Reliable and efficient measurement of multi-axial in-service loads on cars and commercial vehicles

This article describes the VELOS force transducer (vehicle load sensor) that was developed at the Fraunhofer Institut für Betriebsfestigkeit (LBF).

Knowledge about the loads transferred to the wheels during driving is a basic requirement for the development of new vehicles. It is also required for the compilation of dimensioning documentation and for control programs for experimental strength tests, for functional capability, brake and gear testing and handling tests.

This article describes the VELOS force transducer (vehicle load sensor) that was developed at the Fraunhofer Institut für Betriebsfestigkeit (LBF). The forces and moments acting on the car or truck wheel during operation can be reliably and efficiently measured with this wheel sensor. The strain-gage measurement principle on which the wheel sensor is based is described and examples of measurement results are given.