Measuring wheel
The term measuring wheel is used for two types of measuring devices .
Measuring wheels in the survey
A measuring wheel is an odometer that is used to measure distances on level ground. You roll it, holding a short handle forward, along the measuring section .
The reading counts the entire revolutions (usual circumference one to two meters) and the partial revolutions - the latter to a few hundredths to a thousandth, depending on the accuracy . The distance traveled is displayed by means of a counter. Usual display on the counter in m / cm / mm. Measuring wheels are available in uncalibrated and calibrated versions. Modern measuring devices immediately convert the two readings into a digital display (meters and centimeters).
Depending on the type and level of care, it can be used to measure distances to within centimeters or decimetres.
Measuring wheels in vehicle technology
A measuring wheel is also understood to be a measuring device with which forces and torques in the wheel hub of a vehicle (usually a car or truck ) can be determined in all six Cartesian directions for the purpose of driving dynamics measurements . The measurements are used to design chassis. In the case of cars, all four wheels are usually fitted with measuring wheels during a test series, in the case of trucks, for reasons of cost (6 to 16 wheels), several measurements are usually carried out one after the other.
A measuring wheel for pure distance measurement is the so-called fifth wheel, or also a bucket wheel , which is also attached to the vehicle.