Expandable Trailer Projection Simulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transportable training simulators are limited by their size, requiring special permits for transport, and often necessitate assembly outside a trailer, which is labor-intensive and reduces immersion due to the use of head-mounted displays (HMDs) that restrict interaction and peripheral vision, and create discontinuities in the virtual environment.
Innovation Solution
A transportable simulator housed in an expandable trailer with multiple screen assemblies and projectors that project a virtual landscape, allowing trainees to view the environment from within a mock cabin without HMDs, enabling interaction with physical items and providing an immersive experience by expanding the trailer's interior space to accommodate larger screen assemblies and projector systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the simulator is housed in a standard sized trailer, then transportability is improved, but the interior space is insufficient to accommodate large screen assemblies and mock cabins without assembly outside the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is designed with expandable walls that can transition from a compact configuration for transport to an expanded configuration for operation. This dynamic structure allows the same trailer to meet both transportability requirements and provide sufficient interior space for large screen assemblies and mock cabins during training operations.
2Volume of stationary object
If the simulator is assembled outside the trailer, then the interior space requirement is satisfied, but labor intensity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable wall mechanism allows the simulator components to be stored within the trailer in a compact state and then deployed by simply expanding the walls, eliminating the need for labor-intensive assembly outside the trailer and reducing setup time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen assemblies and simulator components are nested within the trailer in a compact arrangement during transport, and the expandable walls provide the necessary space for operation without requiring external assembly, effectively nesting the solution within the trailer itself.
3Volume of stationary object
If head-mounted displays are used, then the trailer size can be reduced, but immersion and interaction capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using head-mounted displays that limit the field of view, the system uses large screen assemblies that wrap around the mock cabin to provide a 360-degree immersive environment. This dimensional approach to display coverage eliminates the need for HMDs while maintaining immersion and interaction capability.
4Ease of operation
If the simulator is made more complex to provide immersive environment, then training quality is improved, but transportability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable trailer provides a dynamic solution that allows the simulator to have complex immersive features during operation while maintaining transportability during transit. The same structure that enables large screen assemblies and mock cabins can be compacted for standard highway transport without special permits.
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 solution allows for efficient transportation and rapid setup of a fully immersive training environment without the need for special permits, enabling realistic multi-person training simulations with improved interaction and immersion, reducing training costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
The side of the trailer is expandable to increase an interior space of the trailer. The expandable trailer includes multiple panels that move from a compact position to an expanded position
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of projectors are positioned to project images onto the screen assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable projection-based simulator is expanded on one or both sides. Bowl-like screen assemblies partially surround a mock cabin within the simulator. A combination of projectors and mirrors reflect images of a virtual landscape onto the screen assemblies. A trainee within the mock cabin can lean out of the mock cabin and look down at the image of the virtual landscape projected onto the portion of the screen assembly below without interfering with the projection of that image.