Endless-Rail Motion Platform for Stable 6-DOF Infinite Yaw
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movement platforms with infinite rotational movement are complex, have low stability, and limited workspace, making them unsuitable for applications like automotive driving simulation.
Innovation Solution
A movement platform system with an overdetermined design using two or more endless rails connected to a base, each equipped with multiple motors connected to the platform via push-pull rods, allowing for increased stability and a larger workspace through decoupling of platform degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If six motors are used on a circular rail as in prior art, then the platform can move along 6 degrees of freedom, but the system becomes complex with low stability and limited workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the six degrees of freedom into two independent sets: three translational degrees of freedom controlled by motors on a circular rail, and three rotational degrees of freedom controlled by motors on a square rail. This segmentation allows each rail system to focus on specific movements, reducing overall system complexity while improving stability through dedicated control mechanisms for each degree of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single circular rail configuration to a three-dimensional arrangement combining a circular rail (for translational movements) and a square rail (for rotational movements). This dimensional expansion allows independent control of translational and rotational degrees of freedom, resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity by adding spatial separation to control functions.
2Reliability
If more motors are added to increase payload capacity and stability, then the system becomes overdetermined and more stable, but the complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent controllers: one managing the circular rail motors for translational movements and another managing the square rail motors for rotational movements. This segmentation of control functions simplifies the overall control architecture despite having eight motors, as each controller handles only three degrees of freedom independently, avoiding the complexity of coordinating all eight motors for all six degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-assigns specific motors to specific degrees of freedom based on their rail configuration: circular rail motors are preliminarily assigned to translational movements while square rail motors are assigned to rotational movements. This preliminary assignment simplifies real-time control by eliminating the need for dynamic coordination between all motors, reducing control difficulty while maintaining the overdetermined stable structure.
3Area of stationary object
If a single circular rail with six motors is used, then the structure is simpler, but the workspace is limited and collisions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the rail configuration by placing the square rail above or below the circular rail in three-dimensional space. This vertical separation expands the available workspace by allowing motors to access different radial positions without colliding, while the modular two-rail structure keeps the configuration manageable despite the increased spatial complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The workspace is segmented into two distinct zones: one controlled by the circular rail for translational movements and another controlled by the square rail for rotational movements. This spatial segmentation of functionality allows each rail to operate in its optimized zone without interfering with the other, expanding the total usable workspace while maintaining relatively simple individual rail configurations.
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 system provides higher stability, increased payload capacity, and a larger, more symmetric workspace while maintaining control bandwidth, reducing complexity and avoiding collisions, with a controller managing force imbalances.
Implementation Method 1
Six linear motors are disclosed which can run along a circular rail
Implementation Method 2
Each motor is connected to the platform by a rod
Data Source
AI summary
A movement platform system comprising a base, a platform movable relative to said base and allowing an infinite yaw movement comprising an endless rail following a closed curve to which rail a number of motors is movably connected. The motors in turn are connected to the platform by means of a push-pull rod. The movement platform system is an overdetermined movement platform system, comprising one or more bases, a platform movable along 6 degrees of freedom and allowing an infinite yaw movement. To each endless rail of a set of two endless rails four or more motors are movably connected and wherein each motor is connected to the platform by means of the push-pull rod.