Flight Simulation Harness Weight Distribution Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight simulation systems lack the ability to provide an immersive and non-scripted experience for users, failing to accurately replicate the position or orientation of human-portable flight vehicles in a simulated environment, which limits the realism and interaction with virtual worlds.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a 6 degree of freedom (6 DOF) device coupled with a multi-point harness that detects shifts in weight distribution and limb position, generating virtual physics parameters to simulate thrust vectors and provide haptic feedback, combined with air-flow inducing devices and virtual reality displays for an immersive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flight simulation systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the immersion and realism of the simulated flight experience are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple simulation technologies including 6 DOF motion platforms, virtual reality displays, wind tunnel effects, and haptic feedback systems into an integrated flight simulation system. This merging of diverse subsystems creates a comprehensive immersive environment that realistically replicates flight experiences while maintaining manageable system architecture through modular integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system is designed to replicate multiple aspects of flight simultaneously - visual scenery through VR displays, physical motion through 6 DOF platform, atmospheric effects through wind tunnels, and tactile feedback through haptic systems. This multi-functional approach enables a single system to provide comprehensive flight immersion across multiple sensory modalities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If scripted flight paths are used, then the flight trajectory is predictable and easy to control, but the interaction with virtual worlds becomes limited and less engaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms where user actions in the virtual environment are immediately reflected through corresponding physical sensations on the motion platform. This bidirectional feedback loop allows users to naturally interact with the virtual world through intuitive body movements while the system adapts the simulation response in real-time, creating engaging non-scripted experiences without requiring complex manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system automatically interprets user intent through sensor data from motion capture technology and translates these intentions into appropriate flight responses. This self-service capability allows the system to handle complex control calculations and trajectory adjustments automatically, enabling natural user interaction without requiring users to manually manage complex control parameters.
3Measurement precision
If detailed detection of weight distribution and limb position is implemented, then the precision of thrust vector simulation is improved, but the measurement and detection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into separate functional modules - weight distribution sensors positioned at specific harness points, limb position sensors on individual body segments, and orientation sensors on the motion platform. This segmentation allows each sensor type to be optimized independently and simplifies the integration architecture, making complex measurements manageable through systematic modular deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs intermediary processing systems that aggregate and interpret data from multiple sensors. These intermediary layers process raw sensor signals, filter noise, and translate complex sensor arrays into meaningful physical parameters such as center of gravity position and limb orientation, thereby reducing the complexity of direct sensor integration while maintaining high measurement precision.
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
This solution enables users to interact with a virtual world in a non-scripted manner, simulating realistic human flight experiences with precise control over trajectory and orientation, enhancing the realism and immersion of flight simulations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor circuit integrated with a user-facing surface of the multi-point harness to detect changes in distribution of weight across the user-facing surface
Implementation Method 2
air-flow inducing devices for generating air flow to provide haptic or tactile feedback to impart to the user a sense of velocity whilst traversing a trajectory of a simulated flight
Implementation Method 3
a multi-point harness coupled to the 6 DOF device, the multi-point harness configured to suspend a user above a ground surface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for flight simulation, and methods for operating the same. The system may include a 6 degree of freedom devices, a multi-point harness configured to suspend a user above a ground surface, and a sensor circuit integrated with a user-facing surface of the multi-point harness to detect changes in distribution of weight across the user-facing surface. The system includes a processor coupled to the sensor circuit, where the processor may be configured to: detect a shift in weight distribution across the user-facing surface of the multi-point harness. The processor may generate at least one virtual physics parameter associated with the detected shift in weight distribution. The at least one virtual physics parameter representing a force associated with a change in center of gravity of the user. The processor may modulate the 6 DOF device to orient the multi-point harness based on at least one virtual physics parameter to simulate a resultant trajectory of the user during the flight simulation.