Accelerometers, Force Sensors, Strain Sensors, Load Cells, and Signal Conditioners

Road load tests measure the transient and steady state inputs of a vehicle as it operates over a road surface in the anticipated market region of use or over a replicated drive profile on a test track. Road load measurements take into account all projected vehicle and driving parameters such as mass, inertia, rolling resistance, road characteristics, engine loads, and vehicle speed.

Road load data is one of the best sources of fundamental information necessary for analysis of the design, reliability, and structural integrity of vehicle components. The sensors must be accurate, but most importantly, they must be robust and reliable to survive the shock, heat, humidity, and contamination associated with various measurement locations on the vehicle and the adverse conditions of the road profile.

One of the key measurements for Road Load Data Acquisition (RLDA) is spindle force and motion, a measure of road input into the vehicle. The accuracy of both phase and amplitude are critical for this application as these multi-axis measurements are processed and used to drive vehicle simulators for durability validation. Any deviation from actual amplitude and phase could yield erroneous failure modes in the vehicle structure. PCB® sensor solutions ensure the accuracy of both amplitude and phase in a robust package ideally suited for ambient test environments.

PCB Series 3711F (single axis) and 3713F (triaxial) single-ended DC MEMS accelerometers are ideal for measuring low frequency spindle response under harsh conditions. Hermetically sealed in a titanium package, these DC MEMS accelerometers offer protection from the severe nature of RLDA testing including excellent high frequency overload protection from abrupt changes in road profiles and insensitivity to base strain and transverse acceleration effects. PCB Series 3741F (single axis) and 3743F (triaxial) differential DC MEMS accelerometers are also instrumental for RLDA testing. The differential output signal of these units enables common-mode noise rejection for accurate, repeatable performance in extreme measurement environments.

Stress profiles on components are sometimes desired in the collection of road load data. PCB offers a series of ICP® strain sensors, Series RHM240 and 740, that are easy to install and non-invasive. These units measure strain along the structure to which the sensors are mounted and can be powered by any ICP® signal conditioner.

PCB also offers angular rate sensing through our Endevco product line, including models 7310A and 7330, which are designed for measurements of rotational velocity, and model 7360A, a 6 degrees of freedom sensor (6DoF) that features three axes of acceleration and three axes of rate sensors.

Choose PCB for your RLDA testing needs

PCB products are designed and manufactured in our state-of-the-art facilities, and together with our global distribution network and Total Customer Satisfaction guarantee, you can rely on us to deliver products and solutions for your demanding requirements. To discuss specific applications, please contact us or request a quote. You can also visit our online shop to find in stock sensors.