MXPA00000635A - Method and apparatus for thermal testing of brake performance - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle thermal testing method and apparatus is based upon the use of a mobile handset. The handset uses spot infrared thermal sensing to identify thermal imbalance between wheels on opposite sides or the same side of a vehicle. Testing identifies thermal levels resulting from braking by mere application of the handset to wheel nuts after a short brake application and without use of roller test beds or other such equipment. Tyres can be similarly tested. The handset can generate test instructions. Repetition of an initial test enables the offset for cooling during the test to be verified. A similar technique applies to tyres. The handset may communicate with a base station providing for keyboard input of vehicle data and results printout.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THERMAL BRAKE PERFORMANCE TESTS This invention relates to a method and apparatus for vehicle thermal testing and is an improvement or modification to the method and apparatus for brake tests described in our specification published prior to EP-A-0 729 018 (our reference P52580EP). The present invention is mainly applicable to thermal testing of automotive wheel structures, including brakes and wheels and tires and rim structures, to identify thermal imbalance arising particularly from brake imbalance, but which is also applicable to identifying tire temperature imbalance and other factors such as imbalance in temperature of wheel bearings. Undoubtedly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus that is so quick and convenient to use, that it is applicable to any vehicle including aircraft and railway vehicles where the thermally balanced locations test in nominal sense for minor temperature differences (potentially) may reveal the principle or symptoms of (important differences in conditions or configurations or loads.) The invention is also applicable to the system test of vehicles which, in use, are thermally stable but operate at different (determinable) temperatures, and this use of the invention can be extended to the engine of the vehicle. vehicle and transmission systems and of course brake systems other than friction brake systems, including electric brakes.A particular application of the invention is for aircraft braking systems and for verifying the operation thereof, particularly in high traffic situations. effort such as after an aborted takeoff, where the thermal load in the system leads to very high temperatures.Also, the invention is applicable to the detection of brakes or other systems that do not generate sufficient heat (or none). a means to quickly and conveniently estimate a thermal distribution system for waste Librios or other irregularities detection. The system offers a simple means to identify the basis of a potential or developing problem. The specification of our previous request describes a method and apparatus for brake analysis in automotive vehicles. Point-type infrared thermometers are used to detect localized temperature rise that is produced by brake application, detecting in point zones located in, for example wheel nuts / rods that provide a thermal transfer path from the brake discs or drums. Analysis of the thermal data of the detectors includes a function of detect-and-hold the peak. The comparison of the thermal data allows detection of the braking imbalance. The brake test system of our previous EP specification has proven to be of practical practical significance for the routine testing of automotive brake systems, particularly in view of the relative simplicity of the equipment involved and the scope provided for the relatively accurate determination of the imbalance of braking. In this way, the system does not require the use of roller systems and associated kinetic energy measurement systems. The equipment involved in the system of our previous EP specification is substantially based on infrared point detection devices, de-inventory, which are used in combination with intensive data processing software (software) of the type that can be provided for a dedicated function of this type at increasingly satisfactory initial costs as original equipment. In summary, the system of our previous EP specification offers the prospectus for simple road testing of vehicle braking operations, using lightweight mobile equipment, which leads to immediate significant results and without the complications or expense inherent in previous systems. Nevertheless, the system described in our previous EP specification itself is susceptible to improvement, notably in relation to the facilities that are provided for the physical implementation of the test routines, notably the measures provided to ensure adequate and convenient, fast thermal data feeding and effective, including alignment of the detector device with the relevant portion of each wheel to be tested. Also, there is a need to provide a system with which the sequential tests to be carried out on one or more wheels of a vehicle are carried out in the appropriate and appropriate sequence, so that the data is properly compared between wheels in the same or opposite sides of the vehicle, according to the requirements of the test in question. Clearly, if possible, this system will be implemented in a very simple and / or practical and / or fast way, using lightweight equipment and / or easily operated and / or cost effective, which in some way minimizes opportunities for introduction. of operational errors by the technical personnel who carry out tests.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus that provide improvements in relation to one or more of the matters discussed above, or in general. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method and apparatus applicable to the thermal analysis of vehicle wheels and other heat generating structures including performance of brakes and tires in automobiles and other vehicles as defined in the accompanying claims. In an embodiment of the invention described below, a method and apparatus for analyzing brake performance in automotive vehicles is provided, where data is fed to the detection means and / or to an associated test control system, relating to characteristics of brake or wheel or vehicle type, and a mobile test handset of the detector means is made to generate test instructions according to the method to be carried out for a test, brake or wheel characteristics or certain vehicle type . Furthermore, the test steps are performed in accordance with the instructions displayed by the handset, these steps referring to at least one axis of the vehicle, are carried out in a defined sequence and in accordance with the instructions and this sequence includes a repetition of at least one stage of the sequence to allow the effect of the time it takes to carry out the sequence of steps, can be verified and adjusted, if necessary. Accordingly, it can be seen that in this way, by providing a mobile handset, a simple means is provided wherein the practical and manual implementation of the thermal test system is normally provided. The use of a mobile handset that has (if convenient and necessary) an appropriate communication link with a base station, in itself is a practical stage of advancement that allows the technical operation to carry out the test more easily and quickly to manipulate the equipment. In addition, the handset allows easy location of the infrared point detector at a defined location in relation to a vehicle wheel. For example, a locating device that defines simple location-and-distance can be used to define a fixed distance with respect to the wheel nuts, so that all the operator needs to do is place the locating device on the wheel nut. the relevant wheel of the vehicle and in this way the detection distance and the detection position are effectively and precisely defined. An important source of test error, in this way is reduced or eliminated. In this system, the infrared point detector can be of the fixed focus type that greatly simplifies its construction and reduces its cost. Alternatively, a non-mechanical locating device such as a laser spotter can be used to ensure accurate alignment and in this system the infrared point detector requires having adjustable focus functionality to provide validity in the thermal comparison stage in the method of the invention. As for the sequence of steps that needs to be carried out, according to the described modality, the handset itself is made to display the instructions necessary for the proper sequence of test operations. For example, the handset may be provided with a display device representing one or more aspects of the construction of the vehicle wheels or braking system, together with the delivery of light emitting diodes at opposite ends of a simulated shaft in such a manner as to which pulses of those generated by the LEDs can directly and accurately instruct the user in which the next test is carried out. Also, the arrangement or structure may be such that the LEDs indicate the required duration of a given test and also indicate when the handset can be removed from the particular wheel nut or other structure on the wheel. In the case when the method is going to be used to compare the wheels of (say) two short axes on opposite sides of the vehicle, then the "instructions" can represent no more than an indication of when the first test (on a wheel) is complete and equally for the second test. It will be understood that in the case of a simple system intended only (or primarily) to verify the braking balance between two wheels on opposite sides (or the same side) of the vehicle, then the extension of instructions required for this purpose is correspondingly limited always that the user applies the handset unit to. the wheel nuts for a sufficient period to allow the temperature to be clearly detected and provided that the time interval between the test on one wheel and the next test is reasonably short. By arranging the test sequence in such a way that at least one step in the sequence is repeated, tolerance can easily be effected (by Newton's law of cooling) for the length of time it takes to carry out the sequence of steps, and this tolerance can be verified and adjusted, if necessary. The system checks ambient temperature and allows this in accordance. In this way, another variable that would inevitably otherwise introduce inconsistency between different operators that carry out the test, or no doubt between successive tests performed by an operator, is substantially reduced or eliminated in this way. In the case when an operator is required to carry out the test at a defined speed (at a fixed time) and / or when the effect of heat loss can be ignored (up to room temperature or tests performed quickly) it is acceptable not to repeat one of the tests while still obtaining an acceptably accurate result. In this way, the modality described provides a system used in a practical and easy way to test the imbalance of automotive brakes, where the variables that arise from the previously discussed issues are already reduced, eliminated or are controllable in order to allow the method and the apparatus produce results that are greatly improved from a statistical point of view. In the modality described below, the algorithm used in the thermal comparison function is constructed in such a way that the imbalance calculations are side-by-side or on the same side (produce results indicating levels of approval, or verification or failure). of 0.15% unbalance, 16 to 30% unbalance and over 30% unbalance, respectively These figures are designed to correlate with the percentage imbalances that are achieved using brake forces measured in brake testers of standard roller type. embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a handset having an associated paging device, to be used in accordance with the method of the invention; invention; Figure 2 shows an elevation view of a base station illustrated on a scale slightly smaller than the handset of Figure 1, to be used in association with the handset of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows the base station and handset of Figures 2 and 1 show the latter located in a case that acts as a mounting base for the handset unit, in which position it can communicate with the base station by an infrared link. In this way, the entire description of the previously mentioned prior specification EP-A-0 729 018 has been incorporated in the present application, as part of the present technical description. As illustrated in Figure 1, the apparatus 10 for analysis of braking performance in automotive vehicles, comprises detection means 12 including infrared point detecting means, adapted to detect the temperature of a location in a brake drum or structure connected to the vehicle. he . In this embodiment, the detection means 12 is incorporated into a portable equipment 14 and corresponds to the detector 14 in Figure 4 of the aforementioned EP'018. The handset 14 is energized by a battery (not shown) and incorporates a wireless communication link located at 16 (constituted by an infrared communication link) to a base station 17 (see Figures 2 and 3) which incorporates the main components of the apparatus shown in Figure 4 of the aforementioned EP'018. The base station includes adapted processor and memory functions for comparing data obtained by the handset 14 during two or more detection stages (e.g. on two wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle, or on the same side) to determine the degree of imbalance in the vehicle. braking in a certain vehicle. This "imbalance" can of course reveal that one or more brakes were applied insufficiently to generate any significant braking heat in fact. Likewise, one or more brakes can be applied excessively. A particularly useful application of the invention is to detect modest differences between very high braking temperatures after substantial use of a braking system, these differences reveal a degree of braking imbalance. The handset 14 further comprises control buttons 18, 19, 20 to allow manual control of the handset during test operations, as will be described more fully below. Information regarding the brake and / or wheel characteristics and / or vehicle type for a given test that is about to be performed, can be fed into the system by an alphanumeric keypad 21 at the base station 17. In this mode, data from The test is received and stored temporarily inside the handset 14 for subsequent communication with the base station 17 and data processing within the base station. In a modification, the data processing is done inside the handset itself. In this mode, the system operates to generate test instructions according to the method to be performed by brake or wheel characteristics or vehicle type determined under test. The test control system incorporated in the software (software) that is provided inside the handset 14 or within the processor and memory function described in EP'018, Figure 4, generates test instructions concerning the test steps that they are performed on at least two wheels of a vehicle under test by the handset and in accordance with instructions displayed by the handset, so that test data relating to the performance of the brakes can be generated. Of course, in the case of double-wheel structures (for example the driven wheels of an articulated vehicle traction portion), the tests will normally be performed based on the outer (and accessible) wheel test of the wheel structure Dual (by application of the handset to one of the wheel nuts) and then the subsequent test can be on the corresponding wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle or another wheel on the same side of the vehicle. When dual wheels are mounted on a common short shaft on one side of the vehicle (or certainly in pairs at opposite ends of the common beam axle) the fact that these pairs of wheels each have their own means of brake structure which is unnecessary to test the individual wheels of a given torque although of course a test can be performed (and often is) on pairs of wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle (which can be mounted on individual short axes or on a common beam axle) in order to distinguish any imbalance in their braking or other characteristics. As illustrated in Figure 1, the portable equipment 14 is provided with a locating device defining front distance-and-location 22, in the form of a generally frustro-conical nose cone in the handset and having an open front end 24, which in use is received on a vehicular wheel nut, and which also has an open inner end 26 mounted directly on the front end of the portable equipment 14. Both of those ends are of circular cross-sectional shape and serve to confine infrared signals that are transmitted between the wheel nut (or other structure) and the detector itself, for testing purposes. The locator device or spacer 22 likewise serves as a simple practical means to ensure that all tests are performed at a standard distance for a particular wheel nut. Variations in axial projection of the wheel nuts between vehicles do not matter since for a given test this factor will be constant.

The handset 14 further comprises a display device 28 that incorporates a device 30 that represents the general structure of a vehicular axis, and diagrammatically indicates as consistent the wheels 32, 34 linked by the shaft structure 36 that incorporates the bulkhead or central volume of a differential housing 38. Within the generally rectangular representations of the wheels 32, 34, light emitting diode devices are also incorporated (LED = Light Emitting Diodes) rectangular 40, 42 and in use emit pulses of light of varying length and / or color. Also forming part of the display device 28 is a liquid crystal display screen 43 which provides information concerning the testing steps that proceed and / or test steps to be performed. Now it can be seen that this mode of the handset 14 of the invention corresponds to the detector 14 in Figure 4 of EP'018 and can incorporate certain other data processing functions of the rest of the apparatus shown in Figure 4, but this is a matter of convenience of design for any given specific application of the invention. In the embodiment, the alignment and spacing of the detector from the relevant structure in a wheel under test (for example a wheel nut) is determined by the spacer device or locator 22. The three-button handset keypad comprising control buttons 18, 19 and 20, provides the functions of general control (for all functions), on / off, and control for repetition of test respectively. These, in combination with the liquid crystal display 43 and the axis device 30 allow the user to control the test operations and receive instructions therefor. The light emitting diodes complement the instructions on the 43 screen when flashing to show which side of the vehicle is being tested, and then when flashing at a high speed to indicate that the temperature measurement is being performed. The locating device 22 has a heat resistant and hardened material at its outer end, which prevents damage to the handset housing, for example when testing aircraft wheel nuts and other high temperature applications. In use, the operator simply presses the function button 18 to begin a test, when indicated by the display on the screen 43. Turning now to the base station structure 17, it comprises a mobile unit having a main body 50. with a carrying handle 52, and a sheath 54 for receiving the handset 14. The keypad 21 provides control functions in association with a liquid crystal display screen 56 and a thermal printer 58 that provides a printed record of the test data . The unit is operated by battery with a recharging facility. An important aspect of the operation of the base station 17 is the wireless infrared communication link 60 that is provided between the infrared transmission / reception function 16 of the handset 14 and the corresponding unit 62 that is provided in the base station. In use, an operator initially feeds the system through the keyboard 21, data that identifies the type of vehicle in question, with which the system obtains from its memory function data referring to the type of vehicle, with which the system is informed the number of axles that need to be tested, or it is informed of other characteristics related to the braking system of the vehicle, allowing it to generate a sequence of test instructions. The software system (software) may be arranged to signal the user to provide identification of the vehicle by its registration number, the user's name and other information. All relevant data is transmitted to the handset 14 in preparation for the start of the mobile tests. Then, handset 14 is removed from sheath 54 and display device 28 energized and LED devices 40, 42 (one or the other of them) are energized in order to indicate by colors and duration of appropriate pulses of light emitted (according to the operating instructions of the system), which rolls (which may be the outer wheel of a double structure). wheels on a short or beam axle) in the vehicle to begin the test operations. The handset is presented to a wheel nut on the identified wheel and again by means of the keypad, the test operation is started and the relevant LED indicates by pulses of light the duration of time during which the device is to be held in position with the spacer device 22 on the relevant wheel nut in order to generate the appropriate braking test data. It will be understood that such a test is carried out after the vehicle has performed a generally standardized braking test run that incorporates a roughly standardized brake application, for example braking the vehicle at rest from a defined road speed. . It is not material that this test is not fully performed accurately by any given operator. All that is required is the generation of sufficient thermal energy within the braking system so that the infrared point detector is able to carry out its detection function. An important aspect of the operational characteristics of the brake analysis function is referred to in the sequence of tests to be performed. In this way, the display device 28 is made to generate instructions for the user, displayed by the LED devices 40, 42, whereby the user carries out a defined sequence of test steps, moving from one wheel to the next , either on the same side of the vehicle or between opposite sides, or both in the relevant sequence according to the desired test characteristics, and as indicated by the relevant LEDs in sequence. A particular aspect of the sequence of test steps in this mode is that they involve a repetition of at least one step in the sequence so that the tolerance for the effect of time it takes to carry out the sequence of steps may be verified and adjusted if necessary. This function is carried out by the system processor (see item 28 in Figure 4 of EP'018), and this function can be provided inside the handset 14 or inside the base station with which it communicates via the infrared link 16. Among other modifications that may be made within the above embodiment while remaining within the scope of the invention defined by the claims, are the following: (a) Modification of the general format of the display device 28, whereby the functions can be indicated in alternate forms, including the use of text or graphic functions instead of or in addition to LED devices, the latter being particularly suitable for use in low light conditions that may be experienced when tested within heavily concave structures of dual wheel structures in trucks and similar vehicles. A particular practical modification is the use of LED bar graphs to indicate the results in a two-stage test, this provides a direct and instantly readable indication of the test result; (b) Modification of the dimensions and general structure of the mechanical locating device 22 to meet the particular requirements of infrared detector vehicles or devices or the use of a non-mechanical system, for example a laser dot pointing system, using an infrared thermal detector auto focus instead of the fixed focus system usable with locator 22; c) modification of the power structures for wheel system characteristics or vehicle braking or vehicle type. Of course it would be entirely possible and sometimes convenient to provide these facilities in the handset and it would be necessary if a base station was not used; d) while a wireless communication link (such as infrared) has been indicated, of course a cable link can easily be provided between the handset and the base station; e) considerable variation in the design of the handset 14 can be effected with a view to figures of maximum operator convenience and minimizing size and weight; and f) it is contemplated that extreme practical functionality is achieved in terms of simple or pneumatic braking or other equipment detection by a simple handset device incorporating a mechanical locating device, thus allowing the use of infrared thermal detection of fixed focus and with software (software) supply, based on the simple comparison of two (instead of a long sequence of tests) wheels (or other structures to be tested). In this simple system, the handset itself does not require a base station and neither does it require the generation of operating instructions other than a minimum indication as to the start and / or termination of one or the other from the test stages. This system will simply require that the handset be applied, for example to a wheel nut, and the on / off button be operated and the handset held in place for a set time interval of (i.e.) 10 or 15 or 20 seconds, followed by transferring the handset to a wheel nut on the other wheel to be tested, this transfer takes place at a time no greater than (say) 30 seconds, followed by a similar test stage on the second wheel, after which the handset will immediately calculate any imbalance and indicate the same. This system will provide enormous utility and practical applicability. g) While the embodiments described have been mainly related to the detection of thermal differences in thermally balanced systems in a nominal sense, the invention is also applicable to systems where known or measurable temperature differences exist in thermal equilibrium or thermal difference). In these situations, the apparatus can be provided with thermal data regarding the temperature difference that is expected when the apparatus is used in this situation (identified possibly only by means of a labeled function selection button), the system compares the detected temperatures with those that must be present and indicates accordingly the result. An example of this application is the temperature difference in proportions of the exhaust system or silencer of a vehicle, where the device is used to verify the correct operation of the catalytic system by reference to the temperature differences it generates.

Claims (22)

1. - A method for analyzing brake performance in automotive vehicles, characterized in that it comprises: a) providing detection means including infrared point detection means and causing them to detect the temperature of a location in a brake or drum disc or structure connected to him; and b) comparing data from two or more in brake or drum disc detection layers or connected structure to determine the degree of brake imbalance present; characterized in that: c) data are fed to the detection means and / or to an associated test control system relating to the characteristics of vehicle type or wheel or brake disk or drum or connected structure; d) providing the detection means with a mobile test handset and causing the handset to generate test instructions according to the method to be performed for the characteristics of a particular vehicle type or wheel or brake disc or drum or connected structure under proof; e) carrying out test steps on at least two brake discs or drums or structures connected from one or more axes of the vehicle by means of the handset according to the instructions that are displayed by the handset and in this way generate test data referring to to brake performance; and f) the test steps are performed in a defined sequence and according to the instructions and include a repetition of at least one stage of the sequence, thereby allowing the effect of time it takes to carry out the sequence of stages can be verified and adjusted, if necessary.

2. - Method for analysis of brake performance in automotive vehicles, characterized by causing a mobile test handset to generate test instructions according to the method that is performed for the characteristics of a brake or wheel or vehicle type under test , carrying out the test steps according to the instructions displayed, the steps are carried out in a defined sequence including a repetition of at least one step.

3. - Method for analyzing thermal distribution of a vehicle system, comprising means for generating heat, the method comprising: a) causing the vehicle to execute a quantity of thermal distribution in relation to at least a pair of structures or components or systems to be tested, to provide an opportunity to generate at least a minimum amount of heat for testing purposes; b) providing thermal sensing means and causing them to detect the temperature of a first of these structures or component or system; c) bringing the detector means to a second of these structures or components or systems that normally constitute with the first of these structures or components or systems, a thermally related pair and cause the thermal sensing means to detect the temperature of the second structure or component or system; d) providing adapted thermal comparator means for comparing the temperatures of the structures or components or systems and others to indicate the state of imbalance or thermal equilibrium or thermal relationship between them, and causing them to make the comparison and indicate in relation to the first and second structures or components or systems; characterized by: e) providing the sensing means as part of a mobile handset adapted to be hand-carried by a user to a site near or adjacent to each structure or component or system to be tested; f) providing the handset with its own operational locator means in relation to the thermal sensing means to enable the user to quickly locate it in relation to the structures or components to be tested in order to provide a valid basis for comparison between the detection stages of temperature

4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the handset has communication link with a data management system or base station and the method comprises detecting test data in the handset and transmitting the same to the system of data management or base station through the communications link.

5. - Method of compliance with the claim 4, characterized in that the communication link is established by locating the handset in a defined position with respect to the data management system or base station, after detecting the test data.

6. - Method of compliance with any of claims 1 to 5, characterized by carrying out the steps of testing with the handset at a distance from the wheels of the vehicle or other component of the vehicle defined by a locating device that defines distance- and -location.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the locating device is located in a vehicle wheel nut or other projection or structure of the vehicle.

8. - Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the handset exhibits the instructions at least in part by pulses of energy.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the energy pulses are of varying duration and / or color / frequency.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the pulses of light are displayed in a device that represents one or more aspects of the construction of the wheels of the vehicle or brake system in order to indicate the location in which will perform a test.

11. Apparatus for analyzing brake performance in automotive vehicles, comprising: a) detection means including infrared point detection means adapted to detect the temperature of a location in a brake disc or drum or connected structure; b) adapted comparing means for comparing data from two or more detection stages of brake disc or drum or connected structure, to determine the degree of imbalance in braking; characterized by: c) data feed means adapted to allow data feed to the detection means and / or to an associated test control system relating to characteristics of vehicle type or wheel or brake disk or drum or connected structure; d) the detection means comprises a mobile test handset, adapted to generate test instructions according to the method to be performed for characteristics of a particular type of vehicle, or wheel or brake disk or drum or structure connected under test; e) the handset is adapted to generate the test instructions for the detection steps and define a sequence of steps and which includes a repetition of at least one stage of the sequence, with what if necessary, there is tolerance for the effect of time it takes to carry out the sequence of stages can be verified and adjusted. .

12. Apparatus for analysis of brake performance in automotive vehicles, characterized by a test handset adapted to display instructions relating to a sequence of test stages, the sequence includes a repetition of at least one stage of the sequence.

13. Apparatus for carrying out thermal distribution analysis in a vehicular system, comprising means for generating heat, the method comprising: a) thermal sensing means adapted to detect the temperature of a first structure or component or system to be tested after which a vehicle incorporating the same has executed a thermal distribution amount to provide an opportunity to generate at least a minimum amount of heat for testing purposes; b) the thermal sensing means are likewise adapted to detect in relation to a second of these structures or components or systems that normally constitute with the first structure or component or system, a thermally balanced or related pair, whereby the thermal sensing means can detect the temperature of the second assembly or component; c) thermal comparator means adapted to compare the temperatures of the structures or components and also adapted to indicate the state of thermal equilibrium or thermal imbalance or thermal relationship; characterized by: d) the detector means is provided as part of a mobile handset adapted to be hand-carried by a user to a site near or adjacent to each of these assemblies or components or systems to be tested; e) the handset comprises its own operational locating means in relation to the thermal sensing means, to enable the user to quickly locate the same in relation to the structures or components or systems to be tested, in order to provide a valid basis for comparison between the stages of temperature detection.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the handset has a communication link to a data management system or base station, and the handset is adapted to detect test data and transmit the same to the base station through the communication link.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the communication link is adapted to be established by placing the handset in a defined position with respect to the data management system or base station after detecting the data.

16. - Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15, characterized by a locating device adapted to define a test location and distance for the handset from the wheels of the vehicle.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the locating device is adapted to be located in a vehicle nut or other component of the vehicle or projection on the vehicle wheel.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the handset is adapted to display the instructions at least in part by pulses of energy.

19. Apparatus in accordance with the claim 18, characterized in that the pulses of light are of color and / or variant duration.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the pulses of light are displayed in a device representing one or more aspects of the construction of the wheels or braking system of a vehicle, in order to indicate the location of which will perform the test.

21. Apparatus for analysis of brake performance in automotive vehicles, comprising a handset adapted to detect thermal data by application to one or more wheel nuts or other projections or structures of the wheel of a vehicle after a braking operation shows .

22. - Apparatus for analysis of brake performance in automotive vehicles, comprising using a handset adapted to detect thermal data and applying the same to one or more wheel nuts or other projections or structures of the wheel of a vehicle after an operation of sample braking.