Support for driving simulators

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support (1) for a driving simulator (10), comprising: a support (2), a lower plate (3) connected to the support (2), an upper plate (4) connected to the lower plate (3), and a first motion device and a second motion device (6). The first motion device (5) is interposed between the support (2) and a front portion (3b) of the lower plate (3) and is configured to move the lower plate (3) relative to the support (2) according to a pitching motion and / or a rolling motion. The second motion device (6) is interposed between the lower plate (3) and the upper plate (4) and is configured to move the upper plate (4) relative to the lower plate (3) according to a yaw motion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices and systems for vehicle driving training.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a support for a driving simulator and a simulator using the support.

[0003] Advantageously, the invention is generally applicable in the field of entertainment and "e-sports". In particular, the invention is used for vehicle driving training, but can also be applied in the "entertainment field", for example in theme parks, game areas, entertainment areas, etc.

[0004] Preferably, the present invention is used for a Gran Turismo (GT) car simulator, but may also be used for other types of vehicles. Background Art

[0005] The continuous and rapid increase in the computing power of modern processors, in particular in the field of graphics, has enabled increasingly faithful and accurate representations of real environments and situations to be achieved.

[0006] The quality level currently achieved enables the artificial creation of sufficiently complex environments to react in a realistic way to input that a user might provide.

[0007] In particular, the above-mentioned contents are particularly useful when applied to a system for simulating a driving condition of a vehicle.

[0008] In fact, these systems can allow drivers to be trained to drive various vehicles in simulated rather than real environments, without any risk to the safety of the driver and possible instructor, while reducing the operating costs associated with their use (such as vehicle wear and tear, fuel consumption, planning of suitable training routes, etc.).

[0009] Structurally, currently known driving simulators are primarily used in the field of Formula One (F1) and consist of a series of components and input peripherals that mimic the interior of a vehicle and are mounted on a platform supported at its corners by actuators placed on the ground.

[0010] Selective activation of the actuators enables movement of the platform by mimicking corresponding movement of the vehicle being simulated.

[0011] In particular, the actuators enable the simulation of pitch, roll and yaw movements of the vehicle.

[0012] However, prior art simulation systems still have non-optimized aspects that significantly limit the realism that can be achieved during simulation, in particular with regard to correctly reproducing vehicle motion.

[0013] These aspects are particularly pronounced in GT simulators, where the movements have a greater deviation than in known simulators for Formula 1 cars.

[0014] In particular, known systems are unable to faithfully reproduce pitch, roll and yaw motions, especially where these motions are very prominent, such as in GT simulators. Summary of the Invention

[0015] Against this background, the technical task on which the present invention is based is to provide a support for a driving simulator which eliminates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art as described above.

[0016] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a support for a driving simulator which is able to realistically and accurately reproduce all possible movements of a vehicle during a driving simulation.

[0017] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a support for a driving simulator capable of simulating a high-end sports car.

[0018] The technical task defined and the aims stated are substantially achieved by a support for a driving simulator comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

[0019] According to the present invention, a support for a driving simulator is shown, which includes: a support, a lower plate coupled to the support, an upper plate coupled to the lower plate, and a first motion device and a second motion device.

[0020] The first motion device is interposed between the support and the front portion of the lower plate and is configured to move the lower plate relative to the support according to a pitch movement and / or a roll movement.

[0021] The second motion device is interposed between the lower plate and the upper plate and is configured to move the upper plate relative to the lower plate according to the yawing motion.

[0022] Advantageously, the particular structural configuration of the supports shown herein enables the means for effecting pitch or roll motion to be separated from the means for effecting yaw motion, thereby enabling the means to be individually designed to optimize the different types of motion to be simulated.

[0023] In practice, the yaw movement is obtained by elements arranged above the foundation, in particular by the second movement means and the second plate arranged above the first plate.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is a driving simulator comprising: a support for a driving simulator according to the present invention; a seat mounted to an upper plate at a position opposite to a first motion device relative to a central portion; at least one input / output peripheral device; and a computer configured to generate and display a simulated driving environment so that a user can use a vehicle simulated by the input / output peripheral device.

[0025] Advantageously, the simulator of the invention ensures optimal performance, being able to reproduce, during use, the possible movements of the vehicle supported by it in a particularly precise and realistic manner.

[0026] The dependent claims incorporated herein by reference correspond to different embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the approximate and non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a support for a driving simulator, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 A view showing a support according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A view of the support with some parts hidden to show the connections between the plates and with the supports;

[0030] Figure 3 A longitudinal section of the support is shown;

[0031] Figure 4 shows a cross section of the connection portion between the plates constituting the support;

[0032] Figure 5 The first motion device is shown in detail;

[0033] Figure 6 A top view of the support is shown;

[0034] Figure 7 Shown include Figure 1 A view of the supported driving simulator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally denotes a support for a driving simulator, which will be simply indicated as support 1 in the following description.

[0036] The support 1 comprises a base 2 which couples the support 1 to the floor on which it rests and supports a lower plate 3 and an upper plate 4 .

[0037] In operation, the lower plate 3 and the upper plate 4 integrally combine to define a platform which, in use, is moved to replicate the movement of a simulated vehicle.

[0038] In more detail, the lower plate 3 has a rear portion 3a where it is coupled to the support 2, and a front portion 3b, the function of which will be discussed in detail below.

[0039] In particular, Figure 2 As shown, the rear portion 3a is coupled to the support 2 via a joint "G", which enables the lower plate 3 to move relative to the support 2 about a pivot axis defined by the joint "G".

[0040] Preferably, the lower plate 3 cooperates with the support 2 to define a housing "V" suitable for receiving inside one or more electronic components of the driving simulator.

[0041] For example, the housing “V” may contain at least a portion of the cables necessary for the operation of the various components of a driving simulator in which the present support 1 is implemented.

[0042] On the other hand, the upper plate 4 has a central portion 4 a where the upper plate 4 is coupled to the lower plate 3 .

[0043] Preferably, the central portion 4a of the upper plate 4 coincides with the corresponding central portion of the lower plate 3, so that the two plates 3, 4 substantially overlap, e.g. Figure 1 shown.

[0044] In particular, as in Figure 3 In the cross section and Figure 4 As shown in more detail in FIG, the connection between the lower plate 3 and the upper plate 4 can be achieved by a ball bearing "C" placed between the two.

[0045] Preferably, the ball bearing is thus arranged at the central portion 4a and has a first ring (e.g. outer ring) coupled to the upper plate 4 and a second ring (e.g. inner ring) coupled to the lower plate, thereby allowing one of the plates (3, 4) to rotate relative to the other plate around the ball bearing "C".

[0046] Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the upper plate 4 is configured to accommodate at least one input / output peripheral device of the driving simulator.

[0047] In other words, the upper plate 3 may be coupled with one or more other constituent elements of the driving simulator, thereby effectively defining the basis for a structure that replicates the interior of the vehicle that it is desired to replicate.

[0048] In particular, as shown in the figures, the upper plate 4 may be coupled to a frame "T" on which possible peripheral devices of the simulator (such as a steering wheel) may be constrained.

[0049] The support 1 also comprises first movement means 5 and second movement means 6 which are selectively actuatable in order to move the panels 3 , 4 in a manner simulating the movement of a vehicle.

[0050] In particular, the first movement means 5 are interposed between the support 2 and the front portion 3 b of the lower plate 3 and are configured to move the lower plate 3 relative to the support 2 according to a pitch movement and / or a roll movement.

[0051] Preferably, the first moving device 5 is disposed beyond the front portion 3 b of the lower plate 3 (ie, outside the entire size of the lower plate 3 ) relative to a plane defined by the lower plate 3 .

[0052] Furthermore, the height of the first moving device 5 extending in the vertical direction is generally greater than the height of the lower plate 3 relative to the support 2 .

[0053] In other words, the first movement device 5 is coupled to the front portion 3b so as to move the front portion 3b relative to the support 2, wherein the front portion 3b pivots on the support 2, thereby causing the lower plate 3 to swing relative to its transverse axis "X" and / or longitudinal axis "Y" so as to simulate the pitch movement and / or rolling movement of the vehicle, respectively.

[0054] According to one aspect of the present invention, in particular Figure 5 As shown, the first movement means 5 comprises a pair of actuators, for example linear actuators "P", which act on respective opposite sides of the front portion 3b. Preferably, these linear actuators "P" comprise respective stepper motors.

[0055] In particular, Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the linear actuator "P" is connected to the lower plate 3 through corresponding connecting devices, each connecting device includes a vertical arm 5a and a connecting arm 5b, the vertical arm 5a is arranged parallel to the corresponding linear actuator "P" and fixed to one side of the lower plate 3, and the connecting arm 5b is placed between the two.

[0056] In detail, the connecting arm 5b has a first end coupled with the linear actuator "P" and a second end pivoted at a fixed position, and the vertical arm 5a is coupled with the connecting arm 5b between the first and second ends.

[0057] In use, when the linear actuator "P" is activated, the connecting arm 5b rotates about its second end, thereby causing during its rotation movement of the vertical arm 5a which in turn raises or lowers the side of the lower plate 3 constrained thereto.

[0058] Advantageously, the connecting arm 5b can be used as a rocker to define or combine to define the travel limits for moving the lower plate 3, in particular when simulating a rolling movement.

[0059] The actuators are selectively actuatable to raise or lower the respective opposite sides, thereby causing oscillation of the lower plate 3 and thereby simulating a pitch and / or roll motion.

[0060] In operation, when the actuators are activated to raise or lower the two respective sides, the lower plate 3 (constrained at its rear portion 3a to the support 2) will rock about its transverse axis "X", simulating a pitch motion.

[0061] On the other hand, when one of the actuators is activated to lower it and the other actuator is activated to raise the corresponding side, the lower plate 3 will oscillate around its transverse axis "Y", simulating a rolling motion.

[0062] In order to prevent the lower plate 3 from being able to erroneously move in a substantially horizontal direction (i.e. parallel to the main plane of its extension), the first movement device 5 includes a vertically extending linear guide 5c, and the front part 3b includes a pin 7a that can be inserted into the linear guide 5c and can slide therein.

[0063] In other words, the linear guides 5c constrain the lower plate 3 to move only in the vertical direction (suitable for simulating the pitch of the vehicle) and in rotation about the longitudinal axis "Y" (suitable for simulating the roll of the vehicle).

[0064] Advantageously, when simulating pitch motion, the linear guides may also define or combine to define the travel limits for moving the lower plate 3. Further, the end travel is preferably also defined by the lever ratio existing between the respective linear actuators "P" on each vertical arm 5a and connecting arm 5b.

[0065] On the other hand, the second motion device 6 is interposed between the lower plate 3 and the upper plate 4 and is configured to move the upper plate 4 relative to the lower plate 3 according to the yaw motion.

[0066] In other words, the second movement device 6 acts on the upper plate 4 in such a way as to move the upper plate 4 so as to rotate around its central portion 4 a where it pivots on the lower plate 3 .

[0067] Structurally, the second motion device 6 may include an actuator, which in this case may also be implemented by a linear actuator. The actuator is configured to rotate the upper plate 4 relative to the lower plate 3 around the central portion 4a, thereby causing a yaw motion.

[0068] According to one aspect of the present invention, in particular Figure 6 As shown, the second motion device 6 is coupled to the lower plate 3 at the front portion 3 b thereof, or is provided on the first motion device 5 .

[0069] In this way, the presence of the first 5 and second 6 movement means in the front part of the support 1 makes it possible to improve the user's experience by effectively replicating, also during the simulation, the sensation given in the vehicle by its weight.

[0070] In order to ensure the correct movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate 3, the lower plate 3 includes at least one front guide 8a, preferably two front guides 8a, and at least one rear guide 8b, preferably two rear guides 8b, and the upper plate 4 includes at least two pins 7, which can slide in the at least one front guide 8a and the at least one rear guide 8b respectively.

[0071] In other words, the lower plate 3 and the upper plate 4 comprise coupling means slidable relative to one another, which constrain the upper plate 4 to rotate relative to the lower plate 3 along a circumferential arcuate trajectory limited by the extension of the front guides 8a and the rear guides 8b, thereby defining an operational end stroke for the rotation of the upper plate 4. During operation of the support 1, the stroke limits of this arcuate trajectory are defined by the stroke of the actuator of the second movement device 6 (in other words, the stroke limits defined by the front guides 8a and the rear guides 8b are never reached).

[0072] The presence of the front and rear guides 8a, 8b and the associated pins 7 also makes it possible to provide additional fulcrums for the upper plate 4, thus making the structure of the support 1 more stable and durable, in particular during the movements of the upper 3 and lower 4 plates.

[0073] Advantageously, the present invention achieves the proposed objectives, eliminates the drawbacks present in the prior art, and provides the user with a support for a driving simulator having an optimized kinematic mechanism.

[0074] This mechanism is able to effectively simulate all types of motion that a vehicle can perform that it is desired to simulate, in particular with regard to yaw motion.

[0075] Another object of the present invention is a driving simulator 10, such as Figure 7 As shown, it comprises a support 1 having one or more of the above-mentioned features.

[0076] The simulator further comprises a seat 11 mounted on the upper plate 4. Preferably, the seat 11 is integral with the upper plate 4 so as to follow the movement of the upper plate 4.

[0077] Preferably, the seat 11 is provided at a position opposite to the first movement means 5 with respect to the central portion 4 a .

[0078] In this way, as has already been shown, it is also possible to realistically replicate the feeling of weight that arises in the vehicle due to the presence of the engine.

[0079] The simulator 10 also includes at least one input / output peripheral device, at least one of which is: a steering wheel 12 , pedals 13 , a gearbox, or a screen 14 .

[0080] In particular, the screen 14 may be part of the simulator 10 , or the simulator may comprise appropriate interface means allowing it to be connected to an external screen not included in the simulator 10 .

[0081] Further, the simulator 10 includes a computer configured to generate and display a simulated driving environment and enable a user to use a simulated vehicle in the simulated driving environment by using at least one input / output peripheral device.

[0082] In particular, the computer is configured to selectively activate the first motion device 5 and the second motion device 6 based on at least one of user input provided through at least one input / output peripheral device, a simulated driving environment, and characteristics of a simulated vehicle.

[0083] In this way, the first motion device 5 and the second motion device 6 act respectively on the lower plate 3 to reproduce the pitch and roll motions of the vehicle, and on the upper plate 4 to reproduce the yaw motion.

[0084] Advantageously, the simulator 10 presented herein is more precise than systems disclosed in the prior art, providing increasingly accurate and realistic simulations due to its support 1 .

Claims

1. A support for a driving simulator, comprising: - support (2); - a lower plate (3) having a front portion (3b) and a rear portion (3a) coupled to the support (2); - first movement means (5) interposed between the support (2) and the front portion (3b) of the lower plate (3), configured to move the lower plate (3) relative to the support (2) according to a pitch movement and / or a rolling movement; - an upper plate (4) arranged vertically above the lower plate (3) and having a central portion (4a) coupled to the lower plate (3); and - a second motion device (6) interposed between the lower plate (3) and the upper plate (4) and configured to move the upper plate (4) relative to the lower plate (3) according to a yaw movement; wherein the first motion device (5) comprises a pair of actuators acting on respective opposite sides of the front portion (3b) and selectively activated to raise or lower the respective opposite sides, thereby causing pitching and / or rolling motion of the lower plate (3); The first motion device (5) comprises a pair of linear actuators (P) acting on respective opposite sides of the front portion (3b); The pair of linear actuators (P) are connected to the lower plate (3) via corresponding connecting devices, each of the connecting devices comprising a vertical arm (5a) and a connecting arm (5b), the vertical arm (5a) being arranged parallel to the corresponding linear actuator (P) and fixed to one side of the lower plate (3), and the connecting arm (5b) being placed between the corresponding linear actuator (P) and the vertical arm (5a); The connecting arm (5b) has a first end coupled to the corresponding linear actuator (P) and a second end pivoted at a fixed position, and the vertical arm (5a) is coupled to the connecting arm (5b) between the first end and the second end.

2. Support according to claim 1, wherein the first movement means (5) comprises a vertically extending linear guide (5c), and the front part (3b) comprises a pin (7a) slidable in the linear guide (5c).

3. Support according to claim 1, wherein the linear actuator (P) is a stepper motor.

4. The support according to claim 1, comprising a ball bearing (C) configured to rotationally couple the upper plate (4) with the lower plate (3), the ball bearing (C) being provided at the central portion (4a).

5. The support according to claim 1, wherein the second movement device (6) is coupled to the front portion (3b) of the lower plate (3) at the first movement device (5).

6. Support according to claim 1, wherein the second motion means (6) comprises an actuator configured to rotate the upper plate (4) relative to the lower plate (3) around the central portion (4a), thereby causing the yaw motion.

7. A support according to claim 1, wherein the lower plate (3) comprises at least one front guide (8a), and at least one rear guide (8b), and the upper plate (4) comprises at least two pins (7), which are slidable in the at least one front guide (8a) and the at least one rear guide (8b), respectively.

8. Support according to claim 7, wherein the lower plate (3) comprises two front guides (8a).

9. Support according to claim 7, wherein the lower plate (3) comprises two rear guides (8b).

10. A support according to claim 1, wherein the rear portion (3a) is coupled to the support (2) by a joint (G), which enables the lower plate (3) to move relative to the support (2) around a pivot axis defined by the joint (G).

11. The support according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate (4) is configured to accommodate at least one input / output peripheral device of a driving simulator.

12. Support according to claim 1, wherein said lower plate (3) and said support (2) define a housing (V) suitable for receiving one or more electronic components of a driving simulator.

13. Support according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first movement device (5) is arranged beyond the front portion (3b) of the lower plate (3) relative to a plane defined by the lower plate (3).

14. A driving simulator comprising: - a support (1) for a driving simulator according to any one of claims 1 to 13, - a seat (11) mounted on the upper plate (4) and integral with the upper plate (4) so ​​as to follow the movement of the upper plate (4); - at least one input / output peripheral device; and - a computer configured to generate and display a simulated driving environment to a user, and to enable the user to use a simulated vehicle in the simulated driving environment by using the at least one input / output peripheral device.

15. The driving simulator according to claim 14, wherein the at least one input / output peripheral device comprises at least one of the following: a steering wheel (12), foot pedals (13), a gear box, a screen (14).

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