Patent Grant
12023598
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Austrian Patent Application AT A50073/2021, filed Feb. 5, 2021; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a motion simulator for an entertainment system. The device has a movable platform comprising a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a rear face, and a central axis running from the rear face to the front face. There is arranged on the top face at least one viewing position having a supporting element for spectators to lean against, a support for the platform, wherein the platform is mounted via its bottom face on the support so as to have limited movability, and a drive device for moving the movable platform relative to the support, wherein the drive device comprises a cable drive device for pulling the movable platform, wherein the cable drive device is fastened on the one hand to the support and on the other hand via at least one attachment point to the platform, and an energy storage device which is fastened on the one hand to the support and on the other hand via an energy storage device attachment point to the platform, wherein the platform is pivotable by the drive device about a first pivot axis oriented substantially orthogonally to the central axis. The present invention relates additionally to an entertainment system having such a motion simulator.
Motion simulators are used in order that people on the motion simulator are able to experience a movement which, for example, is shown on a screen. This person thus has an even more realistic film experience, since they do not simply sit or stand quietly but experience the movements almost for real.
An example of such a motion simulator in which a large number of people or spectators simultaneously stand on a platform of such a simulator is known from Austrian Patent No. AT 513435 B1. There, the simulation platform is suspended from cables. The cables are movable by a controlled drive device.
A further example of an amusement ride suspended from cables is known from EP 2 572 766 A1. US 2014/0274431 A1 and CN 101991952 A also disclose devices with cables.
On the other hand, there are also numerous variants in which the simulation platform effectively stands on the drive devices. In this connection, reference may be made to US 2018/0221778 A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,789,680 and 4,066,256. Especially in the case of the two last-mentioned documents, the screen and the platform are readily visible, wherein the spectator viewing positions arranged on the platform are oriented in the direction of the screen. The platforms each have a notional central axis, which runs centrally towards, or is oriented towards, the screen. According to the activation of the drive devices, the platform can be pivoted about a pivot axis oriented substantially orthogonally to the central axis. The front face of the platform thereby moves up and down in the vertical direction. This corresponds to tilting in the form of pitching.
Motion simulators are further known in which there is usually only one person on the platform. Examples thereof are to be found in CN 101940842 A, CN 202044766 U and U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,470. It is a common feature of these three mentioned documents that, on the one hand, tilting of the platform is initiated via at least one cable by pulling. In addition, there is an element which acts against the pulling. In the two first-mentioned specifications, a type of piston damper or a lever arrangement is provided for this purpose; in the third-mentioned specification, a spring is mentioned, which spring pushes the platform downward as soon as the cables no longer pull the platform.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a motion simulator, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which provides for an improvement and/or an alternative to the prior art. In particular, the novel simulator is to be of compact construction, is to have a large range of motion, is to be of structurally simple construction, and/or is to function relatively quietly.
With the above and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a motion simulator for an entertainment system, the motion simulator comprising:
Because the energy storage device attachment point and the at least one attachment point of the cable drive device to the platform are arranged between the first pivot axis and the front face, the space on the bottom face of the platform is used economically. It is thus not necessary on the one hand to push and on the other hand to pull in opposite regions (front face and rear face), but simple attachment of the components of the drive device in the region of the front face is sufficient. The connection of the drive device to the platform is thus simpler.
Also, the novel motion simulator is characterized in that the platform is movable in at least two degrees of freedom, and preferably in three degrees of freedom of motion.
Because the energy storage device pushes against the bottom face of the platform, the pulling initiated by the cable drive device can be counteracted in a simple manner. The movement of the platform can thus be controlled optimally and simply. In other words, the force of the (at least partially tensioned or loaded) energy storage device acts from the support in the direction of the bottom face of the platform. The platform is thus pushed upward in the front region by the energy storage device.
It is possible per se that the attachment point of the cable drive device to the platform is identical with the energy storage device attachment point. In the case of such a configuration, the platform can, however, be moved via this one point, so that the platform is pivotable only about the first pivot axis.
It is therefore preferably provided that the attachment point of the cable drive device to the platform is spaced apart from the energy storage device attachment point. A further degree of freedom for the movement of the platform is thereby achieved.
The platform can have any desired shape, as long as there is room thereon for at least one spectator.
For simple production, it is preferably provided that the platform has a substantially planar base plate with a substantially smooth top face and a substantially smooth bottom face. However, various protrusions or indentations can of course be formed in or on the base plate, for example in order to increase the stability.
The base plate of the platform, in a plan view, can be substantially circular or oval. Preferably, the base plate, in a plan view, is quadrangular.
Particularly preferably, the base plate, in a plan view, is in the form of an isosceles trapezium. In such a trapezium, the longer of the two parallel sides forms the front face and the shorter forms the rear face. The central axis divides this trapezium into two mirror-symmetrical regions of equal size.
The support should at least be so configured that the platform is able to pivot on the support about the first pivot axis.
It can also be provided that the support has a ball joint (which also forms the first pivot axis), wherein the platform is mounted via this ball joint on the support so as to have limited movability.
For a simple construction, it is preferably provided that the support has a base, preferably a fixed base, a first pivot bearing, and a pivot element which is connected to the platform and is mounted on the first pivot bearing so as to be pivotable about the first pivot axis.
This pivot element can be in the form of, for example, a profiled support element. The platform can be fastened directly or indirectly to this pivot element.
In order to achieve uniform and central energy transmission from the energy storage device to the platform, it is preferably provided that the energy storage device attachment point to the platform lies in a vertical plane enclosing the central axis.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment it is provided that the platform, by relaxation (or unloading) of the energy storage device, is able to be tilted about the first pivot axis.
As a result of this relaxation (or unloading), the forward face, or front face, of the platform is moved upward. A movement of the front face of the platform downward is effected in that the platform is able to be tilted about the first pivot axis by actuation of the cable drive device, preferably by simultaneous actuation of the two cable drive units.
According to the actuation of the cable drive device (and the reactional force of the energy storage device), a pitch angle of the platform is obtained, wherein a maximum pitch angle range of about 30° is provided.
The pitch angle—as well as the roll angle and yaw angle mentioned hereinbelow—are orientation angles which are actually used to describe the orientation of a vehicle in three-dimensional space. In this case, the platform forms the vehicle so to speak. The central axis corresponds to the viewing direction when theoretically travelling straight ahead. The pitch angle is thus the angle by which the front face of the platform tilts (or “pitches”). The first pivot axis forms the Y-axis in a corresponding coordinate system.
The pitch angle range—starting from a horizontal plane—can extend both above and below this horizontal plane. For example, the pitch angle range can extend in equal portions above and below the horizontal plane (e.g. tilt upward 15° and tilt downward 15°). However, any desired other division may also be made.
The same applies to the roll angle range described hereinbelow.
For the yaw angle range described hereinbelow, the same applies in respect of a vertical plane enclosing the central axis.
It is further preferably provided that the support has a second pivot bearing, preferably formed in (or on) the pivot element, for the platform, wherein the second pivot bearing has a second pivot axis which is preferably oriented orthogonally to the first pivot axis.
It is particularly preferably provided that the second pivot axis is oriented parallel to the central axis.
In addition, it is preferably provided that the second pivot axis is arranged in a vertical plane enclosing the central axis.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment it is provided that the platform, by pulling the cable drive device, is able to be tilted about the second pivot axis, preferably in a roll angle range of not more than 25°.
The roll angle is thus the angle by which the lateral regions of the platform tilt (or “roll”). The second pivot axis forms the X-axis in a corresponding coordinate system.
In principle, it is possible that the cable drive device has only one cable, which is connected to the platform.
However, in order to achieve more movement possibilities, it is preferably provided that the cable drive device has a first cable drive unit and a second cable drive unit separate from the first cable drive unit, wherein the first cable drive unit is fastened on the one hand to the support and on the other hand via a first attachment point to the platform, and the second cable drive unit is fastened on the one hand to the support and on the other hand via a second attachment point to the platform.
Where there are two attachment points, it is also provided that the first attachment point and the second attachment point to the platform are arranged between the first pivot axis and the front face.
In order to permit a rapid and simple tilting movement by the roll angle, it is preferably provided that these two attachment points are formed laterally—that is to say spaced apart from the central axis—on the platform.
Accordingly, it is preferably provided that the first attachment point of the first cable drive unit to the platform is arranged between the second pivot axis and a first lateral region of the platform.
In addition, it is preferably provided that the second attachment point of the second cable drive unit to the platform is arranged between the second pivot axis and a second lateral region of the platform, wherein the second lateral region is opposite (or remote from) the first lateral region.
It is further preferably provided that the first attachment point and the second attachment point to the platform are arranged on mutually opposite sides of the central axis.
In order to introduce movement uniformly into the platform, it is particularly preferably provided that the first attachment point and the second attachment point are at the same distance from the central axis.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment it is provided that the cable drive units each have a cable fastened to the platform, a cable drive, preferably in the form of a cable reel, for pulling the cable, preferably for winding and unwinding the cable, which cable drive is movably, preferably rotatably, mounted on the support, and a drive assembly, preferably an electromotive drive assembly, for driving the cable drive, preferably for rotating the cable reel.
Alternatively, it can be provided that the cable drive is in the form of a piston-cylinder unit or in the form of a linear drive, wherein the cable is then correspondingly fastened thereto at one end.
It is further preferably provided that the cables are each able to be deflected about a deflecting roller which is rotatably mounted on the support, preferably on the base thereof.
With regard to the energy storage device, it is preferably provided that the energy storage device, which is preferably in the form of a spring. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a gas spring, or hydro-pneumatic spring element. The spring may have a cylinder which is attached to the platform, preferably via a rotary joint (which forms the energy storage device attachment point), and a piston which is attached to the support, preferably via a rotary joint.
The attachment can also be reversed, so that the piston is fastened to the platform while the cylinder is fastened to the support.
In order to be able to limit the movements, or the speeds of movement, there is preferably provided at least one braking device for braking the movement of the cable drive device and/or of the energy storage device, wherein the braking device is fastened on the one hand to the support and on the other hand to the platform.
It is particularly preferably provided that the braking device has a piston rod and a cylinder, wherein the piston rod is able to be braked in the cylinder by frictional engagement or by positive engagement by a clamping element.
Preferably, a maximum speed (or maximum acceleration) of the platform of 2 m/sec is possible with the drive device.
In order to achieve a further degree of freedom, there is preferably provided a rotary device for rotating the platform about a vertical axis of rotation.
It can be provided that the platform is rotatable about the vertical axis of rotation by the rotary device preferably in a yaw angle range of not more than 30°.
The rotary device can be part of the support, wherein the platform is rotatable relative to the support, preferably relative to the base thereof, via the rotary device.
Alternatively, the rotary device can be separate from the support, wherein the support as a whole—including the platform arranged thereon—is mounted so as to be rotatable by the rotary device. For example, such a rotary device can be in the form of a pedestal with a vertical axis of rotation.
The yaw angle is the angle by which the front face and the rear face of the platform rotate (also called “yawing” or lurching). The axis of rotation forms the Z-axis in a corresponding coordinate system.
In order for the simulator to be used effectively in the entertainment industry, it is preferably provided that there is arranged on the top face of the platform a plurality of viewing positions each having a supporting element for a spectator to lean against. For example, up to 30 viewing positions can be provided.
The supporting elements can be part of a seat, so that a spectator leans with his back against this supporting element. Preferably, however, the supporting elements are so designed that spectators stand in the viewing position. A spectator can thus lean with the front side of his body against the supporting element.
In order to ensure the safety of the spectators, it is preferably provided that there is provided in each viewing position a spectator restraint system, preferably in the form of a safety belt or safety bar, which is preferably connected to the respective supporting element.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment there is provided a control or regulating unit for controlling or regulating movements of the platform.
It is particularly preferably provided that control signals are able to be outputted to the cable drive device, preferably to the drive assemblies thereof, via the control or regulating unit.
The motion simulator can be designed, for example, for a video game (e.g. for only one person). In this case, the movements depend on the steering and control movements of the person playing the game. Accordingly, it can preferably be provided here that the motion simulator is movable in dependence on control or steering movements initiated on a controller.
There is also provided, and protection is claimed, for an entertainment system having a screen, wherein a film is able to be shown on the screen, and a motion simulator according to the invention. Similarly, the moving pictures may also be displayed via VR devices (e.g., goggles). The entertainment system, furthermore, may be characterized by interactivity features where the movement behavior of a user (i.e., participating spectator) may interactively control the movement of the platform and/or the display.
It can particularly preferably be provided that the motion simulator is able to be moved in dependence on a motion data track—which corresponds to the film being shown on the screen.
There can be used as the screen a screen that is conventional in the entertainment field. 2D images (or 2D videos) or 3D images (or 3D videos) can be shown with this screen.
It is possible that the screen is part of a virtual reality application.
Generally, additional special effects can be produced with the entertainment system. Examples thereof which may be mentioned include water effects, wind effects, fog effects, light effects, shaking effects, etc.
According to a first variant, it is provided for the entertainment system that the screen is in the form of a (relatively large) screen which is separate from the motion simulator, wherein this screen is arranged in a region facing the front face and is oriented substantially orthogonally to the central axis. This variant thus corresponds to a cinema, in which all the spectators look at the same central screen. This screen can be in the form of, for example, a cinema screen onto which the images or a video is/are projected, or a fully surrounding display (i.e., 360° surround screen), or a full-screen dome in which images are displayed in a substantial hemisphere around and above the spectator.
It is also possible for the screen to be mounted to the moving platform so that the screen moves with the platform. In yet another embodiment, the display screens are individually associated with a single viewing position.
Such an entertainment system can be permanently installed in a room or a hall of an amusement park. Also, the system may be installed outside in an open environment, an amusement park, a water park, a museum, etc.
A possible application is also in a water park. In order to meet requirements here on account of the prevailing wetness, appropriately water-tight cable connections should be provided, appropriate metals should be used for the construction as a whole, the surfaces should have a water-resistant finish, the floor should be more slip-resistant, and higher-quality manufacture in general should be provided.
According to a second and alternative variant, it is provided for the entertainment system that each viewing position has an associated screen. Each spectator thus has a separate screen (preferably with a loudspeaker) on or in front of his supporting element. In other words, each viewing position including the supporting element and the screen forms a type of “mini cinema” (preferably with a sound system and special effects). In this variant, the screen thus always moves with the platform.
Especially this second variant is suitable for providing a mobile entertainment system and sparing a large projection area. Such a mobile entertainment system can easily be set up and dismantled and can also be erected and used for only a relatively short period of time, for example for festivals lasting several days or for other such events.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in motion simulator for an entertainment system, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
and
Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
On the movable platform 2 there is arranged a plurality of viewing positions A for spectators, wherein there is a supporting element 3 in each viewing position A. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment shown, eighteen supporting elements 3 are arranged on the platform 2.
Each supporting element 3 has uprights 32, preferably metallic uprights, a rest 33, two handle bars 34 and a spectator restraint system 31 (preferably in the form of a safety belt).
The platform 2 has a (preferably smooth) top face O and an opposite bottom face U.
The platform 2 can have any desired contour. Preferably, the platform 2, in a plan view, is substantially quadrangular. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
The platform 2 has a front face F, a rear face B, a first lateral region L1, and a second lateral region L2. The central axis C runs through the middle of the platform from the rear face B to the front face F.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the central axis C divides the platform 2 (or the base plate 21 thereof) into two substantially mirror-symmetrical regions of equal size.
It can also be seen in
By means of the second cable drive unit 62 it can be seen that this—like the first cable drive unit 61—has a cable 63 fastened to the platform 2, a cable drive 64 movably mounted on the support 4, and a drive assembly 65. In addition, a deflecting roller 66 for the cable 63 can—as shown—also be rotatably mounted on the support 4.
The cable 63 of the first cable drive unit 61 is connected to the platform 2 (preferably to the frame element 22 thereof) via the first attachment point P61. The cable 63 of the second cable drive unit 62 is also connected to the platform 2 (preferably to the frame element 22 thereof) via the second attachment point P62.
Of course, these attachment points P61 and P62 (and this also applies to the energy storage device attachment point P7) are not to be considered as a one-dimensional “point” in the geometrical sense. Rather, these attachment points are to be regarded as attachment regions or fastening locations.
It can be seen particularly clearly in
The vertical plane E which encloses the central axis C is depicted in
It can further be seen in
The braking devices 8 each have a piston rod 81 and a cylinder 82, wherein the piston rod 81 is movably guided in the cylinder 82. It can preferably be provided that the piston rod 81 is able to be braked in the cylinder 82 by frictional engagement or by positive engagement by a clamping element 83.
In
It can clearly be seen in
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pivot bearing 42 has a pivot pin formed on the pivot element 43 and a bearing for the pivot pin formed in the base 41.
Therefore, it can be seen particularly clearly in
It can further be seen rudimentarily in
The energy storage device 7 is connected indirectly to the platform 2 via the pivot element 43 of the support 4. The energy storage device 7 has a cylinder 71, which is attached to the platform 2 via a rotary joint 73, and a piston 72, which is attached to the support 4 via a rotary joint 74.
The pivot element 43 is in the form of a frame. The bearing points of the pivot bearing 44 for the pivot axis S2 are formed at an end facing the rear face B and at an end facing the front face F. The platform 2 is mounted on these bearing points via corresponding bearing points (which are formed on the frame element 22).
By pulling the first cable drive unit 61 of the cable drive device 6, the platform is able to be tilted about the second pivot axis S2. Simultaneously with this pulling, the cable 63 of the second cable drive device 62 is pulled out. This can take place by an actively controlled movement of the cable drive 65 of the second cable drive unit 62. Alternatively, the cable drive 65 of the second cable drive unit 62 can be switched to idle, so that the cable 63 thereof is pulled out by the upward movement of the platform 2.
The movement about the second pivot axis S2 corresponds to a movement by a roll angle. Based on the dimensions and the limited possibilities of movement between the platform 2 and the support 4, the roll angle range R of about 20° shown in
In
The movement about the first pivot axis S1 corresponds to a movement by a pitch angle. Based on the dimensions and the limited possibilities of movement between the platform 2 and the support 4, the pitch angle range N of about 20° shown in
If the two cable drive units 61 and 62 are actuated at the same speed (and force), a tilting movement solely about the first pivot axis S1 is carried out. The second pivot axis S2 remains unchanged.
If the two cable drive units 61 and 62 are actuated at different speeds, a tilting movement about the second axis S2 also takes place in addition to the tilting movement about the first pivot axis S1. Depending on which of the two cable drive units 61 and 62 is activated or operated with the higher speed, a rolling movement takes place in the direction of that cable drive unit 61 or 62.
The energy storage device 7 is so configured that it pushes against the bottom face U of the platform 2. The energy storage device 7 thus always tries to push the platform 2 upward. However, because the cable drive device 6 is stronger than the energy storage device 7, the energy storage device 7 is compressed or additionally loaded—as can be seen in
The two pivot axes S1 and S2 are depicted in
In
In
In
In
Finally,
In contrast to the variant shown in
Accordingly,
In
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 50073/2021 | Feb 2021 | AT | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1789680 | Gwinnett | Jan 1931 | A |
| 4066256 | Trumbull | Jan 1978 | A |
| 4461470 | Astroth et al. | Jul 1984 | A |
| 8920251 | Dietz et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 9289693 | Morris | Mar 2016 | B1 |
| 9393497 | Valtiner-Zuegg et al. | Jul 2016 | B2 |
| 20140274431 | Schmidt | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20160236100 | Douglas | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20180221778 | Blum et al. | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180247557 | Brice | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 513435 | Feb 2015 | AT |
| 101940842 | Jan 2011 | CN |
| 101991952 | Mar 2011 | CN |
| 202044766 | Nov 2011 | CN |
| 2572766 | Mar 2013 | EP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220249964 A1 | Aug 2022 | US |
