WO1997015364A1

WO1997015364A1 - Simulator assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1997015364A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000644
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Edward Cartwright
Original assignee: Simtech Australia Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1995-10-20
Filing date: 1996-10-14
Publication date: 1997-05-01
Also published as: AUPN613095A0

Abstract

A simulator assembly (1) comprising a frame (2) with a support member (3) moveably attached to the support member (3) to allow movement of said support member (3) about at least two orthogonal axes. Simulator assembly (1) also includes two spaced actuators (5) each mounted to the support member (3) and suspension coupling members (7) associated with a respective one of the actuators (5). There are also cables (17) associated with an end of said support member (3) and the cables are also coupled to one or more stationary points of the assembly (1). The cables (17) are coupled to the suspension coupling members and suspends the end of support member (3) from a support surface.

Description

SIMULATOR ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a simulator assembly for providing movement about two or more axes and in particular, but not necessarily limited to, a simulator assembly for commercial use or the home when used in conjunction with a personal computer or any other processing device. BACKGROUND ART

Simulators are commonly used for entertainment or training purposes. One basic form of simulator is generally used in the home in which a personal computer displays images upon a Visual Display Unit (VDU). The simulator is controlled by a computer program in which images are displayed to the VDU by communication with a joystick or keypads to provide an illusion of, for instance, piloting an aircraft or driving a vehicle.

In general, another problem with simulators of the type used in the home is that the reality of simulation is limited as they do not usually have a means of providing movement in conjunction with images displayed by the VDU.

Due to cost limitations, simulator assemblies used in amusement arcades generally provide movement about a single axis. Simulator assemblies can provide movement about two of three axes, these three axes being a longitudinal, a transverse and a vertical axis. The rotations about these three axes provide simulated roll, pitch and yaw respectively. Such simulator assemblies are relatively expensive, large, heavy and are neither suited for home use or arcade.

Disclosed in patent specifications US 5018973 and US 4066256 are simulator assemblies for providing simulated roll and pitch. However, the simulator mechanisms disclosed do not provide simulator yaw and their size makes them impractical for home use.

Simulator assemblies have been developed and used which provide simulated roll, pitch and yaw. Examples of which are disclosed in patent specifications GB 154860 and US 4584869. However, such simulators are relatively expensive, have unnecessary complex support and actuation mechanisms, and require impractical amounts of space which is not always available in the home. For these reasons simulators which provide simulated roll, pitch and yaw are generally only found at amusement parks, fair grounds or in training institutions such as an aircraft pilot training centre.

A further problem with the above simulator assemblies is that there is unnecessary movement of the display unit. Accordingly, if such a simulator assembly is used in conjunction with a computer in which the VDU is supported by the assembly, the VDU would be susceptible to failure or damage due to the unnecessary movement and forces applied thereto. Further, the positioning of the display unit with respect to the axial movement of current simulator assemblies may give rise to an inadequate or unrealistic simulation effect. If the VDU is supported by a stationary platform, which is usually the case with arcade simulators, then the relative effect of simulation is reduced.

In the inventor's Patent Specification identified by WO 94/24651 there is disclosed a simulator assembly which alleviates some of the problems associated with prior art simulator assemblies. However, the actuators used in this Patent Specification require to move unnecessary long distances in order to provide an adequate simulation effect. In this regard due to the large extensions required of the actuators extra strengthening is required which increases the cost of the simulator assembly. It is an aim of the invention to overcome or alleviate at least one of the problems associated with prior art simulator assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a simulator assembly including: a mounting means; a user support member, said support member being movably attached by a movable attachment means to said mounting means to allow movement of said support member about at least two orthogonal axes; two spaced actuators each mounted to said support member at a respective position away from said attachment means; suspension coupling means associated with a respective one of said actuators; and flexible suspension means associated with an end of said support member, said flexible suspension means being coupled to one or more stationary points of said assembly and said suspension means being also coupled to said suspension coupling means, wherein said flexible suspension coupling means suspends said end from a support surface. Preferably, said support member may be movably attatched to said mounting means to allow movement about three mutually orthogonal axes.

Suitably, said actuators may be spaced apart along a transverse axis of said support member.

Preferably, said suspension coupling means may include at least one pulley wheel engaging said suspension means.

Suitably, the pulley wheel may be a conventional pulley wheel, gipsy or sprocket. Preferably, the suspension means may include one or more ropes, cables or chains.

Suitably, the pulley wheel may pivot about an upright axis and an axis normal thereto.

Preferably, said mounting means may be a support frame, Preferably, the attachment means may include a third actuator for providing movement of said support member relative to said mounting means.

Suitably, each of the actuators can be linear drives.

Preferably, the linear drives may be operatively coupled to a respective electric motor.

Preferably, there is a carriage associated with each of said actuators wherein each carriage is movable along an associated upright track extending from said mounting means.

Suitably, there may be one or more biassing means engaging said support member and said mounting means.

Preferably the biassing means can be opposing springs extending between a respective side of said support member and said mounting means.

Preferably, each carriage associated with one of said two actuators may have a roller associated therewith for engagement with a rigid arcuate surface of said support member.

Suitably, the attachment means may allow movement about an upright axis.

Preferably, said attachment means may allow movement of said support member about axes other than axes that are mutually orthogonal.

Preferably, said attachment means may include a ball joint or other similar pivotal means. There may be a visual display unit support means associated with said support member, wherein when said actuation means provides said pivotal movement, said visual display unit support means pivots about said pivotal attachment means. The visual display unit support means may be located in close proximity to said attachment means.

There may be a keyboard support means associated with said support member.

Suitably, the simulator assembly may include a hood to provide sensory isolation.

The support surface may be a surface of said mounting means or a ground surface or any other support surface.

Preferable, the support member may support a single person or more than one person. In this regard, if the support member can support more than one person, the simulator assembly may be a large simulator of the type used in amusement parks and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made a to preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:-

FIG 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; FIG 2 is a side view of FIG 1 ; and FIG 3 is a rear view of FIG 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS 1 to 3 there is illustrated a simulator assembly 1 comprising a mounting means in the form of a support frame 2 and a user support member 3 mounted to frame 2 by a ball joint assembly 4 and carriage assembly 21. There are two linear drive rear actuators 5 operatively coupled to a respective electrically powered drive motor 6. Rear actuators 5 are spaced along a longitudinal axis L of support member 3 from ball joint assembly 4. Actuators 5 are also spaced apart along a transverse axis T of support member 3, transverse axis T being transverse and orthogonal to longitudinal axis L. Each of rear actuators 5 has an associated suspension coupling means in the form of a pulley wheel 7 pivotally mounted about an upright axis UR to an arm 8 extending from a respective associated carriage assembly 9. Pulley wheel 9 is rotatable about an axis R which is normal to upright axis UR. Carriage assembly 9 includes an upright member 10 coupled to a respective one of rear actuators 5 by a bolt 11 and locking pin (not shown).

Also associated with each of rear actuators 5 are two parallel carriage tracks 12 extending upwardly and are part of support frame 2 and the upper ends of tracks 12 are supported by struts 13 of support frame 2. Each carriage assembly 9 also includes two parallel and horizontal members 15 mounted at a respective end of upright member 10. Further, rotatably mounted to each end of members 15 are respective rollers 16 which engage respective tracks 12.

Two multi-stranded flexible cables 17 (commonly known as aircraft cable) are attached (coupled) at one of their ends to a support frame 2, this being a stationary part of assembly 1.

An intermediate section of each one of multi-stranded flexible cables 17 engages a respective pulley wheel 7 and the other ends of cables 17 are attached adjacent an end 18 of support member 3 thereby suspending end 18 from a supporting surface supporting assembly 1.

Springs 22 extend between sides of support member 3 and struts 13 to reduce rocking of support member 3. Springs 22 have a webbing to cover both pulley wheels 7 and arms 8. Further, at ends of arms 8 are respective rollers 23 which during movement of support member 3 may contact a rigid acuate surface 30 of support member 3.

At an end 19 opposite to end 18 of support member 3 is a front actuator 20 operatively coupled to electric drive motor 31 and associated carriage assembly 21 which is identical to carriage assembly 9.

Associated with an arm 32 of carriage assembly 21 is a socket of ball joint assembly 4 which engages a complimentary ball associated with support member 3. Therefore ball joint assembly allows pivotal movement of support member 3 about three mutually orthogonal axes, these being a upright axis U, transverse axis T, and longitudinal axis L. Further, movement of support member 3 about other axes is also possible.

In use, any of the three actuators may be moved individually or concurrently in any combination. For example, upward movement of both rear actuators 5 results in movement of support member 3 about transverse axis T thereby providing pitch. However, relative movement of rear actuators 5 results in movement of support member 3 about longitudinal axis L and upright axis U thereby providing roll and yaw respectively. Furthermore, movement of front actuator 20 in combination with relative movement of one or both rear actuators 5 increases the range of roll, pitch, yaw and combinations thereof.

Support member 3 is adapted to support a person and includes a seat 25, a foot support 26 and a visual display unit support 27 for supporting a VDU 28 over which may be positioned a hood 29 (shown in phantom) for providing sensory isolation. Also slidably mounted to support member 3 is a keyboard support 30 to which may be mounted a keyboard, joystick, steering wheel or other simulator controls. The combination of cables 17 and pulley wheels 7 suspending end 18 of support member 3 provides for amplification of movement of rear actuators 3. Accordingly, extension of actuators 5 can be reduced allowing smaller actuators to be used which can lead to a substantial cost reduction. Furthermore, the invention can provide roll pitch and yaw by use of only two actuators 5 providing a further cost reduction. Finally, carriage assembly 9 and tracks 12 reduce side forces and stresses on actuators 5 which can therefore lead to a further cost reduction in the type of actuators used.

Although, the invention has been described with reference it is a preferred embodiment to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described herein. For instance, support frame 2 may be replaced with a strengthed injection moulded plastics mounting means.

Claims

1. A simulator assembly including: a mounting means; a user support member, said support member being movably attached by a movable attachment means to said mounting means to allow movement of said support member about at least two orthogonal axes; two spaced actuators each mounted to said support member at a respective position away from said attachment means; suspension coupling means associated with a respective one of said actuators; and flexible suspension means associated with an end of said support member, said flexible suspension means being coupled to one or more stationary points of said assembly and said suspension means being also coupled to said suspension coupling means, wherein said flexible suspension coupling means suspends said end from a support surface.

2. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said support member is movably attatched to said mounting means to allow movement about three mutually orthogonal axes.

3. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said actuators are spaced apart along a transverse axis of said support member.

4. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said suspension coupling means includes at least one pulley wheel engaging said suspension means.

5. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pulley wheel is pivotal about an upright axis and an axis normal thereto.

6. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes a third actuator for providing movement of said support member relative to said mounting means.

7. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is a carriage associated with each of said actuators and wherein each carriage is movable along an associated upright track extending from said mounting means.

8. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there are one or more biassing means engaging said support member and said mounting means.

9. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the biassing means are opposing springs extending between a respective side of said support member and said mounting means.

10. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein each carriage associated with one of said two actuators has a roller associated therewith for engagement with a rigid arcuate surface of said support member.

11. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the attachment means allows movement about an upright axis.

12. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the attachment means allows movement about an upright axis.

13. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment means allows movement of said support member about axes other than axes that are mutually orthogonal.

14. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said attachment means allows movement of said support member about axes other than axes that are mutually orthogonal.

15. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is a visual display unit support means associated with said support member, and wherein when said actuation means provides said pivotal movement, said visual display unit support means pivots about said pivotal attachment means.

16. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the visual display unit support means is located in close proximity to said attachment means.

17. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is a keyboard support means associated with said support member.

18. A simulator assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said assembly includes a hood to provide sensory isolation.