Hypergravity facility

Abstract

This hypergravity facility is a hypergravity installation on Earth for generating artificial gravity that is stronger than Earth's gravity, and comprises a rotary body that rotates about a vertical axis of rotation, wherein artificial gravity is generated on a floor surface on the inside of the rotary body as the combined force of Earth's gravity and the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotary body. In a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the axis of rotation, the floor surface extends along a circle centered on the axis of rotation, and in a cross-sectional view that includes the axis of rotation, the floor surface is curved in an outwardly bulging manner.

Description

Hypergravity Facility

[0001] The present disclosure relates to hypergravity facilities.

[0002] A conventional technique in this field is a hypergravity environment training device described in Patent Document 1 below. This device includes a turntable that rotates around a rotation axis and multiple hypergravity chambers attached to the turntable. A training room is provided within the hypergravity chamber, and the inclination of the floor of the training room can be adjusted using an angle adjustment device. In this device, the resultant 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. The inclination of the floor is adjusted so that this artificial gravity is applied perpendicularly to the floor of the training room.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-187782

[0004] However, the structure of this device makes it difficult to ensure space for users to exercise freely. For example, when training to improve a user's bone density, not only is the user in a hypergravity environment, but activities involving large movements such as walking, jumping, and climbing stairs are also desired. However, the structure of this device limits the expansion of the training room space, making it difficult to ensure sufficient space as described above. Therefore, this disclosure describes a hypergravity facility that easily ensures users' freedom of exercise in a hypergravity environment.

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

[0006] [1] An excessive gravity facility that generates an artificial gravity on 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 the combined force of the gravity of the Earth and the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor, and in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the base surface extends along a circle centered on the axis of rotation, and in a cross section including the axis of rotation, the base surface forms a curve that bulges outward.

[0007] The in-plane direction of the base surface that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction of rotation is referred to below as the "meridional direction." This hypergravity facility ensures freedom of movement for users on the base surface under hypergravity by ensuring the length of the base surface in the circumferential direction of rotation and the width of the base surface in the meridional direction. However, when users move in the meridional direction on the base surface, the intersection angle between the base surface and artificial gravity may fluctuate. In contrast, in the hypergravity facility described above in [1], the base surface curves outward in a cross-section including the rotation axis, so fluctuations in the intersection angle between the base surface and artificial gravity when users move in the meridional direction are reduced.

[0008] [2] The hypergravity facility according to [1], wherein the base 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 properties of the paraboloid of revolution, there exists a special rotation speed for the rotating body that allows artificial gravity perpendicular to the base surface to be obtained simultaneously at all points on the base surface. In other words, by appropriately selecting the rotation speed 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 their bodies' up-down directions perpendicular to the base surface. Therefore, all users can move naturally on the base surface, just as they would on a horizontal surface on the ground. In this way, a hypergravity environment that allows natural movement can be provided to a large number of users simultaneously.

[0010] Furthermore, even when the user moves relatively far on the base surface, the artificial gravity remains perpendicular to the base surface. Therefore, the base surface appears horizontal to the user, allowing the user to move as naturally as if 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 user's location changes. Therefore, the user can adjust the magnitude of the artificial gravity acting on them by simply moving in a meridian direction on the base surface.

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

[0012]

[0013] By setting the rotation speed of the rotor to the rotation speed expressed by the above formula (1), 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.

[0014] [4] A hypergravity facility according to any one of [1] to [3], comprising: a moving body that moves around the outside of the rotating body in the circumferential direction of the rotating body; and an entry / exit section that is installed on the rotating body and is capable of moving people entering or items being carried in from the moving body through the base surface to the inside of the rotating body, and also capable of moving people leaving or items being carried out from the inside of the rotating body through the base surface to the outside, 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 track that is immobile relative to the Earth and located outside the rotating body, the track in a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis has a shape that moves away from the rotation axis in the radial direction of rotation the higher it goes, a tangent to a lower end of the track in the cross-sectional view is approximately horizontal, and a tangent to an upper end of the track 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] The hypergravity facility according to 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 meridional direction, and when viewed from the direction of the artificial gravity, the partition walls are configured by a continuous portion extending in the circumferential direction of the rotating body and a continuous portion extending in the meridional direction, and each area divided by the partition walls is configured by an alternating series of wide room portions in the meridional direction and connecting passages connecting the room portions in the circumferential direction of rotation.

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

[0018] [8] The hypergravity facility according to 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.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an excessive gravity facility that easily ensures users' freedom of movement under excessive gravity.

[0020] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism of the rotating body, respectively. (a) is a perspective view of the exterior of the hypergravity facility according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the hypergravity facility taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. (b) is a cross-sectional view of the hypergravity facility taken along a plane including the rotation axis. (a) is a side view showing another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism of the rotating body, and (b) is a side view showing yet another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism of the rotating body. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the transportation equipment taken along a plane including the rotation axis, and (b) is a plan view thereof. (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the transportation equipment in sequence. (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the transportation equipment in sequence, following FIG. 5. (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing another example of the transportation equipment. (a) is a diagram showing a connecting path for vehicles to travel between the rotating bodies, and (b) is a diagram showing yet another example of the transportation equipment. (b) is a plan view showing partition walls that divide the training field. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an excessive gravity facility according to a second embodiment, taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis; FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an elevator provided at the bottom of the floor surface; FIG. 1C is a perspective view of another example of the shape of the floor surface; and FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of an example of a multi-story building provided on the floor surface.

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hypergravity facility according to the present disclosure 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 may not necessarily match between the drawings. Identical or equivalent components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

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

[0023] The hypergravity facility 1 includes a base 3 constructed 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 about a vertical rotation axis A. In the hypergravity facility 1, artificial gravity F is generated on an inner wall surface 7 of the rotor 5 as a result of the resultant force of the Earth's gravity F1 and a centrifugal force F2 due to the rotation of the rotor 5. The inner wall surface 7 functions as an artificial ground, and the top of this inner wall surface 7 is a training ground 9 for users Q. In other words, the inner wall surface 7 forms 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 simply referring to the "axial direction," "radial direction," and "circumferential direction," it means the rotational axis direction (direction of the rotational axis A), the rotational radial direction, and the rotational circumferential direction of the rotating body 5. Furthermore, 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 a cross section including the rotational 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 rotation axis A, when considering an xy coordinate system in which the bottom of the floor surface 10 is the origin O, the rotation axis A is the y-axis, and the x-axis is horizontal, the cross section of the floor surface 10 is expressed as follows: y = (1 / 4p) x ２ ...(a) where 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 has a generally uniform thickness and is shaped along the paraboloid of revolution. 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 the bottom (origin O) of the floor surface 10 as the reference point. Then, from equation (a), the radius of rotation of the floor surface 10 at the height of the focal point P is 100 m. The total height of the rotating body 5 with the origin O as the reference point is determined according to the required maximum artificial gravity F, and is, for example, 300 m. Then, from equation (a), the radius of rotation of the floor surface 10 at the top end of the rotating body 5 is 245 m.

[0029] The rotation speed [rpm] of the rotating body 5 will now be described. As mentioned 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] at which artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 can be obtained simultaneously at all points on the floor surface 10. In other words, when the rotating body 5 is rotating at a certain special rotation speed Ns [rpm], the artificial gravity F generated at each point on the floor surface 10 is all perpendicular to the floor surface 10 at each point. 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 gradient y'(j) of the tangent to the floor surface 10 at point J is y'(j) = j / 2p ... (c) Furthermore, let the gravitational acceleration of the Earth be G [m / s 2 ], then the gravity F1 of the Earth acting on any mass m at point J is: F1 = mG ...(d) Furthermore, if the angular velocity of the rotating body 5 is ω [rad / s], then the centrifugal force F2 acting on any mass m at point J due to this rotation is: F2 = mjω ２ ...(e). 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).

[0031] In order to obtain artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 at 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 gradient y'(j) of the tangent line of the floor surface 10 at point J. The condition is F2 / F1=y'(j) ...(g). By substituting equations (c), (d), and (e) into equation (g), the above condition is mjω ２ / mG = j / 2p ...(h) By solving this for ω, we obtain the angular velocity ω, which is independent of j, as follows: ω = √(G / 2p) ...(i). 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 in the following equation (1).

[0032]

[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 mentioned above, p = 50 [m], and therefore, from formula (1), the rotation speed of the rotor 5 is approximately 3 [rpm]. By rotating the rotor 5 in this manner, as mentioned 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 that support and rotate the rotating body 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 , a large number of rotation drive units 13 are provided on the base unit 3. The rotation drive units 13 are for supporting and rotating the rotating body 5. Each rotation drive unit 13 has, for example, a horizontally rotating roller 15, 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] 3(a) shows another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism for the rotating body 5. In this example, a support structure 17 fixed to the ground is located above the rotating body 5 and roof portion 11. The upper ends of wires 18 are attached to the support structure 17 at a position on the rotation axis A. The rotating body 5 and roof portion 11 are suspended from the support structure 17 via the wires 18. A rotation drive unit 19 is provided at the connection between the support structure 17 and the wires 18. The rotation drive unit 19 rotates the wires 18, the rotating body 5, and the roof portion 11 horizontally. In addition, guide rollers 14 are provided on the base portion 3 and come into contact with the outer wall surface of the rotating body, and the guide rollers 14 guide the horizontal rotation of the rotating body 5.

[0036] 3(b) shows yet another example of the support mechanism and rotation mechanism for 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. Furthermore, the presence of the liquid 16 makes it difficult for vibrations from the ground to be transmitted to the rotor 5 during an earthquake, thereby achieving a seismic isolation effect for the rotor 5. Note that instead of the liquid 16, ice (solid water) may be filled between the lower part of the rotor 5 and the base 3.

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

[0038] The effects of the hypergravity facility 1 described above will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the hypergravity facility 1, the floor 10 forms a paraboloid of revolution, and the rotor 5 rotates at a rotation speed Ns expressed by equation (1). This allows artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor 10 to be 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 10. Therefore, all users Q can move naturally, just as they would 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 extends horizontally in the in-plane direction, the user Q can move relatively widely within the training area 9 in the apparent horizontal direction (in the in-plane direction of the floor surface 10). Furthermore, it is easy to ensure a relatively large space in the apparent vertical direction (the direction of artificial gravity F) within the training area 9. Therefore, the user Q's freedom of movement under hypergravity is ensured. In other words, the user Q can also perform training under hypergravity 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 is highly effective for training under hypergravity can be provided to the user Q.

[0040] Furthermore, 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 that involves relatively far movement, the floor surface 10 appears to the user Q as a horizontal surface, and as a result, the user Q can move as naturally as if on a horizontal surface on the ground.

[0041] Furthermore, as can be seen from the above equations (d), (e), and (f), the magnitude of 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 relative to the origin O, the stronger the artificial gravity F, and the lower the position, the weaker the artificial gravity F. Therefore, when user Q moves in the meridian direction within the training field 9, the magnitude of the artificial gravity F at the location where the user Q is staying changes. Therefore, user Q can adjust the magnitude of the artificial gravity F acting on him / herself by a simple method, for example, by moving in the meridian direction within the training field 9 by walking. On the other hand, when user Q moves in the circumferential direction within the training field 9, the magnitude of the artificial gravity F does not change. Therefore, user Q can perform training that involves large movements in the circumferential direction without changing the magnitude of the artificial gravity F acting on him / herself.

[0042] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the transportation equipment for allowing users Q to enter and exit the training field 9 will be described. FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the transportation equipment 20 taken along a plane including the rotation axis A, and FIG. 4(b) is a plan view thereof. FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) and 6(a) to 6(c) are cross-sectional views sequentially illustrating the operation of the transportation equipment 20. In this hypergravity facility 1, when a large number of users Q are using the training field 9, it is necessary to allow some 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 transportation equipment 20. The transportation equipment 20 transports users Q from the pedestal 3 on the ground to the rotating training field 9. The transportation equipment 20 also transports users Q from the rotating training field 9 to the pedestal 3 on the ground. The transportation facility 20 includes an elevator 21 (entrance / exit section) provided on the rotating body 5, a track 23 provided on the outside of the rotating body 5, and vehicles 25 that travel in a circumferential direction on the track 23. Note that the transportation facility 20 is not shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0043] The elevator 21 is constructed on the wall of the rotating body 5 at a predetermined height position on the rotating body 5 and rotates circumferentially as the rotating body 5 rotates. The elevator 21 has an elevator shaft 21a that penetrates vertically through the floor surface 10. The shaft 21a extends in the direction of artificial gravity F at that point. The elevator 21 also has a transfer entrance 21b located outside the outer periphery of the rotating body 5 and an entrance / exit 21c located inside the floor surface 10. An elevator car 21d, which is a box that carries users Q and luggage, is installed within the shaft 21a. The car 21d moves back and forth within the shaft 21a between the transfer entrance 21b and the entrance / exit 21c. With this configuration, the elevator 21 can transport users Q and luggage between the transfer entrance 21b and the floor surface 10, penetrating the floor surface 10 in the direction of artificial gravity F.

[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, bulging 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 rotation axis A, a tangent to the lower end of the runway 23 is approximately horizontal, and a boarding and disembarking area 3a where users Q get on and off the vehicle 25 is provided at the lower end. The inclination of the tangent to the upper end 23a of the runway 23 is as follows: In a cross-sectional view ( FIG. 4( a) ) including the rotation axis A, the tangent to the upper end 23a of the runway 23 is approximately perpendicular to the direction of the resultant force of the centrifugal force acting on the vehicle 25 and the Earth's gravity when the angular velocity of the vehicle 25 at the upper end 23a is equal to the angular velocity of the rotating body 5. In other words, when the vehicle 25 travels in the circumferential direction on the runway 23, an apparent gravity acts on the vehicle 25 as a resultant force of the centrifugal force due to turning about the rotation axis A and the Earth's gravity. Now, consider a case where the traveling position of the vehicle 25 in the vehicle width direction is the upper end 23a of the runway 23, and the angular velocity of the turning vehicle 25 is equal to the angular velocity of the rotating body 5. The running path 23 is designed so that the tangent to the upper end 23a of the running path 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 the elevator 21 and the runway 23 can be considered to be negligibly small compared to the size of the rotating body 5, and the apparent gravity acting on the vehicle 25 can be considered to be the same as the artificial gravity F in the vicinity of the elevator 21. In this case, in the cross-sectional view ( FIG. 4( a) ) including the rotation axis A, the tangent to the upper end 23 a of the runway 23 can be considered to be approximately perpendicular to the artificial gravity F in the vicinity of the elevator 21, and the road surface of the upper end 23 a of the runway 23 can be considered to be approximately parallel to the floor surface 10 in the vicinity of the elevator 21.

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

[0048] The operation of the transportation facility 20 will be described. Below, the procedure for allowing a user Q on the ground (base 3) to enter the training area 9 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5( a), the user Q (entrant) boards a vehicle 25 parked at the boarding / deboarding area 3a on the base 3. The vehicle 25 then starts moving and accelerates while traveling circumferentially on the track 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 track 23, as shown in FIG. 5( b). In other words, strictly speaking, the vehicle 25 travels on the track 23 in a spiral trajectory centered on the rotation axis A. Then, as shown in FIG. 5( c), the vehicle 25 reaches the upper end 23a of the track 23. The position and speed of the vehicle 25 are adjusted so that the vehicle 25 is adjacent to the transfer entrance 21b of the rotating elevator 21 at the upper end 23a and its relative speed with respect to the transfer entrance 21b is zero.

[0049] With the position and speed adjusted as described above, as shown in FIG. 6( a), vehicle 25 is positioned adjacent to and immediately adjacent to car 21d waiting at transfer gate 21b in the meridian direction. In this state, user Q gets off vehicle 25 and transfers to car 21d. Then, car 21d moves through floor 10 to entrance / exit 21c as shown in FIG. 6( b). User Q then gets off car 21d at entrance / exit 21c and steps onto floor 10, entering training ground 9 as shown in FIG. 6( c).

[0050] Furthermore, by reversing the above procedure, user Q can exit the training ground 9 and return to the boarding and alighting area 3a on the pedestal 3. That is, user Q (exiting user) in the training ground 9 gets into car 21d waiting at entrance / exit 21c, and car 21d moves to transfer entrance 21b. At this time, vehicle 25 is traveling on the upper end 23a of the running path 23, adjacent to transfer entrance 21b and with a relative speed of zero relative to transfer entrance 21b. User Q gets out of car 21d and transfers to vehicle 25. Then, vehicle 25 decelerates as it travels circumferentially on running path 23, and the position of vehicle 25 in the vehicle width direction gradually descends toward the height of boarding and alighting area 3a. Then, when vehicle 25 arrives at and stops at boarding and alighting area 3a, user Q gets off vehicle 25 onto pedestal 3.

[0051] According to the transportation facility 20 as described above, the user Q can enter and exit the training area 9 without stopping the rotation of the rotating body 5. At this time, the user Q boards and disembarks at the boarding and disembarking area 3a while the vehicle 25 is stopped, which is safe. Also, at the transfer gate 21b, the user Q transfers between the vehicle 25 and the elevator 21 while the vehicle 25 and the elevator 21 are stopped relative to each other, which is safe.

[0052] 5(b), while accelerating or decelerating on the running path 23, the vehicle 25 gradually changes its posture 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 or disembarking the vehicle 25, the user Q can get on and off the vehicle 25 with the same feeling as if they were 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 up-down direction of the vehicle body facing the direction of artificial gravity F. Therefore, the user Q can transfer between the vehicle 25 and the car 21d adjacent in the meridian direction with the same feeling as if they were on a horizontal plane on the ground.

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

[0054] Rails or the like for running vehicle 25 may be provided on runway 23. 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. Furthermore, vehicle 25 does not need to run on runway 23 under its own power during transfer, etc.

[0055] Also, instead of the elevator 21, for example, stairs connecting the transfer gate 21b and the entrance / exit 21c may be provided. In this case, the user Q can walk between the transfer gate 21b and the entrance / exit 21c by going up and down the stairs. Also, 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] Furthermore, instead of the transportation facility 20 described above, a transportation facility 24 as shown in FIG. 7( a) may be employed. The transportation facility 24 includes a track 27 and a vehicle 29 instead of the track 23 and vehicle 25 of the transportation facility 20. The track 27 is provided on the base 3 and extends circumferentially along the outer wall surface of the rotating body 5 at a position immediately below the transfer entrance 21b of the elevator 21. The surface of the track 27 is generally horizontal throughout. The vehicle 29 travels circumferentially on the track 27 and does not interfere with the rotating elevator 21. The inclination of the floor 29a of the vehicle compartment of the vehicle 29 is variable. That is, the floor 29a is inclined by a predetermined actuator to generate a height difference in the vehicle width direction, and the magnitude of this inclination is adjustable.

[0057] This type of transportation equipment 24 also allows user Q to transfer safely at the transfer gate 21b. That is, when the vehicle 29 carrying user Q heading toward the training ground 9 accelerates on the base 3, the actuator drives the floor 29a, gradually tilting the floor 29a in a direction that raises the outer periphery. Then, 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, user Q gets off the vehicle 29 and transfers to the car 21d. Therefore, user Q can transfer from the state where he or she is standing on the floor 29a perpendicular to the artificial gravity F to the car 21d with the same sensation as if he or she were standing on a horizontal plane on the ground. Furthermore, by performing the reverse procedure, user Q heading from the training ground 9 to the ground can safely transfer from the car 21d to the vehicle 29.

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

[0059] 8(a), if there are multiple rotating bodies 5, a connecting path 31 may be provided to allow vehicles 29 to travel between them. The connecting path 31 includes a running path 27 (referred to as running path 27A) provided around one rotating body 5 (referred to as running path 5A), a running path 27 (referred to as running path 27B) provided around the other rotating body 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 at a lower position 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 approaches elevator 21 of rotating body 5A and travels on runway 27A at zero relative speed to pick up user Q from rotating body 5A. After user Q transfers from car 21d of elevator 21 (see FIG. 7) to vehicle 29, vehicle 29 leaves runway 27A and enters connecting path 33. Thereafter, 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 vehicle 29 to car 21d of elevator 21 of rotating body 5B (see FIG. 7).

[0061] According to this operation, the kinetic energy of the vehicle 29 turning along with the rotating body 5A when the user Q gets on can be effectively used as kinetic energy for turning along with the rotating body 5B when the user Q gets off. Therefore, only the energy loss due to air resistance, friction, etc. needs to be supplied to the vehicle 29, thereby achieving energy conservation. The connecting path 33 and the running paths 27A, 27B may have a spiral shape in a planar view. 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 planar view.

[0062] 8(b), the boarding / alighting area 3a on the base 3 may be located higher than the runway 27. In this case, the height of the boarding / alighting area 3a relative to the bottom (origin O) of the floor 10 is approximately twice the height of the runway 27. The boarding / alighting area 3a is connected to the runway 27 via an acceleration / deceleration path 35. In this case, after a user Q boards a vehicle 29 stopped at the boarding / alighting area 3a, the departing vehicle 29 accelerates due to the downward slope of the acceleration / deceleration path 35 and enters the runway 27. The vehicle 29 then adjusts its position and speed on the runway 27. When the vehicle 29 approaches the elevator 21 and its relative speed becomes zero, the user Q transfers from the vehicle 29 to the car 21d of the elevator 21 (see FIG. 7). Alternatively, the user Q can be transferred from the training area 9 to the boarding / alighting area 3a by reversing the above procedure.

[0063] In this case, when the vehicle 29 moves from the landing 3a to the runway 27, the vehicle 29 accelerates by utilizing the difference in elevation. When the vehicle 29 moves from the runway 27 to the landing 3a, the vehicle 29 decelerates by utilizing the difference in elevation. According to calculations by the inventors, when the height of the landing 3a is approximately twice that of the runway 27, theoretically, the potential energy of the vehicle 29 due to the difference in elevation between the landing 3a and the runway 27 is equal to the kinetic energy of the vehicle 29 corresponding to the peripheral speed of the rotating elevator 21. Therefore, the vehicle 29 can travel back and forth between the landing 3a and the runway 27 by alternately converting potential energy and kinetic energy. Therefore, the vehicle 29 only needs to be supplied with energy equivalent to losses due to air resistance, friction, etc., thereby achieving energy conservation. The acceleration / deceleration path 35 may have a spiral shape in a planar view. Furthermore, the acceleration / deceleration path 35 may have a shape such as a xoloid curve in a planar view.

[0064] Next, with reference to FIG. 9 , a configuration for dividing the training field 9 into multiple training areas 41 with different artificial gravity F will be described. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the training field 9 as seen from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 10. In FIG. 9 , the up-down direction in the figure is the meridian direction, and the left-right direction in the figure is the circumferential direction. Multiple partition walls 43 are provided on the floor surface 10, rising in the direction of the artificial gravity F (a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 10). The partition walls 43 illustrated in FIG. 9 are configured in a zigzag pattern, with circumferential portions 43a extending in the circumferential direction and meridional portions 43b extending in the meridional direction alternately connected, and the partition walls 43 as a whole extend in the circumferential direction. By providing multiple such partition walls 43, the training field 9 is divided into multiple training areas 41 aligned in the meridian direction.

[0065] Each training area 41, sandwiched between two partition walls 43, 43, is composed of wide room sections 45 in the meridian direction and narrow connecting passages 47 connecting the room sections 45 in the circumferential direction, alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. Looking at the three training areas 41A, 41B, and 41C arranged in order in the meridian direction, the connecting passage 47 of training area 41B is sandwiched between the room section 45 of training area 41A and the room section 45 of training area 41C. The room section 45 of training area 41B is also sandwiched between the connecting passage 47 of training area 41A and the connecting passage 47 of training area 41C. A closable entrance / exit 49 is formed in a meridian section 43b of each partition wall 43. User Q can move between 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 slows down due to a 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 material may be provided on the floor surface 10 and the wall surface of the partition wall 43 in the training area 41.

[0067] Furthermore, 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. Furthermore, 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 entrances / exits 49.

[0068] Second Embodiment The floor surface 10 of the rotating body 5 is not limited to a paraboloid of revolution, but may be a part or all of a sphere with a center C on the rotation axis A, as shown in FIG. 10 . In the hypergravity facility 1B of this embodiment, the floor surface 10 is a hemisphere, which is the lower half of a sphere. In this case, there is no rotation speed at which artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface 10 is simultaneously obtained at all points on the floor surface 10. In this rotating body 5, artificial gravity F becomes perpendicular to the floor surface 10 only at one height on the floor surface 10, and the height of this position depends on the rotation speed of the rotating body 5. All users Q in the training area 9 train near this one height. Furthermore, the faster the rotation speed of the rotating body 5, the higher the position on the floor surface 10 where perpendicular artificial gravity F is generated, and the stronger the artificial gravity F. To change the magnitude of the artificial gravity F provided to user Q, the rotation speed of the rotating body 5 is changed, and user Q moves to a point where 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 is changed simultaneously.

[0069] Even in the hypergravity facility 1B having such a spherical floor surface 10, the floor surface 10 extends horizontally in the in-plane direction, and a relatively large space can be easily secured in the direction of the artificial gravity F. Therefore, as with 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 within the training field 9, the angle of intersection between the artificial gravity F and the floor surface 10 changes depending on the distance moved. As a result, the floor surface 10 appears to the user Q as an inclined surface, making it difficult for the user to move naturally. Therefore, the user Q can move in the meridian direction within a range in which the inclination perceived by the user Q is tolerable.

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

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

[0072] Furthermore, instead of the transportation equipment 20, 24 described above, an elevator 22 as shown in FIG. 11( a) may be employed as equipment for allowing users Q and others to enter and exit the training facility 9. The elevator 22 is located at the bottom of the floor 10 and extends along the rotation axis A. The elevator 22 differs from the elevator 21 ( FIG. 4 ) described above in that it can rotate around its own axis relative to the rotor 5. This rotation allows the relative rotational speed between the elevator 22 and the base 3 to be zero, allowing the user Q to safely transfer between the base 3 and the car 22d. Furthermore, when the user Q transfers between the floor 10 and the car 22d, the rotation of the elevator 22 relative to the rotor 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. However, since this rotation is relatively slow, for example, at about 3 rpm, the user Q can relatively easily transfer between the base 3 and the car 22d at the transfer gate 22b. In addition to the transportation facility 20 or the transportation facility 24, an elevator 22 may be provided.

[0073] Furthermore, the floor surface 10 of the rotating body 5 in the hypergravity facility 1 does not need to form the entire paraboloid of revolution, but may form a portion 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 portion of the paraboloid of revolution in the axial direction, or as shown in FIG. 11( c), it may have a shape obtained by further cutting out a portion of the paraboloid of revolution in the circumferential direction. Note that, in such a floor surface 10, in order to ensure sufficient freedom of movement of the user Q in the training area 9 as described above, it is preferable that the size of the floor surface 10 be 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 entire spherical surface, but may form a portion of a spherical surface.

[0074] Furthermore, 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 purposes such as increasing the capacity of the training area 9. In the example shown in the figure, the building 51 is four stories tall and is constructed at point K on the floor surface 10. The floor surfaces of each floor of the building 51 are arranged vertically (in the direction of the rotation axis A). The floor surfaces of each floor of the building 51 are parallel to the floor surface 10 at point K. That is, the radius of rotation and orientation of the floor surfaces of each floor are all equal to the radius of rotation and orientation of point K. Here, as can be seen from the above equations (d), (e), and (f), the magnitude and direction of the artificial gravity F depend on the x-coordinate (radius of rotation) of that point. Therefore, 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 point K. Therefore, on the floor surface of each floor, an artificial gravity F perpendicular to the floor surface and of the same magnitude as the floor surface 10 at point K is obtained. Therefore, on the floor of each floor of the building 51, training similar to that on the floor 10 at the point K can be performed.

[0075] For example, the hypergravity facilities 1 and 1B are not limited to applications for training under hypergravity, but can also be used for applications aiming at medical effects such as preventing osteoporosis, improving bone density, improving blood flow, improving optic nerves, improving visual reflexes, and rehabilitation. The hypergravity facilities 1 and 1B can also be used as hypergravity resistance training facilities, amusement facilities, scientific experiment facilities for science education, and the like. The hypergravity facilities 1 and 1B can also be used as simulated living experience facilities to confirm the comfort of extraterrestrial celestial bodies with greater gravity than Earth. Furthermore, when considering an artificial gravity facility that reproduces Earth-like gravity (1G) on celestial bodies with less gravity than Earth (e.g., the Moon, Mars, etc.), the hypergravity facilities 1 and 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 conducted by adjusting parameters such as the rotation speed of the rotor 5 and the air pressure inside the training area 9. Furthermore, by making the interior of the rotor 5 a closed space, it is possible to confirm changes in air quality due to frequent human activity and the operational responsiveness of the ECLSS system (human space stay technology (life support and environmental control technology)), a regenerative ecosystem support system. Furthermore, by using the hypergravity facilities 1 and 1B, it is possible to predict gravity problems on extraterrestrial bodies by confirming the growth of microorganisms, insects, small animals, plants, etc. under hypergravity conditions.

[0077] 1, 1B... hypergravity facility, 5... rotating body, 10... floor surface (base 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. An hypergravity facility that generates artificial gravity on Earth that is greater than the Earth's gravity, 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 the combined force of the Earth's gravity and the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor, wherein 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.

2. The hypergravity facility according to claim 1, wherein the base surface is at least a part of a paraboloid of revolution formed by rotating a parabola around the axis of rotation.

3. Let p [m] be the height from the base of the paraboloid of revolution to the focus, and let G [m / s 2 ], the rotation speed Ns [rpm] of the rotor is expressed by the following formula (1):

4. A hypergravity facility as described in claim 1, comprising: a moving body that moves around the outside of the rotating body in the circumferential direction of the rotating body; and an entry / exit section that is installed on the rotating body and is capable of moving people or items being carried in from the moving body to the inside of the rotating body through the base surface, and is also capable of moving people or items being carried out from the inside of the rotating body to the outside through the base surface and onto the moving body.

5. The hypergravity facility described in claim 4, wherein the moving body is a vehicle that moves in the circumferential direction of the rotating body on a track that is immobile relative to the Earth and located outside the rotating body, the track in a cross-sectional view including the rotation axis has a shape that moves away from the rotation axis in the radial direction of rotation the higher it goes, the tangent to the lower end of the track in the cross-sectional view is approximately horizontal, and the tangent to the upper end of the track 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.

6. The hypergravity facility described in claim 1, wherein the foundation surface is provided with a plurality of partition walls that rise in the direction of the artificial gravity and divide the foundation surface in a meridian direction, and when viewed from the direction of the artificial gravity, the partition walls are composed of a portion that extends circumferentially of the rotating body and a portion that extends in the meridian direction, and each area divided by the partition walls is composed of an alternating series of wide room portions in the meridian direction and connecting passages that connect the room portions in the circumferential direction of rotation.

7. The hypergravity facility according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the partition wall extending in the meridian direction is provided with an entrance / exit that allows movement between adjacent areas.

8. The hypergravity facility according to claim 1, wherein the base surface is at least a part of a sphere having a center on the axis of rotation.

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