System and method for testing a vehicle

• US 8,225,651 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2008
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
• Original Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
• Inventors: Scheepers, Bart Theodoor Maria, Versmissen, Antonius Cornelis Maria, Ploeg, Jeroen, Corbeij, Rene Mathieu, Schutyser, Pieter Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kirkland, III, Freddie
• Application Number:
  US12/602,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20100170330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 731/160.1, 7311606-11608, 731/180.1
• US Class Current: 73/116.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0072 the wheels of the vehicle co-operating with rotatable rolls G01M17/022, G01M17/045, G01M17/065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0078 Shock-testing of vehicles

Abstract

A test system (1) is arranged for testing vehicle systems which comprise at least one sensor (20). The test system comprises a test stand (11) for accommodating a vehicle (2), an object (12) which is movable relative to the test stand, and a control unit (13) for controlling the movement of the object. The test stand (11) is provided with a speed measurement unit (14) for detecting the virtual speed (v) of the vehicle, while the control unit (13) is arranged for controlling the movement of the object in dependence on said virtual speed. The object (12) preferably is a dummy vehicle which may be pulled along a track (16).

Claims

1. A test system for testing vehicle systems comprising at least one sensor, the test system comprising:

a test stand for accommodating a vehicle,

a sensor support for accommodating the at least one sensor,

an object which is movable relative to the at least one sensor,

a track, the object being movable relative to the at least one sensor along the track

at least one deceleration member at an end of the track capable of absorbing kinetic energy of the object,

a speed measurement unit for detecting a virtual speed of the vehicle; and

a control unit for controlling a relative movement of the object towards the at least one sensor along the track in dependence on said virtual speed detected by the speed measurement unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged for controlling the relative movement of the object also in dependence on a test scenario.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object is pivotally arranged.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the test stand comprises a roller bench and/or endless belts.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object is designed to withstand decelerations exceeding 20 g.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is detached from the vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor support is pivotally arranged, and wherein any pivotal movement of the sensor is controlled by the control unit.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is located in the vehicle.

9. A control unit for use in the test system according to claim 1.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the speed measurement unit is configured to derive the virtual speed is preferably derived from a rotational speed of at least one driven wheel of the vehicle.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the test stand comprises a roller bench with a test bank roller and wherein the speed measurement unit is configured to measure the rotational speed by measuring the rotational speed of the test bank roller.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the speed measurement unit is configured to measure the rotational speed of the driven wheel directly using optical and/or electromagnetic detectors.

13. A method of testing vehicle systems comprising at least one sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

accommodating a vehicle on a test stand,

detecting a virtual speed of the vehicle,

controlling a movement of an object, on a track, relative to the at least one sensor, wherein at least one deceleration member is positioned at an end of the track, the deceleration member being positioned to absorb kinetic energy from the object, and

the relative movement of the object along the track being controlled in dependence on said virtual speed until the object is brought to a halt by the at least one deceleration member.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the controlling step comprises controlling the relative movement of the object also in dependence on a test scenario.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the object is movable on a track.