Front wheel drive test. Shortening vehicle development cycles is only achievable by carrying out test as early as possible at the testbed without having a real vehicle prototype. Therefore, it is mandatory to test available components as soon as possible to improve durability, functionality and performance. Under the unproven maturity of combustion engine, the latest front wheel drive test bench solution of Front Engine Front-Wheel Drive (FF) powertrain can effectively evaluate any kind of transmission combination. The test bed can also be prepared to test powertrains of Hybrid Electrical Vehicles (HEV).
The classical powertrain consists of internal combustion engines (ICE) and transmissions, which are connected by mechanical elements. These components must be verified with respect to durability, functionality and performance.
The key features of this configuration are a low-inertia drive AC dynamometer which replaces the combustion engine. The drive AC dynamometer simulates the engine’s transient behaviour and reacts to control unit commands. Engine firing pulses can also be simulated if necessary. The drive AC dynamometer can be removed to allow tests with the combustion engine. This second configuration allows a joint testing of combustion engine and transmission. Realistic loading of the front wheel drive powertrain test with AC dynamometer like in vehicle tests on the road is possible. Both configurations lead to reproducible test results under well-known constant environmental conditions.