Claims:
1. A portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring a dynamic torque and a drag of a system, comprising:
- a socket attachment (102),
- a motor (104) mechanically coupled to said socket attachment (102),
- a speed control knob (112) connected to said motor (104) for varying a speed of said motor (104), and
- a torque sensor (120) operably coupled to said motor (104) and said socket attachment (102).

2. The portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring the dynamic torque as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a wheel selector knob (110).

3. The portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring the dynamic torque as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motor (104) is a variable speed drive motor.

4. The portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring the dynamic torque as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a front grip (114) and a rear grip (116).

5. The portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring the dynamic torque as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display unit (108).

6. The portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring the dynamic torque as claimed in claim 5, wherein said display unit (108) is a speed and a torque display unit.

7. The portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring the dynamic torque as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rig (100) measures the dynamic torque in the range of 0 to 22.5 Newton Meter.

8. A method for measuring a dynamic torque of a system, said method comprising the steps of:
- attaching a portable handheld test rig (100) to a vehicle system by means of a socket attachment (102)
- powering the portable handheld test rig (100) by a power switch (118)
- selecting a type of wheel being measured by a wheel selector switch (110)
- setting a rotational speed of the socket attachment (102) by a speed control knob (112)
- measuring the dynamic torque of the vehicle system by a torque sensor (120) to obtain a measured torque value, and
- displaying, the measured torque value by a display unit (108).
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; Rule 13)
PORTABLE AND HANDHELD DYNAMIC TORQUE MEASURING RIG;

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, HAVING ADDRESS AT MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY (MRV), MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO: 41/1, ANJUR P.O., CHENGALPATTU – 603004, KANCHEEPURAM DIST., TAMIL NADU, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[001] The embodiments of the invention relate to a torque measuring device. Further the embodiments of the invention relate to the field of the torque measurement in vehicles and more particularly to systems for measuring a free wheel torque or brake drag in vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[002] Drag torque of any rotational system represents its frictional losses. The system with higher drag torque requires more power and energy to rotate. This drag is generally due to the mechanical friction because of metal to metal contact, bearing loss, gear losses, seal losses, churning losses etc.

[003] Normally, drag toque of vehicle systems is measured by a manual torque wrench. The manual torque wrench is rotated manually, and a rotational torque is noted. This method is prone to multiple errors which includes a high torque value due to inertial accelerations encountered while measurement, and operator variation. In addition, errors may arise in case of non-uniform torque around full rotation, where a person tends to read just the max value, which is not the true indicative average value of the continuous rotational system.

[004] In the automotive industry, there are few systems where torque measurements are very common and drag torque is a prima-facie indicator of a system’s frictional loss i.e. wheel spin torque, axle pull drag and transmission drag etc. Some systems available in the art are very huge and the measurement of those systems are also not so accurate. Hence there is a need felt in the art for alleviating the drawbacks associated with the above-mentioned methods of measurements.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION:
[005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

[006] An objective of embodiments herein is to provide a simple portable tool for measuring a free wheel torque of a system.

[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide an accurate and computerized tool for measuring the free wheel torque and to measure the average free wheel torque, a peak torque and an inertia of the system, in an automated method.

[008] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[009] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[010] Figure 1 represents a schematic representation of a handheld test rig according to an embodiment of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[011] In an embodiment of the present invention a portable handheld test rig (100) for measuring a dynamic torque and a drag of a system is described, The portable handheld rig (100) includes a socket attachment (102), a motor (104) mechanically coupled to said socket attachment (102), a speed control knob (112) for varying a speed of said motor (104). The portable handheld rig also includes a torque sensor (120) operably coupled to said motor (104) and said socket attachment (102).
[012] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for measuring dynamic torque of a system. The method includes the steps of attaching a portable handheld rig (100) to a vehicle system by means of a socket attachment (102); powering the portable handheld rig (100) by a power switch (118); selecting the type of wheel being measured by a wheel selector switch (110); setting a rotational speed of the socket attachment (102) by a speed control knob (112); measuring the dynamic torque of the vehicle system by a torque sensor (120) to obtain a measured torque value; and displaying, the measured torque value by a display unit (108).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[013] Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[014] Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to a person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

[015] The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining an embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a”, "an”, and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises”, "comprising”, “including”, and “having”, are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[016] When an element is referred to as being "mounted on”, “engaged to”, "connected to”, or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element.

[017] The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another component, region, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.

[018] Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, "beneath”, "below”, "lower”, "above”, "upper”, and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.

[019] Figure 1, an example embodiment of the present invention, discloses a handheld test rig capable of measuring a dynamic torque at any specified rotations per minute. In an embodiment of the present invention, the measured torque may be stored in a computer as log files. The handheld test rig comprises of a socket attachment (102), a motor (104), a speed control knob (112) and a torque sensor (120). The speed control knob (112) is typically used to vary the speed of the motor. The torque sensor is operably coupled to the motor and the socket attachment. In one embodiment of the present invention the portable handheld test rig (100) further includes a display unit (108), a wheel selector switch (110), a front hand grip (114), a rear hand grip (116), a power switch(118). In another embodiment of the present invention, the torque sensor (120), the motor (104) and the removable axle nut socket attachment (102) are connected in line through a shaft.

In an embodiment of the invention, the front hand grip (114) and the rear hand grip (116) are covered by an anti-slip padding. In one embodiment of the invention, the socket attachment (102) is a single nut socket attachment. In another one embodiment, the motor (104) is a variable speed motor. The free wheel torque is an important indicative of brake drag of a vehicle. To measure the free wheel torque in an accurate manner, a system that includes a motorized torque testing rig is needed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the portable handheld test rig (100) is designed to measure an average and spatial variation of brake drag along full rotation of wheel.

[020] In one embodiment of the invention, the portable handheld test rig (100) is used to measure a free wheel torque of vehicle system. The free wheel torque helps to identify any frictional contribution that may be present in the brakes in the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the portable handheld test rig (100) is an automated rig which measures the average free wheel torque, a peak torque and an inertia of the system. The portable handheld test rig (100) is attached to a power supply table (not shown), a CPU (not shown), a motor drive (not shown) and a laptop (not shown). In another embodiment of the invention, a laptop may be used to interact with the portable handheld test rig (100) and power supply and display the results in a software screen. In one embodiment of the present invention the power supply can be a portable power supply. In one embodiment of the invention, a software also generates a test report.

[021] In another embodiment of the present invention, portable handheld test rig (100) can measure a vehicle frictional loss. Typically, a vehicle frictional loss includes but is not limited to brake drag, axle pull force, transmission drag etc. In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable handheld test rig (100) can measure a vehicle frictional loss while simultaneously measuring a wheel inertia which is unique to a vehicle system. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the portable handheld test rig (100) is explained herein below with reference to be used in a vehicle to precisely measure the free wheel torque along with the inertia of the vehicle wheel. However, it is also within the scope of embodiments herein to use the portable handheld test rig (100) in aircrafts, water vessels, locomotives or to use the portable handheld test rig (100) for precise measuring of the dynamic drag or inertia in any other applications.

[022] In an embodiment of the invention as represented in Figure 1, the portable handheld test rig (100) can measure a dynamic torque at any specified rotations per minute RPM. In another embodiment of the present invention, the value of the dynamic torque obtained at any specified rotations per minute can be stored in any device for example a laptop. In yet another embodiment of the present invention a report for measurement may be generated. In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable handheld test rig (100) is an automated rig. In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable handheld test rig (100) can display any one of an average free wheel torque, a peak torque and an inertia of the vehicle wheel (not shown), or a combination thereof.

[023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the working of the portable handheld test rig (100) in accordance with a vehicle system may be described as follows. The socket attachment (102) of the portable handheld test rig (100) is connected to a plurality of wheel hub nuts of a vehicle (not shown). In one embodiment of the present invention the handheld test rig (100) is powered by a powering switch (118). The speed at which the torque and inertia to be measured is adjusted by for example a user through a speed control knob (112). Further, the wheel selector knob (110) maybe adjusted by the user based on the type of wheel being measured. In one embodiment, the motor shaft (104) is in line with the socket attachment (102). The socket attachment (102) is rotated by the wheel of the vehicle in a jacked up or free position. The dynamic torque of the vehicle system is measured by the torque sensor (120) which is operatively engaged to the socket attachment (102). The measured dynamic torque value is displayed at the screen (108) of the portable handheld test rig (100). In an embodiment, the portable handheld test rig (100) is connected with a laptop (not shown). In example embodiments of the invention, the portable handheld test rig (100) is connected to a mobile phone or any computing device (not shown). In yet another embodiment of the present invention the dynamic torque data measured through the portable handheld test rig (100) is fed directly into a software installed in device such as a laptop (not shown). In another one embodiment of the present invention, the final output value of inertia post processing through the software is displayed on a screen for example a laptop screen. In an embodiment of the invention, the dynamic torque is measured in the range of 0 to 22.5 Nm. In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system is the wheel of a vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system is an axle pinion flange on which the axle drag is measured.

[024] In an embodiment of the invention, a method of measuring the dynamic torque of a vehicle system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of attaching a portable handheld rig to a handheld test rig (100) to a vehicle system by means of a socket attachment (102); powering the portable handheld test rig (100) by a power switch (118); selecting the type of wheel being measured by a wheel selector switch (110); setting a rotational speed of the socket attachment (102) by a speed control knob (112); measuring the dynamic torque of the vehicle system by a torque sensor (120) to obtain a measured torque value; and displaying, the measured torque value by a display unit (108). In an embodiment of the invention, the motor (104) stops after certain period. The period of running of the motor (104) is controlled based on the measurement to be conducted in the system.

[025] The present disclosure described has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a test rig for measuring the dynamic drag, that:
• helps to measure the dynamic torque accurately at different set speeds;
• can be easily moved to different locations where the testing is needed;
• helps to reduce the error associated with the manual handling of the tool;
• helps to reduce the time associated with the measurement;

[026] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

[027] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

[029] Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[030] Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

[031] The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

[032] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.