JP2004191108A - Tire testing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple and compact device capable of testing accurately testing a tire even if an endless belt is run at high speed, and prolonging the service life of the endless belt. <P>SOLUTION: This tire testing device 10 is equipped with the endless belt 16 having a belt surface 16S abutting on a tire T, and a primary side coil 18 of a linear motor for generating an eddy current and generating a running force on the endless belt 16. Hereby, the endless belt 16 can be used as a reaction plate (secondary side) of the linear motor, and a driving force can be directly transferred. Consequently, the endless belt 16 is prevented from being slipped, to thereby enable an accurate test. In addition, a frictional force is not required to be generated between the endless belt 16 and a drum, and a belt tension can be reduced, to thereby prolong the service life of the endless belt 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tire testing apparatus for rotating a tire by contacting the running endless belt with the tire, and more particularly, to a tire testing apparatus most suitable for testing tire characteristics and durability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a tire testing device for testing tire characteristics and the like on a simulated road surface, a testing device using a drum type road surface and a testing device using a belt type road surface are known.
[0003]
As a tire test apparatus using a belt-type road surface, an apparatus in which an endless belt having a simulated road surface is stretched over a driving drum and a driven drum is generally used. In this tire testing apparatus, a test tire is pressed against an upper portion of an endless belt, and the test tire is rotated by running the endless belt to perform a test.
[0004]
In such a tire testing device using a belt-type road surface, water may be jetted from a watering nozzle onto an endless belt to test a running state on a wet road surface. In this case, when water enters between the drum and the endless belt, a hydroplaning phenomenon occurs, and undesired phenomena such as an unstable running speed due to slippage of the endless belt and a shift of the endless belt in the width direction occur. .
[0005]
For this reason, a countermeasure for providing a drain groove on the outer peripheral surface of the drum has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP, 2002-39919, A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, in order to support a load from a tire, a test device that supports an endless belt with a fluid bearing from a side opposite to a contact surface of the tire has been frequently used in recent years.
[0008]
However, when a liquid is used in the fluid bearing, when the endless belt is run at a high speed, there is a problem that the liquid in the fluid bearing may be caught between the drum and the endless belt, causing a slip. This has not been solved by the measure proposed in Patent Document 1. In this specification, a fluid bearing refers to a mechanism that movably supports an object with a thin layer of fluid. The fluid supply unit side has a wide wedge-shaped gap, and a mechanism that supports the load applied from the two solid walls by the pressure of the (fluid) lubricating fluid generated by the relative speed difference between the two solid walls sandwiching the gap. There are many.
[0009]
Further, the drum driving force is transmitted to the belt by frictional force due to belt tension. For this reason, there is a problem that a high-strength belt must be used, and the life of the belt and the drum is shortened.
[0010]
Further, it is necessary to provide a belt tension applying device capable of strongly generating a belt tension, and a separate installation location of a drum driving motor is required, which requires a large installation and a large installation space. There was also a problem.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compact tire testing device that can accurately test even an endless belt running at a high speed and that has a long lifespan.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is characterized by comprising an endless belt for rotating a tire in contact with a belt surface, and a stator of a linear motor for running the endless belt as a movable element.
[0013]
As the linear motor, any of an induction type (LIM), a pulse type (LPM), and a direct current type (LDM) can be used.
[0014]
By passing a current through the stator, a driving force is directly applied to the endless belt, which is a mover, and the endless belt is used as a reaction plate (secondary side) of the linear motor.
[0015]
Thus, when a drum is provided around which the endless belt is wound, even if a liquid such as water enters between the drum and the endless belt, no slip occurs, so that an accurate test can be performed. In addition, since there is no need to generate a frictional force between the endless belt and the drum, and the belt tension can be reduced, the life of the endless belt can be extended, and the tire is manufactured in comparison with a conventional tire testing device using a belt-type road surface. Cost and maintenance cost can be reduced.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the linear motor is an induction type linear motor, and a driving force is generated in the endless belt by causing an eddy current in the endless belt by the stator.
[0017]
The material of the endless belt is preferably aluminum, copper, or non-magnetic stainless steel having excellent strength, which is a general material for a reaction plate and can efficiently generate an eddy current.
[0018]
The moving magnetic field is generated by passing an alternating current through the coil of the stator (primary stator), and an eddy current corresponding to the moving magnetic field is generated in the endless belt. The driving force is generated by the speed difference between the endless belt and the moving magnetic field. Is transmitted. This makes it easy to run the endless belt as a mover.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that a fluid bearing for supporting the load from the tire is provided inside the endless belt, and the tire comes into contact with the fluid bearing from outside the endless belt toward the fluid bearing. I do.
[0020]
By providing the stator inside the endless belt in this manner, it is not necessary to provide a place for installing the drive motor of the endless belt in a region outside the belt, and the installation space is reduced as compared with the conventional tire testing device. . In addition, since the running force is directly applied to the endless belt from the stator, if a drum is provided to hang the endless belt, even if the liquid in the fluid bearing enters between the drum and the endless belt, the endless belt will slip. It is possible to drive at high speed without causing it to run.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a fluid bearing for supporting the load from the tire is provided outside the endless belt, and the tire is brought into contact with the fluid bearing from inside the endless belt toward the fluid bearing. I do.
[0022]
By arranging the tire inside the endless belt in this way, the size of the tire testing device can be further reduced.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the stator is arranged on the opposite endless belt side of the fluid bearing.
[0024]
Thus, even if a suction force is exerted on the endless belt by the stator, the endless belt is supported by the fluid bearing, so that it is not necessary to newly provide a mechanism for supporting the endless belt, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified.
[0025]
In the invention according to claim 6, the stator is provided on both sides of an equatorial plane of the tire so as to sandwich a ground contact center of the tire, and a driving force of each stator applied to the endless belt can be adjusted. There is a feature.
[0026]
Thereby, the running force applied to the endless belt by each stator can be made different from each other on both sides of the equatorial plane of the tire, and the rotational moment around the ground contact surface can be applied to the endless belt. Therefore, it is not necessary to newly provide a steering mechanism in the tire testing device.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the angle of the stator with respect to the belt running direction is adjustable.
[0028]
For example, two or more sets of coils may be provided as stators on both sides of the tire equatorial plane so that the orientation is variable.
[0029]
Here, the angle of the stator with respect to the belt running direction means the angle between the direction of the force applied to the endless belt by the stator (the traveling direction of the moving magnetic field in the case of the induction type linear motor) and the belt running direction.
[0030]
According to the invention described in claim 7, a deviation (slip angle) occurs between the direction of the force applied to the endless belt by the stator and the running direction of the endless belt, and a lateral force can be generated. Therefore, a running test in which a lateral force is applied to the tire can be performed, and it is not necessary to newly provide a steering mechanism in the tire testing device, similarly to the invention described in claim 6. Moreover, the magnitude of the lateral force can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation angle.
[0031]
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the stators are provided inside and outside the endless belt, respectively, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the endless belt.
[0032]
Thereby, the suction force exerted on the endless belt from the stator can be offset. Therefore, by increasing the number of stators by one, the running force of the endless belt is increased, and it is not necessary to newly provide a support mechanism against the suction force.
[0033]
The invention according to claim 9 is a fluid bearing that contacts the surface of the endless belt opposite to the tire contact surface to support the load from the tire via the endless belt, and an anti-endless fluid bearing. A lateral force supporting stator disposed on the belt side and applying a moving force in a direction intersecting with the belt traveling direction to the endless belt.
[0034]
As a result, even in a tire testing device in which the belt driving stator is arranged symmetrically with respect to the endless belt, a running test in which a lateral force is applied to the tire can be performed, and the lateral force supporting mechanism of the tire testing device can be used. Can be simplified.
[0035]
The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the angle of the lateral force supporting stator with respect to the belt running direction is adjustable.
[0036]
Here, the angle of the lateral force supporting stator with respect to the belt running direction refers to the direction of the force applied to the endless belt by the lateral force supporting stator (the traveling direction of the moving magnetic field in an induction type linear motor) and the belt running direction. Means the angle between
[0037]
According to the tenth aspect, a deviation (slip angle) is generated between the direction of the force applied to the endless belt by the lateral force supporting stator and the running direction of the endless belt, and a lateral force can be generated. Therefore, a running test in which a lateral force is applied to the tire can be performed, and it is not necessary to newly provide a steering mechanism in the tire testing device. Moreover, the magnitude of the lateral force can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation angle.
[0038]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments.
[0039]
[First form]
First, the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a tire testing apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment includes a pair of drums 12 and 14 and an endless belt 16 that is wound around the drums 12 and 14 and a test tire T contacts an outer peripheral surface from above. And an induction type linear motor primary coil 18 that generates an eddy current in the endless belt 16 to generate a driving force (rotational force).
[0040]
The endless belt 16 is a flat belt, and a belt road surface 16S is formed on the outside. The material of the endless belt 16 is aluminum, copper, or non-magnetic stainless steel having excellent strength.
[0041]
A fluid bearing 22 for supporting the load from the tire T is provided inside the endless belt 16 so as to sandwich the endless belt 16 between the endless belt 16 and the tire T. It is provided in.
[0042]
In order to perform a running test of a tire using the tire test apparatus 10, the tire T is placed at a test position and brought into contact with the belt road surface 16S of the endless belt 16. In this state, the fluid bearing 22 supports the load from the tire T.
[0043]
Then, a current flows through the primary coil 18. When a current is applied to the primary coil 18, a magnetic field is generated by the current (Ampaire's right-handed screw rule), whereby the magnetic field passing through the endless belt 16 changes, and an eddy current is generated in the endless belt 16 in a direction to cancel it. (Fleming's right-hand rule). As a result, a running force is generated on the endless belt 16. The running of the endless belt 16 rotates the tire T, and the running test starts.
[0044]
When a current flows through the primary coil 18, a force is generated to attract the endless belt 16 to the primary coil 18, but the fluid bearing 22 supports the endless belt 16 from the inside and also serves as a cushioning material. Accordingly, the endless belt 16 can smoothly slide and run on the fluid bearing 22.
[0045]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the endless belt 16 can be used as the reaction plate (secondary side) of the linear motor, and the driving force can be directly transmitted. Therefore, since the slip of the fluid bearing 22 due to the liquid does not occur, the tire test can be accurately performed. Further, even if the endless belt is attracted by the primary coil 18, the endless belt 16 is supported by the fluid bearing 22, so that there is no need to newly provide a support mechanism, and the apparatus configuration is simple.
[0046]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 2, the tire test apparatus 30 of the second embodiment has primary coils 28A and 28B of an induction type linear motor in place of the primary coil 18 (see FIG. 1) as compared with the first embodiment. The primary coils 28A and 28B are arranged at positions symmetrical inside and outside the endless belt 16, respectively, and face each other via the endless belt 16.
[0048]
According to the second mode, when the primary coils 28A, 28B are energized and the endless belt 16 is run, the attractive forces exerted on the endless belt 16 from the primary coils 28A, 28B are in opposite directions to each other. The suction force can be offset. Therefore, the downward force applied to the endless belt 16 can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment.
[0049]
[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tire test apparatus 40 of the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a primary coil 38 for supporting a lateral force of an induction linear motor is further provided below the fluid bearing 22. I have. The primary coil 38 has a variable orientation with respect to the belt running direction.
[0051]
In order to use the tire testing apparatus 40, the primary coils 28A and 28B for driving the belt are energized to run the endless belt 16, and the primary coil 38 for supporting the lateral force is also energized so that the lateral direction (running). (A direction orthogonal to the direction) is applied to the endless belt 16.
[0052]
In the third embodiment, the primary coil 38 for lateral force support is provided inside the endless belt 16 in this manner, so that the lateral force support mechanism can be simplified. Further, by adjusting the direction of the primary coil 38 with respect to the belt running direction, the magnitude of the lateral moving force applied to the endless belt 16 can be set to a desired value.
[0053]
[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a tire testing device 50 of a fourth embodiment includes an endless belt 56 with which a test tire T contacts from the inside, and an inductive linear device that generates an eddy current in the endless belt 56 to generate a running force. And a primary coil 58 of the motor. The endless belt 56 is a flat belt, and a belt road surface 56S is formed inside.
[0054]
A fluid bearing 22 for supporting a load from the tire T is provided outside the endless belt 56 so as to sandwich the endless belt 56 between the endless belt 56 and the tire T. It is provided in.
[0055]
According to the fourth embodiment, there is no need to provide the drums 12 and 14 (see FIG. 1) as in the first embodiment, and the support mechanism for the endless belt 56 can be simplified.
[0056]
[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, in the tire testing apparatus of the fifth embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, the pair of primary coils 68A and 68B of the induction type linear motor It is provided on both sides of the equatorial plane E. The primary side coils 68A and 68B are mounted on the rotating plate 70 so that the direction with respect to the belt running direction is variable.
[0057]
When the running test is performed by applying a rotational moment around the ground contact surface to the tire T using the tire testing apparatus of the fifth embodiment, the driving force applied to the endless belt by the primary coil 68, the tension of the endless belt, the running speed, the tire T The rotation angle of the rotation plate 70 is determined so that a desired rotation moment is applied in consideration of the pressing force or the like.
[0058]
In the fifth embodiment, a lateral force can be generated by causing a deviation (slip angle) between the traveling direction of the endless belt and the traveling direction of the moving magnetic field. Therefore, a running test can be performed by applying a desired amount of lateral force to the tire T, and there is no need to newly provide a steering mechanism in the tire testing device. Moreover, the magnitude of the lateral force can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation angle of the rotation plate 70.
[0059]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, these embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, a simple and compact tire testing apparatus that can accurately test even if the endless belt is run at high speed and that has a long life of the endless belt is realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a mechanism for running an endless belt of a tire testing device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a mechanism for running an endless belt of a tire testing device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a mechanism for running an endless belt of a tire testing device according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a mechanism for running an endless belt of a tire testing device according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing that the angle of a linear motor primary coil with respect to a running direction of a tire is variable in a tire testing device according to a fifth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Tire testing device 16 Endless belt 18 Primary coil (stator)
22 Fluid bearings 28A, B Primary coil 30 Tire testing device 38 Primary coil (lateral force supporting stator)
40 tire testing device 50 tire testing device 56 endless belt 58 primary coil (stator)
68A, B Primary coil (stator)
T tires

Claims (10)

An endless belt that rotates the tires that contact the belt surface,
A stator of a linear motor that drives the endless belt as a mover,
A tire testing device comprising: The tire testing device according to claim 1, wherein the linear motor is an induction type linear motor, and a driving force is generated in the endless belt by causing an eddy current in the endless belt by the stator. The fluid bearing for supporting a load from the tire is provided inside the endless belt, and the tire is brought into contact with the tire from the outside of the endless belt toward the fluid bearing. Tire testing equipment. The fluid bearing for supporting a load from the tire is provided outside the endless belt, and the tire is brought into contact with the fluid bearing from inside the endless belt toward the fluid bearing. Tire testing equipment. The tire testing device according to claim 3, wherein the stator is disposed on a side of the fluid bearing opposite the endless belt. The said stator is provided in the both sides of the equatorial plane of the said tire so that the ground contact center of the said tire may be sandwiched, The driving force of each stator given to the said endless belt can each be adjusted. A tire testing device as described. The tire testing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an angle of the stator with respect to a belt running direction is adjustable. The tire testing device according to claim 1, wherein the stator is provided inside and outside the endless belt, and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the endless belt. A fluid bearing that abuts on the surface of the endless belt opposite to the tire contact surface and supports the load from the tire via the endless belt;
A lateral force supporting stator arranged on the opposite endless belt side of the fluid bearing and applying a moving force in a direction intersecting a belt running direction to the endless belt;
The tire testing apparatus according to claim 8, comprising: The tire testing device according to claim 9, wherein an angle of the lateral force supporting stator with respect to a belt running direction is adjustable.

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