Hypergravity Facility

Abstract

To provide an excessive gravity facility that easily ensures freedom of movement for users under excessive gravity. [Solution] The hypergravity facility 1 is an hypergravity facility that generates an artificial gravity F on Earth that is greater than the Earth's gravity. It is equipped with a rotating body 5 that rotates around a vertical rotation axis A, and generates artificial gravity F on a floor surface 10 inside the rotating body 5 as a result of the combined force of the Earth's gravity F1 and the centrifugal force F2 due to the rotation of the rotating body 5. In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis A, the floor surface 10 extends along a circle centered on the rotation axis A, and in a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis A, the floor surface 10 forms a curve that bulges outward.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hypergravity facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a technique in this field, a hypergravity environment imparting training device described in Patent Document 1 below is known. This device includes a turntable that rotates around a rotation axis, and multiple hypergravity chambers provided on the turntable. A training room is provided in the hypergravity chamber, and the inclination of the floor of the training room can be adjusted by an angle adjustment device. The combined force of gravity and centrifugal force due to the rotation of the turntable and the hypergravity chamber is generated in the training room as artificial gravity, and the inclination of the floor is adjusted so that this artificial gravity is applied perpendicularly to the floor of the training room. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-187782 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the structure of this device, it is difficult to ensure a space for users to exercise freely. For example, in the case of training aimed at improving the bone density of users, it is desirable for the users to not only be in hypergravity but also to perform large movements such as walking, jumping, and climbing stairs under hypergravity. However, with the structure of this device, there is a limit to the expansion of the space of the training room, making it difficult to ensure sufficient space as described above. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a hypergravity facility that easily ensures the freedom of movement of users under hypergravity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The gist of the present invention lies in the following [1] to [8].

[0006] [1] An excessive gravity facility that generates an artificial gravity on the Earth that is greater than the gravity of the Earth, comprising a rotor that rotates around a vertical axis of rotation, and generates the artificial gravity on a base surface inside the rotor as a result of a combined force of the gravity of the Earth and a centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotor, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the base surface extends along a circle centered on the axis of rotation, and in a cross-sectional view including the axis of rotation, the base surface forms a curve that bulges outward.

[0007] The in-plane direction of the foundation plane that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction of rotation is referred to below as the "meridional direction". With this hypergravity facility, the length of the foundation plane in the circumferential direction of rotation and the width of the foundation plane in the meridional direction are ensured, thereby ensuring the freedom of movement of users on the foundation plane under hypergravity. However, when a user moves in the meridian direction on the foundation plane, the intersection angle between the foundation plane and the artificial gravity may vary. In contrast, in the hypergravity facility described above in [1], the foundation plane is curved to bulge outward in a cross section including the axis of rotation, so that the variation in the intersection angle between the foundation plane and the artificial gravity when moving in the meridian direction is reduced.

[0008] [2] The excessive gravity facility described in [2], wherein the foundation surface is at least a part of a paraboloid of revolution formed by rotating a parabola around the rotation axis.

[0009] In this case, due to the nature of the paraboloid of revolution, there exists a special rotation number for the rotating body that can simultaneously obtain artificial gravity perpendicular to the base surface at all points on the base surface. In other words, by appropriately selecting the rotation number of the rotating body, it is possible to set it so that artificial gravity perpendicular to the base surface can be obtained simultaneously at all points on the base surface. With such a setting, all users on the base surface can stand upright with the up-down direction of their bodies perpendicular to the base surface. Therefore, all users can move naturally on the base surface in the same way as on a horizontal surface on the ground. In this way, a hypergravity environment that enables natural movement can be provided to a large number of users at the same time.

[0010] Furthermore, even when the user moves relatively far on the base surface, the artificial gravity is always maintained perpendicular to the base surface. Therefore, the base surface appears horizontal to the user, and the user can move naturally in the same way as on a horizontal surface on the ground. Furthermore, if the user moves in a meridian direction on the base surface, the magnitude of the artificial gravity at the location where the user is staying changes. Therefore, the user can adjust the magnitude of the artificial gravity acting on him / herself by the simple method of moving in a meridian direction on the base surface.

[0011] [3] The hypergravity facility described in [2], wherein the height from the bottom of the paraboloid of revolution to the focus is p [m] and the gravitational acceleration of the Earth is G [m / s2], the rotation speed Ns [rpm] of the rotor is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0012]

number

[0013] By setting the rotation speed of the rotating body to the rotation speed expressed by the above formula (1), it is possible to obtain artificial gravity perpendicular to the base surface simultaneously at all points on the base surface.

[0014] [4] A hypergravity facility as described in any one of [1] to [3], comprising: a moving body that moves around the outside of the rotating body in the rotational direction of the rotating body; and an entry / exit section that is installed on the rotating body and is capable of moving entering persons or items brought in from the moving body to the inside of the rotating body through the foundation surface, and is capable of moving leaving persons and items brought out that have moved from the inside of the rotating body to the outside through the foundation surface onto the moving body.

[0015] [5] The hypergravity facility described in [4], wherein the moving body is a vehicle that moves in the circumferential direction of the rotating body on a running path that is immobile relative to the Earth and located outside the rotating body, the running path in a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis has a shape that moves away from the rotation axis in the rotation radial direction the higher it goes, a tangent to a lower end of the running path in the cross-sectional view is approximately horizontal, and a tangent to an upper end of the running path in the cross-sectional view is approximately perpendicular to the direction of the resultant force of the centrifugal force acting on the moving body and the gravity of the Earth when the angular velocity of the moving body at the upper end is equal to the angular velocity of the rotating body.

[0016] [6] An excessive gravity facility as described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein a plurality of partition walls are provided on the foundation surface, rising in the direction of the artificial gravity and dividing the foundation surface in a meridian direction, and when viewed from the direction of the artificial gravity, the partition walls are configured by a portion extending in the circumferential direction of the rotating body and a portion extending in the meridian direction being connected together, and each area divided by the partition walls is configured by an alternating series of wide room portions in the meridian direction and connecting passages connecting the room portions to each other in the circumferential direction of rotation.

[0017] [7] The hypergravity facility described in [6], wherein the portion of the partition wall extending in the meridian direction is provided with an entrance / exit that enables movement between adjacent areas.

[0018] [8] The excessive gravity facility described in any one of [1] to [7], wherein the base surface is at least a part of a sphere having a center on the rotation axis. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excessive gravity facility that easily ensures freedom of movement for users under excessive gravity conditions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the exterior of the hypergravity facility according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the hypergravity facility taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. [Diagram 2] This is a cross-sectional view of an excessive gravity facility taken along a plane including the axis of rotation. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13(a) is a side view showing another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism for a rotating body, and (b) is a side view showing yet another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism for a rotating body. [Figure 4] 1A is a cross-sectional view of the transportation facility taken along a plane including the axis of rotation, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the same. [Diagram 5] 5(a) to 5(c) are cross-sectional views sequentially showing the operation of the transportation facility. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are cross-sectional views sequentially illustrating the operation of the transportation facility following FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 13(a) and 13(b) are cross-sectional views showing another example of the transportation facility. [Figure 8] FIG. 13(a) is a diagram showing a connecting road for vehicles to travel between rotating bodies, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing still another example of a transportation facility. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the partition walls that divide the training area. [Figure 10] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the excessive gravity facility of the second embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. FIG. [Figure 11] (a) is a diagram showing an elevator installed at the bottom of the floor, (b) is a perspective view showing another example of the floor shape, and (c) is a perspective view showing yet another example of the floor shape. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a multi-storey building provided on a floor surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the hypergravity facility according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the features of the components of the hypergravity facility may be exaggerated, and the shapes and dimensional ratios of the components do not necessarily match between the drawings. The same or equivalent components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted.

[0022] [First embodiment] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the exterior of the hypergravity facility 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of the hypergravity facility 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis A. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hypergravity facility 1 taken along a plane including the rotation axis A. The hypergravity facility 1 is constructed on the Earth and generates an artificial gravity F greater than the gravity of the Earth to provide a hypergravity environment to a user Q. Such hypergravity facilities 1 can be used for various purposes, but the hypergravity facility 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, as a training facility that provides a training environment under hypergravity to a user Q such as an athlete. By training under hypergravity, an athlete can train parts of the body that cannot be trained under normal gravity, for example.

[0023] The hypergravity facility 1 has a base 3 built on the ground and immovable relative to the ground, and a hollow rotor 5 rotatably supported on the base 3. The rotor 5 rotates relative to the base 3 around a vertical axis of rotation A. In the hypergravity facility 1, artificial gravity F is generated on the inner wall surface 7 of the rotor 5 as a result of the combined force of the earth's gravity F1 and the centrifugal force F2 caused by the rotation of the rotor 5. The inner wall surface 7 functions as an artificial ground, and the upper surface of this inner wall surface 7 is a training ground 9 for users Q. In other words, the inner wall surface 7 constitutes the floor surface 10 (base surface) of the training ground 9. In the hypergravity facility 1, an hypergravity environment due to artificial gravity F is simultaneously provided to a large number of users Q staying at various points in the training ground 9.

[0024] In the following description, when the terms "axial direction," "radial direction," and "circumferential direction" are used simply, they refer to the axial direction (direction of the rotation axis A), the radial direction, and the circumferential direction of the rotating body 5. In addition, among the in-plane directions of the floor surface 10, the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction is referred to as the "meridional direction." In other words, the meridional direction is the direction in which the floor surface 10 extends in the cross-sectional view of a cross section including the rotation axis A (FIG. 2).

[0025] The shape of the floor surface 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, in a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis A, the floor surface 10 forms a curve that bulges outward. Also, as shown in Fig. 1(b), in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis A, the floor surface 10 forms a circle centered on the rotation axis A.

[0026] More specifically, the floor surface 10 has a paraboloid of revolution. In more detail, in a cross-sectional view (FIG. 2) including the axis of rotation A, when considering an xy coordinate system in which the bottom of the floor surface 10 is the origin O, the axis of rotation A is the y-axis, and the x-axis is horizontal, the cross section of the floor surface 10 is as follows: y=(1 / 4p)·x 2 …(a) Here, p [m] is the y coordinate of the focus P of the parabola. The floor surface 10 forms a paraboloid of revolution formed by rotating the parabola expressed by the above formula (a) around the y axis.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the entire rotating body 5 is provided in a shape that follows the above-mentioned paraboloid of revolution with a substantially uniform thickness. However, this is not limited to this, and the entire rotating body 5 may have any shape as long as the inner wall surface 7 (floor surface 10) forms a paraboloid of revolution. A roof portion 11 is provided at the upper end of the rotating body 5 to cover the circular opening at the upper end of the rotating body 5.

[0028] An example of the size of the rotating body 5 will be described. In the rotating body 5 of this embodiment, the height p of the focal point P is 50 m with respect to the bottom (origin O) of the floor surface 10. Then, according to formula (a), the rotation radius of the floor surface 10 at the position of the height of the focal point P is 100 m. The total height of the rotating body 5 with respect to the origin O is determined according to the required maximum artificial gravity F, and is, for example, 300 m. Then, according to formula (a), the rotation radius of the floor surface 10 at the upper end of the rotating body 5 is 245 m.

[0029] The rotation speed [rpm] of the rotating body 5 will be described. As described above, the floor surface 10 of the rotating body 5 forms a paraboloid of revolution, and due to the properties of the paraboloid of revolution, there exists a special rotation speed Ns [rpm] that allows artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 to be obtained simultaneously at all points on the floor surface 10. Such a rotation speed Ns can be calculated as follows.

[0030] Now consider an arbitrary point J on the floor surface 10, and let the x-coordinate of this point J be j [m]. Differentiating equation (a), we get y'=x / 2p …(b) Therefore, the slope y'(j) of the tangent to the floor surface 10 at point J is y'(j)=j / 2p …(c) It is. Also, the gravitational acceleration of the Earth is G [m / s 2 ], then the gravity F1 of the Earth acting on any mass m at point J is F1 = mG …(d) It is. In addition, if the angular velocity of the rotating body 5 is ω [rad / s], the centrifugal force F2 acting on an arbitrary mass m at point J due to this rotation is F2=mjω 2 …(e) It is. And the artificial gravity F at point J, which is the resultant force of the gravity F1 and the centrifugal force F2, is F = √(F1 2 +F2 2 ) …(f) It is.

[0031] In order to obtain the artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 at the point J, the direction of the resultant force of the gravity F1 (vertical direction) and the centrifugal force F2 (horizontal direction) must be perpendicular to the inclination y'(j) of the tangent line of the floor surface 10 at the point J. The condition is as follows: F2 / F1=y'(j) …(g) It is. By substituting equations (c), (d), and (e) into equation (g), the above condition is as follows: mjω 2 / mG=j / 2p …(h) If we solve this for ω, we get ω=√(G / 2p) …(i) In this way, we obtain an angular velocity ω that is independent of j, and this angular velocity ω corresponds to the rotation speed Ns. If we convert this angular velocity ω [rad / s] to the rotation speed Ns [rpm], the rotation speed Ns can be expressed as the following equation (1).

[0032]

number

[0033] In the hypergravity facility 1 of this embodiment, the rotor 5 rotates at a rotation speed Ns [rpm] expressed by the above formula (1). As described above, p = 50 [m], and therefore, from formula (1), the rotation speed of the rotor 5 is approximately 3 [rpm]. By such rotation of the rotor 5, as described above, artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 is obtained simultaneously at all points on the floor surface 10.

[0034] An example of a support mechanism and a rotation mechanism for supporting and rotating the rotating body 5 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, a large number of rotation drive units 13 for supporting and rotating the rotating body 5 are provided on the base unit 3. Each rotation drive unit 13 has, for example, a roller 15 that rotates horizontally, and the outer circumferential surface of the roller 15 abuts against the outer wall surface of the rotating body 5. With this configuration, each roller 15 is rotated by a predetermined power source (not shown), and the rotation of each roller is transmitted to the rotating body 5, causing the rotating body 5 to rotate about the rotation axis A.

[0035] FIG. 3(a) shows another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism for the rotor 5. In this example, a support structure 17 fixed to the ground is located above the rotor 5 and roof 11. The upper end of a wire 18 is attached to the support structure 17 at a position on the rotation axis A, and the rotor 5 and roof 11 are suspended and supported by the support structure 17 via the wire 18. A rotation drive unit 19 is provided at the connection between the support structure 17 and the wire 18, and the rotation drive unit 19 rotates the wire 18, the rotor 5, and the roof 11 horizontally. In addition, a guide roller 14 is provided on the base 3 in contact with the outer wall surface of the rotor, and the guide roller 14 guides the horizontal rotation of the rotor 5.

[0036] FIG. 3(b) shows yet another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism of the rotor 5. In this example, a liquid 16 (e.g., water) is filled between the lower part of the rotor 5 and the base 3, and part of the weight of the rotor 5 is supported by the buoyancy of the liquid 16. The rotor 5 rotates around the rotation axis A by driving the rotation drive unit 13. The presence of the liquid 16 reduces friction between the rotor 5 and the base 3, and also makes it difficult for vibrations from the ground to be transmitted to the rotor 5 during an earthquake, thereby providing a seismic isolation effect for the rotor 5. Instead of the liquid 16, ice (solid water) may be filled between the lower part of the rotor 5 and the base 3.

[0037] In addition, the support mechanism and rotation mechanism for the rotor 5 may employ, for example, a rail-type train or linear traveling system, a disk-type rotation system, etc. In order to reduce friction between the rotor 5 and the base 3, bearing technology, tandem superconducting electricity storage technology, magnetic levitation technology using electromagnetic induction of the moving body, etc. may be employed.

[0038] The effects of the above-mentioned hypergravity facility 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. According to the hypergravity facility 1, the floor surface 10 forms a paraboloid of revolution, and the rotor 5 rotates at a rotation speed Ns expressed by formula (1), so that artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 is obtained simultaneously at all points in the training area 9. That is, all users Q in the training area 9 can stand upright with the up-down direction of their bodies perpendicular to the floor surface 10. Therefore, all users Q can move naturally in the same way as on a horizontal surface on the ground. In this way, a hypergravity training environment that enables natural movements can be provided to a large number of users Q simultaneously.

[0039] Furthermore, since the floor surface 10 spreads flatly in the in-plane direction, the user Q can move relatively widely in the apparent horizontal direction (in-plane direction of the floor surface 10) within the training area 9. Furthermore, it is easy to secure a relatively wide space in the apparent vertical direction (the direction of artificial gravity F) within the training area 9. Therefore, the freedom of movement of the user Q under excessive gravity is secured. In other words, the user Q can also perform training under excessive gravity that involves relatively large movements in three dimensions. In this way, since the user Q can move relatively freely in three dimensions, an environment that provides a high training effect under excessive gravity can be provided to the user Q.

[0040] In addition, since the artificial gravity F is perpendicular to the floor surface 10 at all points in the training area 9, even when the user Q moves relatively far within the training area 9 during training, the artificial gravity F is always maintained in a state where it is perpendicular to the floor surface 10. Therefore, even when performing training involving relatively far movement, the floor surface 10 appears to be a horizontal surface from the perspective of the user Q, and the user Q can move naturally in the same way as on a horizontal surface on the ground.

[0041] As can be seen from the above formulas (d), (e), and (f), the magnitude of the artificial gravity F on the floor surface 10 depends on the x-coordinate (radius of rotation) of that point. That is, the higher the position is based on the origin O, the greater the artificial gravity F is, and the lower the position is, the smaller the artificial gravity F is. Therefore, if the user Q moves in the meridian direction within the training field 9, the magnitude of the artificial gravity F at the place where the user Q is staying changes. Therefore, the user Q can adjust the magnitude of the artificial gravity F acting on him / herself by a simple method such as moving in the meridian direction within the training field 9 by walking, for example. On the other hand, when the user Q moves in the circumferential direction within the training field 9, the magnitude of the artificial gravity F does not change. Therefore, the user Q can perform training involving a large movement in the circumferential direction without changing the magnitude of the artificial gravity F acting on him / herself.

[0042] Next, the transport facility for allowing the user Q to enter and exit the training ground 9 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the transport facility 20 taken along a plane including the rotation axis A, and Fig. 4(b) is a plan view of the transport facility 20. Figs. 5(a) to (c) and Figs. 6(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views sequentially showing the operation of the transport facility 20. In this hypergravity facility 1, when many users Q are using the training ground 9, it is necessary to allow some of the users Q to enter and exit without stopping the rotation of the rotating body 5. For this reason, the hypergravity facility 1 is equipped with the transport facility 20 for transporting the users Q from the pedestal 3 on the ground to the rotating training ground 9 and in the reverse direction. The transport facility 20 is equipped with an elevator 21 (entrance / exit section) provided on the rotating body 5, a running track 23 provided on the outside of the rotating body 5, and a vehicle 25 running on the running track 23 in a circumferential direction. Note that the transport facility 20 is omitted from Figs. 1 to 3.

[0043] The elevator 21 is constructed on the wall of the rotor 5 at a predetermined height position of the rotor 5, and rotates in the circumferential direction with the rotation of the rotor 5. The elevator 21 has an elevator shaft 21a that penetrates the floor surface 10 vertically. The shaft 21a extends in the direction of the artificial gravity F at that point. The elevator 21 also has a transfer entrance 21b located outside the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 5, and an entrance / exit 21c located inside the floor surface 10. An elevator car 21d, which is a box body for carrying a user Q and luggage, is installed in the shaft 21a. The car 21d moves back and forth in the shaft 21a between the transfer entrance 21b and the entrance / exit 21c. With this configuration, the elevator 21 can move the user Q and luggage between the transfer entrance 21b and the floor surface 10 in the direction of the artificial gravity F, penetrating the floor surface 10.

[0044] The runway 23 is constructed on the base 3 and is immovable relative to the earth's ground. The runway 23 extends circumferentially along the outer wall surface of the rotor 5 at a position slightly lower than the transfer entrance 21b of the elevator 21, and does not interfere with the rotating elevator 21. In a plan view (FIG. 4(b)), the runway 23 forms a ring shape surrounding the rotor 5. In a cross-sectional view (FIG. 4(a)) including the rotation axis A, the runway 23 forms a curved shape that radially moves away from the rotation axis A as it goes up, and bulges outward in the radial direction. The upper end 23a of the runway 23 is adjacent to the rotation track of the transfer entrance 21b of the elevator 21.

[0045] In a cross-sectional view (FIG. 4(a)) including the axis of rotation A, a tangent to the lower end of the running path 23 is substantially horizontal, and a boarding and disembarking station 3a for a user Q to board and disembark the vehicle 25 is provided at the lower end. The inclination of the tangent to the upper end 23a of the running path 23 is as follows. In a cross-sectional view (FIG. 4(a)) including the axis of rotation A, a tangent to the upper end 23a of the running path 23 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the resultant force of the centrifugal force acting on the vehicle 25 and the gravity of the earth when the angular velocity of the vehicle 25 at the upper end 23a is equal to the angular velocity of the rotor 5. That is, when the vehicle 25 runs in the circumferential direction on the running path 23, the apparent gravity acts on the vehicle 25 as the resultant force of the centrifugal force due to the turning around the axis of rotation A and the gravity of the earth. Then, consider a case where the running position of the vehicle 25 in the vehicle width direction is the upper end 23a of the running path 23, and the angular velocity of the turning of the vehicle 25 is equal to the angular velocity of the rotor 5. The runway 23 is designed so that a tangent to the upper end 23a of the runway 23 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the apparent gravity at this time.

[0046] It is to be noted that the difference in position between elevator 21 and runway 23 may be considered to be negligibly small compared to the size of rotating body 5, and the above-mentioned apparent gravity acting on car 25 may be considered to be the same as artificial gravity F in the vicinity of elevator 21. In that case, in a cross-sectional view including rotation axis A (FIG. 4(a)), the tangent to upper end 23a of runway 23 may be considered to be approximately perpendicular to artificial gravity F in the vicinity of elevator 21, and the road surface of upper end 23a of runway 23 may be considered to be approximately parallel to floor surface 10 in the vicinity of elevator 21.

[0047] The vehicle 25 (mobile body) travels in a circumferential direction on the track 23, traveling between the boarding / disembarking area 3a and the transfer gate 21b on the base 3. The vehicle 25 transports a user Q who is entering the training area 9 from the ground (base 3) from the boarding / disembarking area 3a to the transfer gate 21b, and transports a user Q who is leaving the training area 9 and returning to the ground (base 3) from the transfer gate 21b to the boarding / disembarking area 3a.

[0048] The operation of the transportation facility 20 will be described. The procedure for allowing a user Q on the ground (pedestal 3) to enter the training ground 9 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the user Q (entrant) gets into the vehicle 25 parked at the boarding / disembarking area 3a on the pedestal 3. After that, the vehicle 25 starts and accelerates while traveling in a circumferential direction on the running path 23. As the vehicle 25 accelerates, the position of the vehicle 25 in the vehicle width direction gradually rises toward the upper end 23a of the running path 23 as shown in FIG. 5(b). That is, strictly speaking, the vehicle 25 travels on the running path 23 in a spiral trajectory centered on the rotation axis A. After that, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the vehicle 25 reaches the upper end 23a of the running path 23, and is adjusted in position and speed so as to be adjacent to the transfer entrance 21b of the rotating elevator 21 and to make the relative speed with respect to the transfer entrance 21b zero.

[0049] In the state where the position and speed are adjusted as described above, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the vehicle 25 is located adjacent to the car 21d waiting at the transfer gate 21b in the meridian direction and is located immediately nearby. In this state, the user Q gets off the vehicle 25 and transfers to the car 21d. After that, the car 21d moves to the entrance 21c through the floor surface 10 as shown in FIG. 6(b). Then, the user Q gets off the car 21d at the entrance 21c and stands on the floor surface 10 as shown in FIG. 6(c), thereby entering the training ground 9.

[0050] Also, by reversing the above procedure, the user Q in the training ground 9 can be exited and returned to the boarding / alighting station 3a of the base unit 3. That is, the user Q (exiting person) in the training ground 9 gets into the cage 21d waiting at the entrance / exit 21c, and the cage 21d moves to the transfer gate 21b. At this time, the vehicle 25 is adjacent to the transfer gate 21b and is traveling on the upper end 23a of the running path 23 with a relative speed of zero with respect to the transfer gate 21b. The user Q gets off the cage 21d and transfers to the vehicle 25. The vehicle 25 then decelerates while traveling in the circumferential direction on the running path 23, and the position of the vehicle 25 in the vehicle width direction gradually descends toward the height of the boarding / alighting station 3a. Then, when the vehicle 25 arrives at the boarding / alighting station 3a and stops, the user Q gets off the vehicle 25 onto the base unit 3.

[0051] According to the transportation facility 20 as described above, the user Q can enter and exit the training ground 9 without stopping the rotation of the rotor 5. At this time, it is safe because the user Q gets on and off at the boarding and alighting station 3a while the vehicle 25 is stopped. Also, it is safe because the user Q transfers at the transfer gate 21b while the vehicle 25 and the elevator 21 are stopped relatively to each other.

[0052] 5(b), the vehicle 25 gradually changes its posture during acceleration and deceleration on the travel path 23 from the direction of gravity (earth's gravity F1 or artificial gravity F) at the boarding location to the direction of gravity (artificial gravity F or earth's gravity F1) at the disembarking location. Therefore, when boarding and disembarking the vehicle 25, the user Q can get on and off the vehicle 25 with the same sensation as on a horizontal plane on the ground. For example, when transferring at the transfer gate 21b, the vehicle 25 is in a posture with the vertical direction of the vehicle body facing the direction of artificial gravity F, and the user Q can transfer between the vehicle 25 and the cage 21d adjacent in the meridian direction with the same sensation as on a horizontal plane on the ground.

[0053] In addition, at the boarding / disembarking station 3a at the lower end of the running path 23, the tangent line of the running path 23 is approximately horizontal, so that almost no force is generated in the direction that the vehicle 25 stopped at the boarding / disembarking station 3a slides sideways on the running path 23. In addition, at the upper end 23a of the running path 23, the apparent gravity acting on the vehicle 25 is approximately perpendicular to the tangent line of the running path 23, so that almost no force is generated in the direction that the vehicle 25 slides sideways on the running path 23. In addition, in a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis A (FIG. 4(a)), the running path 23 has a shape that moves away from the rotation axis A in the radial direction as it goes up, and has a curved shape that bulges outward in the radial direction. Therefore, as the vehicle 25 accelerates, the running position in the vehicle width direction on the running path 23 can gradually move toward the upper end 23a, and as the vehicle decelerates, the running position in the vehicle width direction on the running path 23 can gradually move toward the boarding / disembarking station 3a. In this way, the vehicle 25 can travel safely on the travel path 23, so that the transportation facility 20 can be operated safely and the user Q can be transported safely.

[0054] In addition, rails or the like for running vehicle 25 may be provided on runway 23. In addition, a gripping device (not shown) for gripping and fixing vehicle 25 may be provided near transfer entrance 21b of elevator 21. In this case, when the relative speed between vehicle 25 and transfer entrance 21b becomes zero (FIG. 5(c)), vehicle 25 may be gripped by the gripping device and fixed to elevator 21. This allows user Q to transfer more safely. In addition, vehicle 25 does not need to run on runway 23 by itself during transfer, etc.

[0055] Also, instead of the elevator 21, for example, a staircase may be provided connecting the transfer gate 21b and the entrance / exit 21c. In this case, the user Q can walk between the transfer gate 21b and the entrance / exit 21c by ascending and descending the staircase. Also, a part of the travel path between the transfer gate 21b and the entrance / exit 21c may be traveled by elevator 21, and the rest may be traveled by stairs.

[0056] Also, instead of the transportation facility 20 as described above, a transportation facility 24 as shown in FIG. 7(a) may be adopted. The transportation facility 24 includes a running path 27 and a vehicle 29 instead of the running path 23 and the vehicle 25 in the transportation facility 20. The running path 27 is provided on the base 3 and extends in the circumferential direction along the outer wall surface of the rotating body 5 at a position immediately below the transfer gate 21b of the elevator 21. The road surface of the running path 27 is generally horizontal over the entirety. The vehicle 29 runs in the circumferential direction on the running path 27 and does not interfere with the rotating elevator 21. The inclination of the floor 29a of the vehicle 29 is variable. That is, the floor 29a is inclined by a predetermined actuator so as to generate a height difference in the vehicle width direction, and the magnitude of this inclination is adjustable.

[0057] Such a transportation facility 24 also allows the user Q to transfer safely at the transfer gate 21b. That is, when the vehicle 29 carrying the user Q heading for the training ground 9 accelerates on the base 3, the floor 29a gradually tilts in a direction raising the outer periphery side by driving the actuator. After that, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the vehicle 29 and the transfer gate 21b are adjacent to each other and the relative speed becomes zero, the floor 29a of the vehicle 29 becomes perpendicular to the artificial gravity F at that point. In this state, the user Q gets off the vehicle 29 and transfers to the cage 21d. Therefore, the user Q can transfer from the state of standing on the floor 29a perpendicular to the artificial gravity F to the cage 21d with the same feeling as if he / she were standing on a horizontal plane on the ground. Also, by performing the reverse procedure, the user Q heading from the training ground 9 to the ground can safely transfer from the cage 21d to the vehicle 29.

[0058] Using the transportation facilities 20, 24, not only the movement of user Q as described above can be carried out, but also the movement of incoming items brought into the training area 9 from the ground and the movement of outgoing items brought out from the training area 9 to the ground can be carried out in a similar procedure.

[0059] 8(a), if there are multiple rotors 5, a connecting path 31 may be provided to allow vehicles 29 to travel between them. The connecting path 31 has a running path 27 (referred to as running path 27A) provided around one rotor 5 (referred to as running path 5A), a running path 27 (referred to as running path 27B) provided around the other rotor 5 (referred to as running path 5B), and a connecting path 33 connecting the running paths 27A and 27B. The connecting path 33 may pass through a position lower than the running paths 27A and 27B as in the example shown in the figure.

[0060] The operation of this connecting path 31 and vehicle 29 is as follows. First, vehicle 29 travels on runway 27A at zero relative speed approaching elevator 21 of rotating body 5A to pick up user Q from rotating body 5A. After user Q transfers from car 21d of elevator 21 (see FIG. 7) to this vehicle 29, vehicle 29 leaves runway 27A and enters connecting path 33. After that, vehicle 29 enters runway 27B from connecting path 33 and adjusts its position and speed on runway 27B. Then, when vehicle 29 approaches elevator 21 of rotating body 5B and the relative speed becomes zero, user Q transfers from this vehicle 29 to car 21d of elevator 21 of rotating body 5B (see FIG. 7).

[0061] According to such an operation, the kinetic energy of the vehicle 29 turning together with the rotating body 5A when the user Q gets on can be effectively used as the kinetic energy for turning together with the rotating body 5B when the user Q gets off. Therefore, it is only necessary to supply the vehicle 29 with the energy equivalent to the loss due to air resistance, friction, etc., thereby achieving energy saving. The shape of the connecting path 33 and the running paths 27A, 27B in a plan view may be a spiral shape. Furthermore, a xoloid curve or the like may be adopted for the shape of the connecting path 33 and the running paths 27A, 27B in a plan view.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the landing 3a on the base 3 may be provided at a higher position than the runway 27. In this case, the height of the landing 3a based on the bottom (origin O) of the floor surface 10 is about twice the height of the runway 27. The landing 3a is connected to the runway 27 via the acceleration / deceleration path 35. In this case, after the user Q gets on the vehicle 29 that stops at the landing 3a, the starting vehicle 29 accelerates due to the downward gradient of the acceleration / deceleration path 35 and enters the runway 27. Thereafter, the vehicle 29 adjusts its position and speed on the runway 27, and when the vehicle 29 approaches the elevator 21 and the relative speed becomes zero, the user Q transfers from the vehicle 29 to the cage 21d of the elevator 21 (see FIG. 7). Also, the user Q can be moved from the training area 9 to the landing 3a by reversing the above procedure.

[0063] In this case, when the vehicle 29 moves from the landing 3a to the running path 27, the vehicle 29 is accelerated by utilizing the height difference, and when the vehicle 29 moves from the running path 27 to the landing 3a, the vehicle 29 is decelerated by utilizing the height difference. Here, according to calculations by the inventors, when the height of the landing 3a is about twice the height of the running path 27, theoretically, the potential energy of the vehicle 29 due to the height difference between the landing 3a and the running path 27 is equal to the kinetic energy of the vehicle 29 corresponding to the circumferential speed of the rotating elevator 21. Therefore, the vehicle 29 can travel back and forth between the landing 3a and the running path 27 by alternately converting potential energy and kinetic energy. Therefore, it is only necessary to supply the vehicle 29 with energy equivalent to the loss due to air resistance, friction, and the like, thereby achieving energy saving. The shape of the acceleration / deceleration path 35 in a plan view may be a spiral shape. In addition, a xoloid curve or the like may be adopted as the shape of the acceleration / deceleration path 35 in a plan view.

[0064] Next, a configuration for dividing the training ground 9 into a plurality of training areas 41 with different artificial gravity F will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the training ground 9 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 10, with the up-down direction of the figure being the meridian direction and the left-right direction of the figure being the circumferential direction. The floor surface 10 is provided with a plurality of partition walls 43 rising in the direction of the artificial gravity F (a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 10). The partition wall 43 illustrated in FIG. 9 is configured in a zigzag shape with circumferential portions 43a extending in the circumferential direction and meridian portions 43b extending in the meridian direction being alternately connected, and the partition wall 43 as a whole extends in the circumferential direction. By providing a plurality of such partition walls 43, the training ground 9 is divided into a plurality of training areas 41 arranged in the meridian direction.

[0065] In addition, one training area 41 sandwiched between two partition walls 43, 43 is configured by alternating room parts 45 wide in the meridian direction and narrow connecting passages 47 connecting the room parts 45 in the circumferential direction. Looking at the three training areas 41A, 41B, 41C arranged in order in the meridian direction, the connecting passage 47 of the training area 41B is formed so as to be sandwiched between the room part 45 of the training area 41A and the room part 45 of the training area 41C. In addition, the room part 45 of the training area 41B is formed so as to be sandwiched between the connecting passage 47 of the training area 41A and the connecting passage 47 of the training area 41C. An openable and closable entrance / exit 49 is formed in a meridian direction part 43b of each partition wall 43, and the user Q can move between the adjacent training areas 41 through the entrance / exit 49.

[0066] According to the above-described configuration of the hypergravity facility 1, even if the rotation of the rotor 5 is decelerated due to an unexpected malfunction or the like, the partition wall 43 prevents the user Q from sliding in the meridian direction along the floor surface 10. To ensure the safety of the user Q in this case, cushioning materials may be provided on the floor surface 10 and the wall surfaces of the partition wall 43 in the training area 41.

[0067] Moreover, the training area 41 is formed relatively long in the circumferential direction by the room portion 45 and the connecting passage 47. Therefore, the user Q in the training area 41 can perform training that involves moving a relatively long distance in the circumferential direction without changing the magnitude of the artificial gravity F acting on the user Q. Moreover, the user Q can adjust the magnitude of the artificial gravity F acting on the user Q by moving in the meridian direction between the training areas 41 through the entrance / exit 49.

[0068] Second Embodiment The floor surface 10 of the rotating body 5 is not limited to a paraboloid of revolution, and may be a part or the whole of a sphere having a center C on the rotation axis A, as shown in FIG. 10. In the hypergravity facility 1B in this embodiment, the floor surface 10 forms a hemisphere, which is the lower half of a sphere. In this case, there is no rotation number at which the artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 can be obtained at all points on the floor surface 10 at the same time. In this rotating body 5, the artificial gravity F becomes perpendicular to the floor surface 10 only at one height position on the floor surface 10, and the height of that position depends on the rotation number of the rotating body 5. All users Q in the training ground 9 will train in the vicinity of this one height position. Also, the faster the rotating body 5 rotates, the higher the position on the floor surface 10 where the perpendicular artificial gravity F is generated becomes, and the greater the artificial gravity F becomes. When changing the magnitude of the artificial gravity F provided to the user Q, the rotation number of the rotating body 5 is changed, and the user Q moves to a point where the artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 is generated. At this time, the magnitude of the artificial gravity F acting on all users Q will be changed simultaneously.

[0069] Even in the hypergravity facility 1B having such a spherical floor surface 10, the floor surface 10 spreads flatly in the in-plane direction, and a relatively wide space can be easily secured in the direction of the artificial gravity F. Therefore, as in the hypergravity facility 1 of the first embodiment, the freedom of movement of the user Q under hypergravity is secured. However, when the user Q moves in the meridian direction in the training field 9, the intersection angle between the artificial gravity F and the floor surface 10 changes depending on the moving distance. If this happens, the floor surface 10 will appear as an inclined surface from the user Q's perspective, making it difficult for the user to move naturally. Therefore, the user Q can move in the meridian direction within a range where the inclination felt by the user Q is acceptable.

[0070] The present invention can be implemented in various forms including the above-described embodiment and various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In addition, it is possible to configure modified examples by utilizing the technical matters described in the above-described embodiment. The configurations of each embodiment may be used in appropriate combination.

[0071] For example, the moving body for transporting the user Q between the base 3 and the transfer gate 21b is not limited to the vehicles 25, 29, but may be an aircraft or other flying object. The floor surface 10 is not limited to a paraboloid of revolution or a sphere, but may be another curved surface of revolution. The above-mentioned "curved surface of revolution" is a three-dimensional surface that is drawn by rotating a curve or straight line in space around a predetermined straight line (axis of revolution). For example, the floor surface 10 may be a conical surface.

[0072] Also, as a facility for allowing the user Q and the like to enter and exit the training ground 9, instead of the above-mentioned transport facilities 20, 24, an elevator 22 provided at the bottom of the floor surface 10 and extending along the rotation axis A may be adopted as shown in FIG. 11(a). The elevator 22 differs from the above-mentioned elevator 21 (FIG. 4) in that it can rotate around its own axis with respect to the rotating body 5. This rotation can reduce the relative rotation speed between the elevator 22 and the base 3 to zero, and the user Q can safely transfer between the base 3 and the cage 22d. In addition, when the user Q transfers between the floor surface 10 and the cage 22d, the rotation of the elevator 22 with respect to the rotating body 5 is stopped. Note that the mechanism for rotating the elevator 22 around its own axis as described above may be omitted. In this case, the elevator 22 always rotates together with the rotor 5 relative to the base 3, and this rotation is relatively slow, for example, at about 3 rpm, so that the user Q can relatively easily transfer between the base 3 and the car 22d at the transfer gate 22b. Also, in addition to the transportation facility 20 or the transportation facility 24, another elevator 22 may be provided.

[0073] In addition, the floor surface 10 of the rotating body 5 in the hypergravity facility 1 does not need to form the entirety of a paraboloid of revolution, and the floor surface 10 may form a part of the paraboloid of revolution. That is, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the floor surface 10 of the rotating body 5 may have a shape obtained by cutting out a part of the axial direction of the paraboloid of revolution, or as shown in FIG. 11(c), it may have a shape obtained by further cutting out a part of the circumferential direction. In addition, in such a floor surface 10, in order to ensure sufficient freedom of movement of the user Q in the training field 9 as described above, it is preferable that the size of the floor surface 10 is 30 m or more in the meridian direction and 30 m or more in the circumferential direction. Similarly, in the hypergravity facility 1B, the floor surface 10 of the rotating body 5 does not need to form the entirety of a sphere, and the floor surface 10 may form a part of a sphere.

[0074] In addition, in the hypergravity facilities 1 and 1B, a multi-story building 51 may be provided on the floor surface 10 as shown in FIG. 12 for the purpose of increasing the capacity of the training ground 9. In the example shown in the figure, the building 51 is four stories tall and is constructed at the position of point K on the floor surface 10. The floor surfaces of each floor of the building 51 are arranged in the vertical direction (direction of the rotation axis A). In addition, the floor surfaces of each floor of the building 51 are parallel to the floor surface 10 at the point K. In other words, the rotation radius and direction of the floor surfaces of each floor are all equal to the rotation radius and direction of the point K. Here, as can be seen from the above-mentioned formulas (d), (e), and (f), the magnitude and direction of the artificial gravity F depend on the x-coordinate (rotation radius) of the point, so the magnitude and direction of the artificial gravity F generated on the floor surface of each floor of the building 51 are the same as the artificial gravity F on the floor surface 10 at the point K. Therefore, on the floor surface of each floor, an artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface and the same magnitude as the floor surface 10 at the point K is obtained. Therefore, on the floor surface of each floor of the building 51, training similar to that on the floor surface 10 at the point K can be performed.

[0075] For example, the hypergravity facility 1, 1B is not limited to training applications under hypergravity, but can also be used for applications aiming at medical effects such as prevention of osteoporosis, improvement of bone density, improvement of blood flow, improvement of optic nerves, improvement of visual reflexes, rehabilitation, etc. The hypergravity facility 1, 1B can also be used as a training facility for resistance to hypergravity, amusement facility, science experiment facility for science education, etc. The hypergravity facility 1, 1B can also be used as a simulated living experience facility to confirm the comfort of an extraterrestrial celestial body with a higher gravity than the Earth. Furthermore, when considering an artificial gravity facility that reproduces the gravity of 1G on the Earth on a celestial body with a lower gravity than the Earth (e.g., the Moon, Mars, etc.), the hypergravity facility 1, 1B can also be used as a facility to experience the shape of such an artificial gravity facility.

[0076] In the hypergravity facilities 1 and 1B, various training and experiments can be performed by adjusting parameters such as the rotation speed of the rotor 5 and the air pressure in the training area 9. In addition, by making the inside of the rotor 5 a closed space, it is also possible to confirm changes in air quality due to frequent human activity and the operational follow-up of the ECLSS system (human space stay technology (life support and environmental control technology)), a regenerative eco-sustaining device. In addition, by using the hypergravity facilities 1 and 1B, it is also possible to predict gravity problems on extraterrestrial bodies by confirming the growth of microorganisms, insects, small animals, plants, etc. under hypergravity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1,1B...hypergravity facility, 5...rotating body, 10...floor surface (foundation surface), 21...elevator (entrance / exit area), 23...running path, 23a...upper end, 25...vehicle (moving body), 27...running path, 41...training area, 43...partition wall, 43a...circumferential portion, 43b...meridional portion, 45...room portion, 47...connecting passage, 49...entrance / exit, A...rotation axis, C...center, F...artificial gravity, F1...Earth's gravity, F2...centrifugal force, P...focus, Q...user.

Claims

1. A hypergravity facility that generates an artificial gravity on Earth that is greater than the gravity of the Earth, comprising: a rotating body that rotates around a vertical axis of rotation, and the artificial gravity is generated on a base surface inside the rotating body as a resultant force of the gravity of the earth and a centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotating body; In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the base surface extends along a circle centered on the axis of rotation; In a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis, the base surface forms a curve that bulges outward, a moving body that moves around the outside of the rotating body in a rotational circumferential direction of the rotating body; An hypergravity facility comprising: an entry / exit section that is installed on the rotating body and is capable of moving entering persons or items carried in from the moving body to the inside of the rotating body through the foundation surface, and that is capable of moving leaving persons and items carried out from the inside of the rotating body to the outside through the foundation surface onto the moving body.

2. the moving body is a traveling vehicle that is stationary relative to the Earth and travels on a travel path located outside the rotating body in a rotational circumferential direction of the rotating body, The travel path in a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis has a shape that moves away from the rotation axis in a rotation radial direction as it goes up, A tangent to a lower end of the running path in the cross-sectional view is substantially horizontal; 2. The hypergravity facility according to claim 1, wherein a tangent to an upper end of the running path in the cross-sectional view is approximately perpendicular to the direction of a resultant force of the centrifugal force acting on the moving body and the gravity of the Earth when the angular velocity of the moving body at the upper end is equal to the angular velocity of the rotating body.

3. A hypergravity facility that generates an artificial gravity on Earth that is greater than the gravity of the Earth, comprising: a rotating body that rotates around a vertical axis of rotation, and the artificial gravity is generated on a base surface inside the rotating body as a resultant force of the gravity of the earth and a centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotating body; In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the base surface extends along a circle centered on the axis of rotation; In a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis, the base surface forms a curve that bulges outward, A plurality of partition walls are provided on the base surface, the partition walls rising in the direction of the artificial gravity and dividing the base surface in a meridian direction, When viewed from the direction of the artificial gravity, the partition wall is configured such that a portion extending in a circumferential direction of the rotor and a portion extending in the meridian direction are connected to each other, An hypergravity facility in which one area separated by the partition wall is composed of alternating room sections that are wide in the meridian direction and connecting passages that connect the room sections to each other in the circumferential direction.

4. The hypergravity facility according to claim 3 , wherein a portion of the partition wall extending in the meridian direction is provided with an entrance / exit that enables movement between adjacent areas.

5. The excessive gravity facility according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base surface is at least a part of a paraboloid of revolution formed by rotating a parabola around the axis of rotation.

6. The height from the base of the paraboloid of revolution to the focus is p [m], and the gravitational acceleration of the Earth is G [m / s 2 ], The excessive gravity facility according to claim 5, wherein the rotation speed Ns [rpm] of the rotor is expressed by the following formula (1). [0010]

7. The excessive gravity facility according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base surface is at least a part of a sphere having a center on the rotation axis.

Images