초록 ▼

The subject brake test apparatus operates in conjunction with a vehicle having a source of power, a traction motor controllably connected to the power source and to at least one vehicle wheel, and a vehicle brake associated with at least one vehicle wheel. An actuator controllably engages and diseng

The subject brake test apparatus operates in conjunction with a vehicle having a source of power, a traction motor controllably connected to the power source and to at least one vehicle wheel, and a vehicle brake associated with at least one vehicle wheel. An actuator controllably engages and disengages the vehicle brake in response to receiving respective brake control signals, and a transducer produces wheel rotation signals in response to rotation of at least one of the vehicle wheels. A processor controllably delivers a brake engaging signal to the actuator and engages the vehicle brake. A predetermined amount of power from the power source is delivered to the traction motor for a predetermined period of time. In response to receiving wheel rotation signals from the transducer, the processor determines the degree of rotation of the vehicle wheels during at least a predetermined portion of the period of time that the traction motor is energized, and produces a brake status signal in response to amount of rotation of the vehicle wheels. The brake test apparatus advantageously produces an objective result, and is fully automatic in operation. Therefore, it is particularyl well suited to use on unmanned vehicles.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for controllably testing the brakes of a wheeled vehicle in response to receiving a brake test command signal, said vehicle having a source of power, a traction motor controllably connected to said power source and to at least one vehicle wheel, and a vehicle brake associated with at least

Apparatus for controllably testing the brakes of a wheeled vehicle in response to receiving a brake test command signal, said vehicle having a source of power, a traction motor controllably connected to said power source and to at least one vehicle wheel, and a vehicle brake associated with at least one vehicle wheel, comprising: transducer means for producing wheel rotation signals in response to rotation of at least one of said vehicle wheels; actuator means for controllably engaging and disengaging said vehicle brake in response to receiving respective brake engaging and disengaging control signals; and processor means for receiving said brake test command signal and responsively producing said brake engaging control signal, delivering said brake engaging control signal to said actuator means and engaging said vehicle brake, controllably supplying a predetermined amount of power from said power source to said traction motor for a predetermined period of time, receiving said wheel rotation signals from said transducer means and determining the degree of rotation of said vehicle wheels during a predetermined portion of said predetermined period of time, and producing a brake status signal in response to said determined degree of rotation of said vehicle wheels.