Converging Support Leg Simulation Device for Transport Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing simulation devices for training personnel on means of transport are bulky, unrealistic, and primarily designed for simulating driving experiences rather than training healthcare professionals in emergency situations amidst vibrations and oscillations.

Innovation Solution

A simulation device with a compact, radially symmetrical design featuring three angularly equally spaced support legs with universal couplers and actuators, allowing for pitching, rolling, and height variation movements, and equipped with resilient means to reduce load on actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the simulation device uses legs that engage a perimeter edge and anchor on the ground away from the vertical axis, then it can reproduce transport movements, but it becomes radially bulky and requires significant height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement reproduction capabilityVSAvoidradial bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the support legs from a radial configuration (engaging perimeter edge) to a configuration where they converge toward the vertical axis, effectively changing the spatial dimension of the support structure. This dimensional reorganization allows the device to maintain movement reproduction capability while reducing radial footprint and overall height requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the simulation device is positioned at greater height than the chassis of a means of transport, then it can accommodate the structure, but it becomes cumbersome and unrealistic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure accommodationVSAvoidrealism and maneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By reconfiguring the support legs to converge toward the vertical axis rather than extending radially outward, the patent reduces the vertical height requirement of the simulation device. This allows the device to be positioned at or near chassis level, improving realism and ease of operation while maintaining the ability to accommodate transport structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the simulation device uses multiple support legs with actuators, then it can simulate vibrations and oscillations, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration simulation capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an asymmetric configuration where support legs converge toward the vertical axis rather than being symmetrically distributed at the perimeter. This asymmetric arrangement reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the capability to simulate vibrations and oscillations through coordinated actuator movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 simulation device effectively replicates the movements of land, air, or water transport, providing a realistic training environment for personnel to practice emergency procedures under conditions of vibration and oscillation, while being more compact and cost-effective than prior devices.

Implementation Method 1

simulating the oscillations and/or vibrations produced by a means of transport during a journey

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOscillation: Harmonic Oscillator

Implementation Method 2

reproduce the plurality of accelerations so as to simulate the travel of the means of transport

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4546308A1Simulation device
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 AMBUSIM SRL
  • EP4546308A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4546308A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4546308A1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a simulation device (1) suitable for simulating the movements produced by a means of transport during a journey. This simulation device (1) is suitable for resting on a base plane (B) and comprises a plurality of actuators (6a, 6b, 6c) and a plurality of support legs (2a, 2b, 2c) respectively provided with a universal coupler (5) and a carriage group (7a; 7b; 7c). Each leg (2a; 2b; 2c) of the plurality of support legs (2a, 2b, 2c) extends along a leg axis (L). The universal coupler (5) is suitable for connecting each leg (2a; 2b; 2c) to a simulation platform (3). Each actuator (6a; 6b; 6c) of the plurality of actuators (6a, 6b, 6c) is operatively connected to a respective leg (2a; 2b; 2c) of the plurality of support legs (2a, 2b, 2c) . The carriage group (7a; 7b; 7c) is suitable for connecting each leg (2a; 2b; 2c) to the respective actuator (6a; 6b; 6c). The plurality of support legs (2a, 2b, 2c) is oriented so that the leg axis (L) of each leg (2a; 2b; 2c) converges towards the base plane (B).