Bird Flight Motion Platform with Pivotal Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight simulation technologies fail to provide an immersive and realistic experience, particularly in simulating bird flight, as they lack the ability to effectively replicate the movements and sensations associated with flying, such as wing flapping and spatial disorientation.
Innovation Solution
A motion platform device with a base frame and a moving platform that allows pivotal movement around a central point, featuring a central chest rest, thigh rest, and lateral wings with sensors and actuators to simulate the motion of bird flight, including fan-assisted air flow and tactile feedback, controlled by an electronic unit to generate a virtual environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional flight simulator with embedded user position is used, then the user is securely positioned, but the immersion and realism of bird flight simulation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The user support structure is segmented into multiple independent components: a base frame with mounted platform, separate thigh rests, footrests, and pivotal wings. This segmentation allows each component to move independently to replicate specific flight motions while maintaining overall user stability, resolving the contradiction between secure positioning and flight realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static embedded position to a dynamic configuration where the platform and wings can pivot and move relative to each other. The pivotal connection between wings and platform enables dynamic adjustment of wing position to simulate bird flight maneuvers, enhancing immersion while maintaining user stability through controlled motion ranges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a harness with ropes is used to support the user body, then the user can move freely to simulate bird flight, but the immersion and realism of flight sensation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mounted platform acts as an intermediary between the user and the motion system. It provides a stable reference frame that moves with the wings during pivotal motion, creating the sensation of flight without requiring complete body freedom. This intermediary structure delivers realistic flight sensations while maintaining user stability and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension of motion by allowing the wings to pivot relative to the platform in addition to the platform's movement. This creates multi-axis motion that replicates complex bird flight maneuvers, enhancing immersion while the platform provides a stable base that maintains reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent motion components are added to simulate bird flight movements, then the flight simulation realism is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple motion functions are merged into a coordinated system where the platform and wings share a common pivotal connection point. This integration allows complex flight motions to be achieved through coordinated movement of unified components rather than completely separate systems, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining simulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal connection between wings and platform creates spherical motion capability, allowing the wings to rotate freely in multiple directions around a central point. This spherical joint design enables complex flight maneuvers with a single mechanical connection, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining high adaptability for various flight simulations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a more immersive flight simulation experience by accurately replicating the movements and sensations of bird flight, enhancing user engagement through precise control of the platform's motion and virtual environment feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a fan, attached at and in front of the moving platform and adapted to direct a stream of air towards the head of a user positioned on the moving platform
Implementation Method 2
the mounts are adapted to allow a relative pivotal movement of the user position surface around a central point, being especially a spherical joint
Data Source
AI summary
A motion platform device for flight simulation comprises: a base frame, a moving platform, which is spaced apart from said base frame and which has a user position surface opposing to the base frame, and a number of mounts connected to the base frame and connected with the moving platform, wherein the mounts are adapted to allow a relative movement of the user position surface, especially pivoting around a central point in three directions. The user is lying on the surface and actuates the flying movement through lateral inner wings and/or lateral outer wings.