Modeling and Experimental Tests of a Mechatronic Device to Measure Road Profiles Considering Impact Dynamics

The objective of this work is the theoretical and experimental investigation of the dynamical behavior of a mechanism designed to measure road profiles. The design solution allows the measurement of two road profiles independently and eliminates the effects of the vehicle dynamics on the results. For describing the mechanism dynamics, a theoretical model employing the Newton-Euler's Method is developed. Non-linear equations of motions and constraint equations are numerically solved. A test rig is specially designed, aiming at testing the physical model in laboratory. Theoretical and experimental results show that the contact between the mechanism and the road profiles is not permanent depending on: (a) the mechanism parameters; (b) the linear velocity over a surface; (c) the amplitude of the road profiles. Impact dynamics is taken into account while elaborating the theoretical. A time variant system of equations is achieved and solved, making possible the determination of the operational range (linear velocity limits) of the mechanism, without loss of contact with the road.