boarding and alighting equipment

Abstract

To provide a getting-on-and-off device which can be hung at a cockpit of a driving simulator regardless of a state of a floor surface on which the driving simulator is set and also can be removed from the cockpit, and allows a driver of a vehicle to get in or get out of the vehicle safely.SOLUTION: A getting-on-and-off device is for a user to get in or get out of a mobile simulator. The device includes: a bridge having an expansion mechanism; a driving device for driving the expansion mechanism; and a platform to which the bridge is fixed. The bridge has a cantilever structure and has an expandable supporting device to support a free end of the cantilever, the free end side being a tip of the bridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an access device, and more particularly to an access device for a cockpit of a simulator. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a conventional simulator, for example, a driving simulator described in Patent Document 1 uses a servo cylinder to change the posture of a simulated vehicle body relative to the floor. By combining this change in posture of the simulated vehicle body (cockpit) relative to the floor with an image projected onto a screen by a projector, it is possible to simulate the situation in which a driver inside the simulated vehicle body is driving a car.

[0003] However, if one wishes to make the movement of the vehicle body more realistic and the driver's driving sensation more realistic, it is desirable to use an actuator that changes the attitude of the cockpit with a longer stroke.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a driving simulator equipped with a long-stroke actuator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4493575 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5813706 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in a driving simulator using such a long-stroke actuator, the height of the cockpit from the floor is relatively high. In this case, a boarding / exiting device in the form of a ladder can be considered for the driver to enter and exit the cockpit. However, because drive mechanisms such as actuators and hydraulic pipes are present on the floor, the ladder interferes with the drive mechanisms when installed in the cockpit, making it difficult to secure a location for the ladder. Furthermore, during simulation, the ladder must be removed from its installation location. Therefore, in order to enter and exit the cockpit without relying on drive mechanisms such as floor actuators and hydraulic pipes, a bridge-type boarding / exiting device is preferable. However, in this case, the bridge may twist or bend, making it difficult for the driver to enter and exit the cockpit safely.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a boarding and alighting device that can be attached to and detached from the cockpit of a driving simulator regardless of the condition of the floor on which the driving simulator is installed, and that allows the driver to board and alight safely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the boarding and alighting device is a boarding and alighting device for boarding and alighting from a mobile simulator, and is characterized in that it comprises a bridge with an extension mechanism, a drive device that drives the extension mechanism, and a platform to which the bridge is fixed, and the bridge has a cantilever structure and comprises an extendable support device for supporting the tip of the bridge, which is the free end side of the cantilever.

[0009] In addition, the boarding / exiting device may be such that the bridge includes a plurality of bridges, and the telescopic mechanism is a mechanism in which the plurality of bridges are stored in a nested structure and extend and deploy relative to each other when in use.

[0010] In addition, in the above-mentioned boarding and disembarking device, the telescopic mechanism may further include a ball screw and a linear guide.

[0011] In addition, the telescopic mechanism of the boarding / alighting device may be a pop-up bridge.

[0012] In addition, the telescopic mechanism of the boarding / alighting device may be a rotary bridge.

[0013] In addition, the above-mentioned boarding and disembarking device may be such that the extendable support device is a tension jack having support legs.

[0014] In addition, the above-mentioned boarding / disembarking device may be configured such that the above-mentioned support legs are made of ball screws.

[0015] In addition, the above-mentioned boarding and disembarking device may be configured such that the support legs are formed of trapezoidal threads.

[0016] In addition, the support device of the boarding / exiting device may be provided with foldable support legs.

[0017] In addition, in the above-mentioned getting-on / off device, the tension jack may be a hydraulic jack.

[0018] In addition, the bridge structure of the boarding / alighting device may be a truss structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a boarding and alighting device that can be attached to and detached from the cockpit of a driving simulator regardless of the condition of the floor on which the driving simulator is installed, and that allows the driver to board and alight safely. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a driving simulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2(a) and 2(b) are a schematic plan view and a schematic side view, respectively, showing the positional relationship of the boarding / exiting device according to the embodiment of the present invention with the cockpit in FIG. [Figure 3A]3A(a) and 3A(b) are schematic perspective views showing the state of a boarding bridge of the boarding / exiting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B(c) is a schematic perspective view showing a state of the boarding bridge of the boarding and disembarking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic perspective views showing the extended state of the support legs of the tension jack according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a boarding bridge of the boarding and disembarking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are an enlarged plan view and a schematic perspective view, respectively, showing a jack position displacement plate of the getting-on / off device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are an enlarged plan view and a schematic perspective view, respectively, showing a jack position displacement plate of a getting-on / off device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a driving simulator 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the driving simulator 100 is configured to include a cockpit 110, an actuator system 120 that operates the cockpit, a screen 130 that displays the scenery seen from the cockpit in accordance with the operation of the cockpit, a boarding bridge 140 that is a boarding / alighting device for the cockpit, a platform 150 that is provided with the boarding / alighting device and on which the driver gets on and off, and a recessed pit 160 (see FIG. 2(b)) in which the actuator system 120 is disposed and which has a bottom surface lower than that of the platform. Note that this embodiment relates to a simulator for an automobile as the driving simulator 100, but is not limited to this. As will be clear from the following description, the driving simulator 100 can also be a simulator for a moving body such as a railroad vehicle or an aircraft.

[0024] The cockpit 110 is a boarding section where a driver boards to perform a driving simulation, and is equipped with components for driving that mimic those of an actual automobile, such as a steering wheel, a seat, an instrument panel, door mirrors, and doors. A boarding bridge (boarding and alighting device) 140, through which the driver gets on and off the cockpit 110, is provided on a platform 150. As will be described in detail later, when the driver gets on and off, the boarding bridge 140 extends as a whole, with its tip positioned corresponding to the boarding and alighting door of the cockpit 110 (FIG. 1 shows this state). In this state, a pair of support legs provided on the underside of the tip of the boarding bridge 140 extend into a pit 160 in which the actuator system 120 is provided and make contact with the floor of the pit. As a result, the tip of the boarding bridge 140 is supported by the support legs. When a simulation is not performed, the boarding bridge 140 retracts as the support legs retract, and is positioned above the platform 150 (see FIG. 3(a)). That is, when using the driving simulator 100, first, the boarding bridge 140 is extended so that its tip corresponds to the position corresponding to the cockpit entrance. Next, the driver opens the entrance door 142 at the front side of the boarding bridge 140 on the platform 150, gets on the boarding bridge, walks along the safety fence 146 to the boarding opening 141, and passes through this opening to get into the cockpit 110. After using the driving simulator 100, the driver moves in the reverse order to the above, transferring from the cockpit 110 to the boarding bridge 140 through the boarding opening 141 at the tip of the boarding bridge 140, and then moves to the platform 150 through the entrance door 142 on the platform 150 side of the boarding bridge 140. Thereafter, the boarding bridge 140 is retracted to its stored state.

[0025] 2(a) and 2(b) are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing the positional relationship between the boarding bridge 140 and the cockpit 110 shown in FIG.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2( a), the boarding bridge 140 is extended from the platform 150 until its tip reaches a position adjacent to the cockpit 110. At this time, the boarding bridge 140 extends toward the cockpit 110, which is stopped at a predetermined stopping position, but does not come into contact with the cockpit 110. Then, the door 115 of the cockpit 110 opens toward the boarding and disembarking opening 141 at the tip of the boarding bridge 140, ensuring a path for the driver to board and disembark from the boarding bridge 140 to the cockpit 110. Furthermore, because the boarding bridge 140 does not come into contact with the cockpit 110, the weight of the boarding bridge 140 and the impact caused by extension and contraction are not applied to the cockpit 110, and there is no effect on the cockpit 110, the actuator system 120 (described later), etc.

[0027] 2(b), when the boarding bridge 140 is extended, the bottom of the boarding bridge 140 and the bottom of the cockpit 110 are configured to be at the same height. In this way, even if the height from the floor on which the actuator system 120 of the cockpit 110 is provided to the cockpit 110 is relatively high, by using the boarding bridge 140 of this embodiment, the boarding bridge 140 can be easily installed and removed from the cockpit 110. Furthermore, since the driver can get on and off the cockpit 110 by walking on the boarding bridge 140, the driver can move in the same way as in an actual vehicle where the driver walks on the ground to get on, and a high sense of immersion can be achieved.

[0028] 1 and 2(b), the actuator system 120 includes three actuators 121a, 121b, and 121c that are evenly spaced apart at three locations along the circumferential direction so as to surround the periphery of the cockpit 110. These three actuators can partially contract in their respective axial directions and are connected to an oscillating base 111, which is fixed to a cockpit support base provided on the bottom side of the cockpit 110, via a hexapod 124. The hexapod 124 is fixed to a base plate 126. This allows the actuator system 120 to drive the actuators 121a, 121b, and 121c using a driving source such as hydraulic pressure, thereby moving the cockpit 110 in two axial directions, X and Y. The hexapod 124 also allows the cockpit 110 to move with six degrees of freedom, i.e., in the three axial directions, X, Y, and Z, and in rotational directions around each of these axes. The operation of the cockpit by these actuators 121a, 121b, 121c and hexapod 124 is controlled by a host computer (not shown).

[0029] Screen 130 is installed above pit 160, surrounding cockpit 110, and images are projected onto it by a projector (not shown) suspended from the ceiling. Screen 130 is located at a predetermined height above the floor of the pit to avoid the drive sources and hydraulic pipes of actuators 121a, 121b, and 121c, which are installed on the floor of pit 160.

[0030] When the projector receives image signals from a computer (not shown), it projects simulated images, which are images of the scenery that would be seen from inside the vehicle if the vehicle were to travel on a simulated road in accordance with each image signal, onto the screen 130. The driver obtains information about the road, signs, traffic lights, other vehicles, pedestrians, etc. while looking at the simulated images projected onto the screen 130, and performs driving operations in accordance with that information.

[0031] Here, drive mechanisms such as the three actuators 121a, 121b, and 121c and the hexapod 124 are provided, and particularly when the actuator of the hexapod 124 has a relatively long stroke, the height of the cockpit 110 provided above the hexapod 124 becomes relatively high. Therefore, in this embodiment, the drive mechanisms are provided in a pit that is a recessed portion of the platform. Furthermore, by providing the pit, passengers can get on and off the cockpit 110 using a boarding bridge 140, and the boarding bridge 140 provided on the platform is configured to extend and retract relative to the cockpit 110.

[0032] The platform 150 is a platform for the driver to enter the room where the driving simulator 100 is installed and to board onto the top of the boarding bridge 140. The platform 150 is made of, for example, concrete and has a horizontal floor surface on top. The platform 150 also has the above-mentioned pit 160 in the center.

[0033] The boarding bridge 140 is fixed to the platform 150 via a base 180. The base 180 is fixed by being embedded into the platform 150 when the concrete that makes up the platform 150 is laid. The base 180 is also supported on the floor of the pit 160 by fixing legs 181.

[0034] 3A(a), (b), and 3B(c) are diagrams illustrating a boarding bridge 140 according to this embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 3A(a) is a perspective view showing a retracted state of a boarding bridge 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the boarding bridge 140 includes a bridge 143, which is a structure of a series of rectangular frames that also serve as a safety fence 146. The bridge 143 includes multiple bridges, including a first bridge 143a that is fixed to the platform 150, a second bridge 143b that is the middle portion, and a third bridge 143c that is the tip portion. The bridges also include an extension / contraction mechanism that allows the first bridge 143a, the second bridge 143b, and the third bridge 143c to extend and unfold relative to each other and, conversely, to contract and retract relative to each other when in use. The first bridge 143a of the boarding bridge 140 is fixed to a base 180, which is a fixed base for fixing the boarding bridge 140 to the platform 150. When the boarding bridge 140 is in the stored state, the first bridge 143a, the second bridge 143b, and the third bridge 143c are nested within one another and contracted, and stored together on the base 180 by the telescoping mechanism. The bridge 143 may have, for example, a truss structure. If the bridge 143 has a truss structure, the rigidity of the bridge 143 can be sufficiently ensured during telescoping and after extension and deployment, and the telescoping of the bridge 143 and the telescoping of the support legs 172, which will be described later, will not be hindered.

[0036] 3A(b) is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of deployment of the boarding bridge 140 according to the embodiment of the present invention during use. From the previously described stored state, the first telescoping motor 148a, which is a drive device for driving the telescoping mechanism, is used to rotate the first telescoping ball screw 148b, which is a telescoping mechanism, thereby extending and deploying the third bridge 143c toward the cockpit 110 relative to the first bridge 143a along the first telescoping linear guide 148c, which is a telescoping mechanism. At the same time, the second telescoping motor 149a is used to rotate the second telescoping ball screw 149b, thereby extending and deploying the second bridge 143b toward the cockpit 110 relative to the first bridge 143a along the second telescoping linear guide 149c. As described above, the telescoping mechanism is configured using a ball screw, which allows for a faster extension / retraction speed than when other screws are used. As mentioned above, the boarding bridge 140 has a nested structure in which the first bridge 143a, the second bridge 143b, and the third bridge 143c move and expand relative to one another. This allows the boarding bridge 140 to expand only in the direction of the cockpit 110, preventing collisions with the cockpit 110, the screen 130, and other peripheral equipment. Because of this nested structure, the number of parts is smaller and simpler than when the bridge expands and contracts using a bellows or pantograph system, and furthermore, safety fences can be easily attached.

[0037] 3B(c) is a perspective view showing the fully deployed boarding bridge 140 of the embodiment of the present invention when in use. The second bridge 143b and the third bridge 143c are fully deployed in the extension direction relative to the first bridge 143a. In this state, as will be described below, the support legs 172 of the tension jack 170 extend from the storage section 171 toward the floor surface of the pit 160 to support the tip of the boarding bridge 140.

[0038] When the driving simulator 100 is in use, the boarding bridge 140 is retracted and stored toward the platform 150 in the reverse order to the procedure in which the boarding bridge 140 is extended and deployed toward the cockpit 110 described above.

[0039] In this embodiment, the boarding bridges 140 are stored in a nested structure, but this is not limiting. A boarding bridge having a bridge with a length equal to the distance from the platform 150 to the cockpit 110 may be a lift-up bridge that is lifted up and positioned above the platform 150 to become stationary. Alternatively, instead of being lifted up, the boarding bridge may be a rotating bridge that rotates toward the platform 150 so that its tip traces an arc in a plan view and becomes stationary. Alternatively, a bridge with an integrated structure may be configured to move directly to the vicinity of the cockpit 110 and then return directly to the platform 150.

[0040] In this way, the boarding bridge 140 is stored in a nested structure and deployed in the extension direction. Furthermore, the boarding bridge 140 has the support legs 172 as described above at its tip. This allows the boarding bridge 140 to extend to the cockpit 110 without being obstructed by the actuators 121a, 121b, 121c or hydraulic pipes that run along the floor of the pit 160. Therefore, the boarding bridge 140 can be attached to and detached from the cockpit 110 regardless of the condition of the floor on which the driving simulator is installed.

[0041] Furthermore, as described above, if the boarding bridge is stored by a flip-up or rotating mechanism, it is not necessary to make the bridge portion of the boarding bridge a nested structure, and the boarding bridge can be extended to the cockpit 110 with a simple mechanism. The same effect can also be obtained when the integrated bridge itself moves directly to the vicinity of the cockpit 110 and returns directly to the platform 150.

[0042] <Tension jack> 4(a) and 4(b) are enlarged perspective views showing details of the tension jack 170 of the boarding bridge 140 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 4(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the support leg 172 of the tension jack 170, which is an extendable support device for the boarding bridge 140, is stored in the storage section 171. As described above, the support leg 172 remains stored in the storage section 171 until the boarding bridge 140 is fully deployed. The support leg 172 has a leg section 172a formed by a ball screw. A jack motor 173 is attached to a drive shaft 174 for extending and retracting the support leg 172 via a gear (not shown). As a result, when the jack motor 173 is not rotating, the frictional force between the leg section 172a and the storage section 171 and the frictional force between the gear of the jack motor 173 and the drive shaft 174 allows the support leg 172 to remain stationary relative to the storage section 171. Note that the jack motor 173 may be kept energized, and the holding torque of the jack motor 173 may be used to maintain the stationary state.

[0044] FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the state in which the support leg 172 extends and reaches the floor of the pit 160 from the storage section 171. When the boarding bridge 140 is deployed, the jack motor 173 rotates from the stationary state described above, and driving force is transmitted through the gear, drive shaft 174, and leg 172a. As a result, the support leg 172, which is a ball screw, extends from the storage section 171 to the floor of the pit. The support leg 172 has a foot 172b, and when the foot 172b touches the floor of the pit, the jack motor 173 stops rotating. Due to the meshing friction between the leg 172a, which is a ball screw, and the storage section 171, which has a female thread corresponding to the ball screw, the support leg 172 remains stationary relative to the storage section 171. Thus, the boarding bridge 140 is supported by the support leg 172. As a result, the free end of the boarding bridge 140, which has a cantilever structure, is supported and fixed at its tip, preventing the boarding bridge 140 from twisting or bending, allowing the driver to safely approach the cockpit 110 using the boarding bridge 140 and to safely board. Furthermore, since the leg 172a is made of a ball screw, the leg 172a can quickly respond to the rotation of the jack motor 173 and quickly extend and retract. As described above, the jack motor 173 may be kept energized, and the holding torque of the jack motor 173 may be used to hold the extended support leg 172.

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, the tension jack 170 is used, which has support legs 172 that are ball screws, but the support legs are not limited to this. For example, trapezoidal screws or worm gears can also be used. The support device may also have foldable support legs that are folded when stored. The tension jack 170 may also be a hydraulic jack. Even when such a support device is used, the support legs can be quickly extended and retracted.

[0046] <Jack position displacement plate> FIG. 5 is a plan view of the boarding bridge 140 seen from above.

[0047] 6(a) and 6(b) are enlarged views showing the jack position displacement plate 144. FIG.

[0048] 5, the boarding bridge 140 is provided with a jack position displacement plate 144 at the tip of the third bridge 143c. The jack position displacement plate 144 is used to rotate the tension jack 170 in a plane relative to the third bridge 143c.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the jack position displacement plate 144 has scale holes 144a and 144b and an arc-shaped through-hole 145 for determining the rotational position of the tension jack 170 within a plane. The third bridge 143c has a tapped hole at a position corresponding to the arc-shaped through-hole 145, into which a pin 144c is screwed. The pin 144c protrudes from the third bridge 143c and can be seen through the arc-shaped through-hole 145. The pin 144c serves as a guide for the jack position displacement plate 144 to rotate along an arc. The pin 144c also serves as an end stopper for the left and right rotation of the jack position displacement plate 144, since the rotation of the jack position displacement plate 144 stops when the pin 144c reaches the end of the arc-shaped through-hole 145.

[0050] The rotational position of the tension jack 170 in a plane using the jack position displacement plate 144 is determined by aligning the aforementioned scale holes 144a and 144b with the pin 144c. Specifically, by adjusting the scale holes 144a, 144b, and pin 144c so that they are positioned so that a line L1 passing through the central axis of the jack motor 173 in a plan view coincides with a line L2 passing through the center of the boarding bridge 140 in a plan view, the jack position displacement plate 144 is positioned corresponding to the boarding bridge 140. The jack position displacement plate 144 is rotated manually, but may also be rotated automatically using a motor, for example.

[0051] In this way, the jack position displacement plate 144 equipped with the tension jack 170 rotates to a predetermined position relative to the third bridge 143c. As a result, as shown in Figure 6(b), the support legs 172 of the tension jack 170 can be placed on the floor of the pit while successfully avoiding the actuators 121a, 121b, 121c and hydraulic pipes that are crawling on the floor of the pit.

[0052] Fig. 7(a) is an enlarged plan view showing the jack position displacement plate 144, and Fig. 7(b) is a schematic perspective view showing the orientation of a jack displaced by the jack position displacement plate 144 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Components having the same reference numbers as those related to the boarding bridge 140 described above have the same functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0053] 8(a), when the jack position displacement plate 144 is rotated leftward, the pin 144c reaches the right end of the arc-shaped through-hole 145, whereupon the pin 144c hits the right end of the arc-shaped through-hole 145, stopping the rotation of the jack position displacement plate 144. This allows the jack position displacement plate 144 to rotate leftward relative to the third bridge 143c from the position described above.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8(b), as described above, by rotating the jack position displacement plate 144 to a predetermined position, the support leg 172 can come into contact with the floor surface of the pit while avoiding interference with the actuators 121a, 121b, 121c and hydraulic pumps, etc., which are crawling along the floor surface of the pit.

[0055] With the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a boarding and alighting device that can be attached to and detached from the cockpit of the driving simulator regardless of the condition of the floor on which the driving simulator is installed, and that allows the driver to board and alight safely. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100 Driving Simulator 110 Cockpit 120 Actuator System 121a, 121b, 121c actuators 130 screens 140 Boarding Bridge 141 Passenger access opening 142 Entrance Door 143 Bridge 143a First Bridge 143b Second Bridge 143c Third Bridge 144 Jack position displacement plate 144a, 144b Scale holes 144c pin 145 Arc-shaped through hole 150 Platform 160 Pit 170 Tension jack

Claims

1. A boarding and disembarking device for getting on and off a moving body simulator, a bridge having an extension mechanism; a drive device that drives the extension mechanism; Equipped with the bridge has a cantilever structure with one end fixed to a platform, and includes an extendable support device for supporting a tip of the bridge, which is a free end side of the cantilever; A jack position displacement plate is provided at the tip of the bridge, A boarding and alighting device, characterized in that the support device rotates within a plane by the jack position displacement plate.

2. 2. The boarding / exiting device according to claim 1, wherein the bridge comprises a plurality of bridges, and the telescopic mechanism is a mechanism in which the plurality of bridges are stored in a nested structure with each other and extend and deploy relative to each other when in use.

3. The boarding / exiting device according to claim 2 , wherein the telescopic mechanism further comprises a ball screw and a linear guide.

4. The boarding / exiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the extension mechanism comprises a flip-up bridge.

5. The boarding / exiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the telescopic mechanism comprises a rotary bridge.

6. The boarding / exiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the extendable support device is a tension jack having support legs.

7. The boarding / exiting device according to claim 6, wherein the support leg comprises a ball screw.

8. The boarding / egress device according to claim 6, wherein the support legs are formed of trapezoidal threads.

9. The boarding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the support device comprises foldable support legs.

10. The getting-on / off device according to claim 6, wherein the tension jack is a hydraulic jack.

11. The boarding / exiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the bridge structure is a truss structure.

Images