have the same outer diameters. Upon driving of the wheel 30 by the motor of the vehicle, the rollers 12 and 14 are caused to rotate in the same direction, and at a peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 :1 , and hence the motor of the road vehicle is placed under load in a way similar to that hereinabove described.

Figure 4 shows in part sectional top plan view another device, generally indicated by reference numeral 32, for loading a motor of a road vehicle. The device 32 has two opposed pairs of vehicle drive wheel support rollers, the respective pairs being constituted by rollers 34 and 36, and 38 and 40, all of which have the same outer diameter. The rollers 34 and 36, and 38 and 40 in the respective pairs are connected to and Tollable about diverging axes 42, 44, 46 and 48 respectively. The divergence in the respective pairs of rollers is opposed.

Like the device 10, the device 32 has a frame 50 having supports 52 which include bearings, for rollably supporting the axes 42, 44, 46 and 48 and hence the rollers 34, 36, 38 and 40. The frame 50 also includes ramps 50.1 and 50.2.

In use, a road vehicle is positioned on the device 32 with one of its drive wheels on each of the pairs of rollers 34 and 36, and 38 and 40. The rollers are rotated by driving the wheels of the road vehicle. Due to the divergence of the opposed pairs of rollers 34 and 36, and 38 and 40, discrepancy in lateral direction over interfaces between the respective drive wheels and the respective rollers is commensurated. The motor of the road vehicle has to overcome drag due to resilient flexing of treads of tyres of the vehicle, and is thus placed under load. Slip may also occur. The opposed divergence of the pairs of rollers ensures that a road vehicle positioned on the rollers 34, 36, 38 and 40 is stabilised laterally.

For testing or tuning purposes of a motor of a four wheel driven road vehicle, there may be provided two parallel laterally spaced devices 10 or 32, for supporting all four drive wheels of the vehicle. The lateral distance between the two devices 10 or 32 may be adjustable, thereby to accommodate vehicles having different wheel bases.

The devices 10 and 32 both, may be in the form of arrangements in accordance with the invention. The devices 10 and 32 may thus further include anchoring means for anchoring a road vehicle in position on their respective rollers. The anchoring means, not shown, are straps secured to opposed longitudinal ends of the devices 10 and 32, and extend laterally across a body of the vehicle positioned on the rollers. The straps are adjustable in length and can, if desired, be used also to increase the force with which the vehicle rests on the rollers. The devices 10 and 32 may include also testing apparatus for testing an operating aspect of a motor of the vehicle. If the motor of the vehicle resting on the rollers is an internal combustion engine the testing apparatus may be in the form of exhaust emission testing apparatus.

The Applicant is of opinion that the present invention provides a relatively cheap device for loading a motor of a road vehicle for testing or tuning purposes. This, in turn, will enable more affordable, even more frequent, testing or tuning of motors of road vehicles. It is an advantage that a device in accordance with the invention need not be embedded in a workshop floor, and has relatively few parts or components subjected to wear.

The Applicant is of opinion that this invention will find advantageous application in testing internal combustion engines of road vehicles for exhaust emission - e.g. at the side of a public road.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A method of loading a motor of a road vehicle including supporting a drive wheel of the vehicle on a pair of rollers rollable in tandem about axes generally parallel to an axis of the drive wheel; drivingly interconnecting the rollers to control rotation of the rollers relative to each other to be in the same direction and at a predetermined, peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 : 1 ; and driving the drive wheel to cause rotation of the rollers at unequal peripheral speeds, and a discrepancy between the peripheral speeds of the drive wheel and at least one of the rollers.

2. A method of loading a motor of a road vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 , which includes performing the method also on a second drive wheel of the road vehicle by means of a second pair of rollers similarly supporting the second drive wheel and drivingly connecting the second pair of rollers to the first mentioned pair of rollers.

3. A method of loading a motor of a road vehicle as claimed in Claim 2, including drivingly interconnecting corresponding rollers in each pair of rollers to cause the corresponding rollers to rotate in unison.

4. A method of loading a motor of a road vehicle as claimed in Claim 3, in which said corresponding rollers are integral.

5. A method of loading a motor of a road vehicle including supporting two opposing drive wheels of the vehicle respectively on two pairs of rollers, the rollers in the respective pairs being rollable about diverging axes, the divergence in the respective pairs of rollers being opposed; and driving the drive wheels to cause rotation of the rollers and thus a discrepancy in lateral direction over interfaces between the respective drive wheels and the respective rollers, lateral force between one drive wheel and its pair of rollers being counter balanced by lateral force between the other drive wheel and its pair of rollers.

6. A method of testing an operating aspect of a motor of a road vehicle including loading the motor via a method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and testing said operating aspect under load.

7. A method of testing an operating aspect of a motor vehicle as claimed in Claim 6, in which the motor is an internal combustion engine, and the operating aspect relates to exhaust emission.

8. A device for loading a motor of a road vehicle which includes a pair of vehicle drive wheel support rollers arranged in tandem about parallel axes; and drive means drivingly interconnecting the rollers to control rotation of the rollers relative to each other to be in the same direction and at a predetermined, peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 :1 .

9. A device for loading a motor of a road vehicle which includes two pairs of vehicle drive wheel support rollers; and drive means drivingly interconnecting each of the pairs of rollers to control rotation of the rollers in the respective pairs to be in the same direction and at a predetermined, peripheral speed ratio unequal to 1 : 1 .

10; A device as claimed in Claim 9, in which corresponding rollers in the pairs are drivingly interconnected to rotate in unison.

1 1 . A device as claimed in Claim 10, in which said corresponding rollers are integral.

12. A device for loading a motor of a road vehicle which includes two opposed pairs of vehicle drive wheel support rollers, the rollers in the respective pairs being rollable about diverging axes, and the divergence in the respective pairs of rollers being opposed.

13. A device as claimed in any one of Claim 8 to Claim 12 inclusive, which includes a frame supporting the rollers rollably.

14. An arrangement for loading a motor of a road vehicle which includes a device as claimed in any one of Claim 8 to Claim 13 inclusive, and vehicle anchoring means for anchoring a vehicle in position on the rollers.

15. An arrangement for loading a motor of a road vehicle as claimed in Claim 14, which includes testing apparatus for testing an operating aspect of the motor.

16. An arrangement for loading a motor of a road vehicle as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the testing apparatus includes exhaust emission testing apparatus when the motor is an internal combustion engine.

17. A method of loading a motor of a road vehicle, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

18. A device for loading a motor of a road vehicle, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

19. An arrangement for loading a motor of a road vehicle, substantially as herein described and illustrated.