Microgravity Cable Apparatus with Tilt Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality technologies cannot effectively replicate microgravity environments such as those on the moon or Mars, and they also fail to minimize shaking phenomena during horizontal and vertical movements in such conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a frame unit, a wire unit with winches, tension measuring units, a position sensing unit, a support unit with a tilt compensation mechanism, and a control unit that adjusts wire tensions to simulate microgravity environments by controlling the forces applied to participants, minimizing shaking through precise adjustment of wire lengths and tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional virtual reality technologies are used to simulate microgravity environments, then the basic virtual reality experience can be provided, but the actual microgravity environment such as on the moon or Mars cannot be accurately reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by using multiple wires (three or more) extending from different directions to support the participant. The control unit calculates required tension forces for each wire based on the participant's position and weight, then adjusts wire lengths to create counterbalancing forces that simulate microgravity conditions, effectively counteracting the participant's weight to reproduce lunar or Martian gravity environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters dynamically by adjusting wire lengths and tension forces in real-time based on the participant's movements and position. The control unit continuously modifies the tension parameters of each wire to maintain the simulated microgravity condition, allowing accurate reproduction of different gravitational environments (Earth, Moon, Mars) by varying the force parameters.
2Ease of operation
If the participant performs horizontal and vertical movements in the microgravity condition, then the virtual reality experience is enhanced, but shaking phenomenon is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality principle by providing tension measuring units at each individual wire location to measure tension forces specific to that wire. The control unit then adjusts each wire's length and tension independently based on local measurements and the participant's specific movement, allowing precise control of each support point to minimize shaking while maintaining movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using tension measuring units to continuously monitor the tension force in each wire, then feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit calculates the required tension adjustments based on measured values and participant position, dynamically adjusting wire lengths to maintain stability and minimize shaking during participant movements in simulated microgravity.
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 apparatus successfully recreates microgravity environments and minimizes shaking, allowing participants to experience simulated movements like jumping, walking, and spinning in virtual spaces resembling the moon or Mars, while maintaining stability during horizontal and vertical forces.
Implementation Method 1
a tilt compensation unit for compensating the tilt of the support stand so that a bottom surface of the support stand is parallel to a bottom surface of the virtual space
Data Source
AI summary
The technical objective of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for driving a three-dimensional microgravity cable that can reproduce microgravity environments such as those experienced on the moon or Mars. To this end, the apparatus for driving a three-dimensional microgravity cable of the present disclosure comprises: a frame unit for forming a virtual space; a wire unit comprising three or more wires, provided at the frame unit; a winch unit for winding or unwinding each of the three or more wires; tension measuring units, respectively provided at the three or more wires, for measuring the tensions of the respective wires; a position sensing unit, provided at the frame unit, for sensing the position of a participant; and a support unit, positioned in the virtual space, for supporting the participant by the three or more wires.