ES2370544B1 - LIGHT SIMULATOR OF THE MOVEMENT OF A VEHICLE BASED ON A MACHINE. - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a mobile platform for domestic use suitable for the simulation of all the movements of the driving of a vehicle, proposing movements in all six axes, plus vertical movements. # For the pitching movement, the geometry of the leaf springs (1), moving the motor (4) from front to back, the movement of a rocking chair is achieved. # Vertical movements are achieved by flexing the crossbow, thanks to the actuator (2). # Around the axis (7) rotates the seat, by the action of the motor (6), which is connected to the chair by (10), thus simulating warping. # A compressed air ejector (14) provides yaw, varying the direction of expulsion. # With the support (12) monitors (13) of computers are held.

Description

chair.

Lightweight vehicle motion simulator based on a rocking chair.

The present invention refers to a new type of simulator that incorporates in its base parabolic pieces, curved in the style of a rocking chair, placed on a platform on which an optionally mobile chair rests, and stands for representation monitors. The small size and weight of the machine and its economical design, can facilitate your domestic or private use. Background of the invention

Traditional flight simulators use mechanisms based on hydraulic oil technology, such technology restricts the use of these simulators in large and spacious premises, as these simulators are large and heavy, and are not designed for personal use or within an environment residential.

There are simulators designed for personal and domestic use, with little weight. Many consist of supports for monitors or joysticks, but without movement, the inventive activity in these devices lies in the ergonomic arrangement of the different elements that make up the simulator: joysticks, pedals, monitors, speakers and so on ... an example It would be the US6851950 patent.

Other personal simulators have movements, however most are limited in number and benefits, and if they have many benefits they are very large, or with a mechanical complexity that makes them expensive.

The commercial model known as DreamFlyer and US5431569 patent base their movement on the displacement of the center of gravity of the pilot's mass around axes. The movement action is activated by means of mechanical springs connected to the control lever. Thus, if the pilot pulls the lever to the right, the platform turns to the right, and vice versa to the left. In the same way, it acts when the pilot intends to raise or lower the plane. This model does not offer the real sensations of movement, especially in warping, since the rotation of the plane always entails the inclination of the platform, and therefore the sensation of overturning of the pilot. In reality, if the pilot makes a correct or compensated turn, warping the plane, and using the steering wheel, the tipping sensation does not exist. The tipping sensation only exists if the plane is tilted strongly. The tipping sensation can also be produced by an unfortunate piloting of the device, therefore a machine that does not reproduce the real sensations of flight, would not serve for teaching use.

The model with patent number GB2423032A offers solutions to the domestic user, providing movement in only 2 axes, the pitching and warping. There is no force compensation, so this model must be necessarily heavy, and unfit for residential use. With all this device, it offers the optimum possibility of connecting to a computer, and reproducing more accurately the sensations of flight and movement, a previous development of this model was the one shown in US 4,019,261, which was not even of particular use , because of its size, and its hydraulic pistons. Both models have in common the cantilever arrangement of the pilot's accommodation, on a structure that can

Models that could satisfactorily cover the teaching demands, are described in the patents: US5,980,255, this describes a chair without movement, in which some actuators press the body of the user according to the movement that the vehicle makes at a certain moment.

The US6,315,673B1 is focused for recreational use, with very short movements of the actuators. In the same sense would be US4,478,407.

The US6,634,885B2, is a very large simulator, with three electric motors connected to connecting rods, which move a large airplane cabin, it is therefore unsuitable for domestic use. The invention proposes 3 degrees of freedom or 3 degrees of movement, for a greater number of degrees of freedom, proposes an even number of engines. The arrangement of these electric motors is identical to that of a traditional simulator, only that electric motors and connecting rods are used, instead of hydraulic cylinders and pistons. The US7,033,177B2 patent, is also a very large apparatus, whose movements are based on concepts that involve a hanging cabin, but which is far from being considered a personal simulator. An earlier proposal of similar characteristics, because it has a hanging cabin, would be US4,355,982, which aims to apply the simulation to the glider field.

A family of mobile simulation platforms, which would have a remote origin in the so-called Stewart platform, would be US5,366,375, 5,752,834, 6,634,885B2, US6,445,960B1, and 6,733,293B2, have in common the provision of 2 platforms, one that would be in contact with the ground, and that would contain the actuators, and the other parallel, when it would be at rest, on a higher plane, between these 2 planes a set of hydraulic or electric actuators with connecting rods move the upper platform, Depending on the number of motors, an even number of degrees of freedom is achieved, with the exception of US5,752,834 which, with 3 actuators, achieves 6 degrees of freedom, placing these in inclination with respect to a vertical plane, the mechanical complexity of this system It is remarkable, proof of this is that a simplified development is to eliminate the inclination of these arms, and accept only 3 degrees of freedom. The other platforms of this nature, or are very large such as US5,366,375, US6,634,885, and also use hydraulic mechanisms. The US6,733,293B2 would have as innovation that of being a genuinely personal simulator, which would use the basic concept outlined, enjoying movements in warping and pitching, but not in elevation and descent, in addition the exterior image is offered on a screen that is outside of the mobile platform. In this same sense would be the invention US6,283,757B1, in which also a large 60 "screen is outside the moving platform, and in which there is space for two occupants supported by a large platform.

The US6,733,293B2 solves the problem of the space occupied by the system, offering a proposal that starting from 3 engines as the previous invention, can offer the same degrees of freedom, in a certainly personal simulator. The other movements offered, however, have the limitation of the connecting rod stroke that is connected to the electric motor. There is no compensation of forces, the motors act directly on the load they carry: the chair and the pilot, these engines must necessarily be very powerful to lift the weight of the pilot, and therefore the total weight of the system must necessarily be high.

The US5,685,718, the US5,453,011, the US4,710,128 and the US4,856,771, are motion simulators, which are intended to respond to very bold demands regarding simulation. They can rotate in several axes, offering the possibility of simulating space or acrobatic flights. Obviously they cannot be considered personal simulators, because of the large space they occupy and need to function.

To achieve an authentic personal simulation in the domestic environment, it is necessary to provide designs that introduce elements that are likely to favor the benefits required in an environment of limited space, such as the room of a house, and a weight of the machine also adjusted to the resistance capacity of the slabs of the majority of family residences currently in existence. Description of the invention

The designs proposed in the present invention, have as common feature the presence in their base of crossbows. Said element essentially characterizes the invention and the endowment of the advantages that are intended to be achieved, namely: maximum number of movements, with the minimum occupied space and weight. Its geometric form of parable empowers the natural movement of the rocking chairs. Its capacity for fl exion without breakage, enables the effective simulation of lifting and lowering movements,

or of the irregularities of the earth's surface. We manage to bend the base of the machine three movements, namely: pitching, lifting, and warping.

The reduced weight of this proposal, comes from its own design, which helps electric actuators in their function, which may be low power. Thus the fl exion of the crossbow acts as if it were a spring, pushing upwards, against the weight of the operator, thus facilitating the action of the lifting actuator that may be for this reason of low power since the force that must be done upwards it is supported by the same crossbow, if the operator weighs 80 Kgs for example, and the crossbows have an upward force of 60 Kgs, it means that the engine

or engines responsible for lifting the operator, they should only make a force of 20 Kgs. If we differentiate the thrust to the right or left, we can warp the platform. The crossbow itself by its rocking shape provides the tilting that facilitates pitching by simply placing an actuator that pushes or retracts at the rear of the machine. Since the warping offered by the differential actuators, can have a restricted angle of inclination, the possibility of warping the upper set of the platform has been introduced as an option, this way of warping the upper assembly, also takes full advantage of the design of this zone, in order to introduce electric actuators with the minimum power, and maximum efficiency, this is achieved by maximizing the distance between the force to be applied, and the axis of rotation providing a lever arm as large as possible.

The introduction of the crossbows in the design of the machine helps to reduce the weight and volume of the machine, this is essential to facilitate its use in a space-limited environment. Other provisions related to the materials used, will be a reason for consideration at the time and will facilitate this weight to be even lower, using steel, aluminum, plastic, etc., in the appropriate proportions, leaving out the object of this exhibition the Exact relationship of these materials, their proportions, measures and accessory details, the description of which would not add inventive value to the essence of the invention.

Description of the drawings

A complete, and preferred, embodiment would be graphed in Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c in them the essential presence of the two crossbows (1) is shown.

The output or retraction of the actuators (2), allows the spring to float, and therefore the effect of raising and lowering the entire platform, this performance is shown in the series of fi gures 1; a rear view is shown in Fig. 1a, in Figures 1b and le, the movement of these actuators, and their effect on the crossbow fl exction, is shown graphically. Ascendances or offspring are simulated on a flight, or the presence of potholes on a highway. The ancestry is plotted in Figure 1c, and the offspring in Figure 1b.

If we want to differentiate the potholes to the left or right of the vehicle, or simulate the warping of an airplane, the actuators must operate in opposition to each other, so while one actuator goes down, the other goes up, as shown in Fig. 2a and 2b.

For the simulation of the pitching movement, see Fig. 3a and 3b, we take advantage of the curved shape of the crossbow and introduce the actuator (3), when it lengthens it pushes against the ground and makes the platform go up the back, and lower the part lead. When the opposite movement is retracted, the rear part goes down, and the front one goes up, simulating in this case the ascent of a vehicle by a slope.

Optionally, a design is offered to provide a greater angle of warping, because with the actuators (2) proposed in Fig. 2, angles of warpage greater than 12 ° cannot be achieved, this may be insufficient for the simulation of more extreme situations . In the series of Figs. 4 represents the solution provided to warp at greater angles. Fig. 4a is a rear view, Fig. 4b represents the rotation of the chair, Fig. 4c is an enlarged detail of the described area, and Fig. 4d represents a side view of the assembly. The operation is as follows: we will swing the upper assembly formed by the chair (4) where the operator and the screens (5) rest, and their support (6), around the axis (7) located under the seat of the operator. The motor (8) that facilitates this movement is engraved to a toothed rack (9), the large diameter of this toothed rack allows an optimal lever arm, due to the considerable distance to the axis of rotation (7) that gives the possibility of Introduce a low power motor.

Moreover, the invention proposes to associate a large part of movements, to a mechanical structure of reduced proportions, with low-power and low-cost electric actuators. The invention is capable of being massively built in the metallurgical sector, with conventional machinery.

The proposal aims to emphasize the important mission of training vehicle operators in the safe environment of the simulation, avoiding their exposure, to risks that would have irreparable consequences in a real scenario.

Finally, the simulation at the level intended by the present invention seeks to reduce the real operating costs of the vehicles it intends to imitate, with the maximum approximation to reality, while achieving a significant reduction in the energy resources used. The proposal also aims to be an ecological proposal.

Claims (3)

1. Light simulator of the movement of a vehicle based on a rocking chair, in which its curved base formed by crossbows (1) enables the typical movement of a rocking chair by the action of the actuator (3), and at the same time the vertical movement taking advantage the fl exion of the crossbow, this time by the competition of the actuators (2), that if they act in a contrary way between them can simulate the warping movement. 2. Lightweight movement simulator of a vehicle based on a rocking chair, according to claim 1, in which to achieve a greater angle of warping the upper assembly formed by the chair (4) and the support (6) of the screens is rotated (5) around an axis (7) located under the operator's seat, thanks to the competition of a motor (8) that connected to a curved rack (9) facilitates this rotation. SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200803469 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 28.11.2008 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A47C3 / 029 (2006.01) A63G31 / 16 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

Y

US 6089663 A (SPANG AND COMPANY) 18.06.2000, the whole document. 1-2

Y

US 4461470 A1 (MARK E. ASTROTH) 24.06.1984, the whole document. 1-2

TO

US 2003134676 A1 (VISION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM) 06.17.2003, the whole document. 1-2

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 29.11.2011

Examiner G. Foncillas Garrido Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 200803469 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) A47C, A63G Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200803469 Date of Written Opinion: 29.11.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-2 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-2 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200803469 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 6089663 A (SPANG AND COMPANY) 18.06.2000

D02

US 4461470 A1 (MARK E. ASTROTH) 24.06.1984

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The purpose of the request is based on the use of a rocking chair for the movement of a flight simulator. For the different movements of the simulator (warping, vertical, etc.) different techniques are used (rack motor, crossbows, actuators, etc.). The advantage of the simulator is its size and weight, in addition to the combinations of methods for movement. Claim 1 Document D01 describes a movement simulator of a vehicle based on a rocking chair (column 4, lines 15-18 and column 5, lines 22-26) in which there is at its base a set of one or more curved parts at style of springs that give the machine the ability to move like a rocking chair (column 4, lines 1-5) by the actuation of an actuator (column 5, lines 55-60). It is considered that using the actuators to achieve a backward or forward or lateral movement does not provide inventive activity to the invention. Thus, it is observed that document D01 (summary) contemplates the possibility of performing both movements. It can be seen that the difference between claim 1 and document D01 is the use of the actuators to achieve vertical movement of the assembly. Thus, the technical effect or essence of this invention that this difference entails is that when using these actuators the complete platform is raised or lowered as indicated on the screen to add realism to the simulator. Thus, the objective technical problem that would solve the claimed invention would be the possibility of using some element to raise and lower the platform. The proposed solution is described as a solution to the same problem in document D02, where it is disclosed (summary and column 2, lines 11-15) that every time the image rises on the screen the platform goes down and vice versa, some actuators (column 2, lines 40-44) carry out the movement in the opposite direction. It is considered that one skilled in the art would attempt to combine both documents to achieve all the technical effects of claim 1. Therefore, claim 1 lacks inventive activity (Article 8 LP). Claim 2 Document D01 describes a motion simulator of a vehicle based on a rocking chair in which there is also a chair (400), arranged to accommodate the operator. In addition there is (300) a necessary support to support the screens of a computer (200). It can be seen that the difference between claim 2 and document D01 is the incorporation of the presence of a motor that, moving on a rack, achieves a greater angle of warping around an axis under the operator's seat. Thus, the technical effect or essence of this invention that this difference entails is that when using a motor moving on a rack, it is possible to extend the rotation. Thus, the objective technical problem that would solve the claimed invention would be the possibility of rotation or movement on an axis or on a platform using a rack. The proposed solution is described as a solution to the same problem in document D02, where a platform rotation system where the chair and the screen are incorporated is disclosed (column 18, lines 24-35). Said system incorporates a rotating drum, replaceable by a curved rack system, on which the cables that hold the platform and make it rotate are located. The presence of a motor (column 3, lines 10-17) that allows the drum or rack to rotate to achieve the desired warping is also disclosed. For all the aforementioned, it is considered that one skilled in the art would attempt to combine the main parts of document D01 with document D02 of the closest state of the art to obtain the characteristics of claim 2. Thus, it is considered that claim 2 lacks of inventive activity (Article 8 LP). State of the Art Report Page 4/4