Motion Platform with Balance Assemblies for Actuator Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion simulators require large and costly actuators to support the weight and movement of enclosures, as they must handle the entire weight and motion of occupants, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A motion platform design that includes a support platform with a substantially upright strut and balance assemblies to counteract forces, reducing the load on actuators by maintaining near neutral equilibrium, allowing for six degrees of freedom movement with smaller, less expensive actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire weight of the enclosure and occupants is supported solely by the actuators, then the motion platform can achieve six degrees of freedom movement, but the actuators must be large and costly to handle the full weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between multiple components: the upright strut supports vertical weight, the first balance assembly counteracts longitudinal and lateral forces, and the second balance assembly counteracts pivotal forces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall load requirement on individual actuators while maintaining six degrees of freedom capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance assemblies function as counterweight mechanisms that generate opposing forces to neutralize the effects of payload movement and positioning. The resilient members and tether lines create counterbalancing forces that offset the weight and movement forces, allowing actuators to focus on motion rather than weight support.
2Reliability
If large actuators are used to support the entire weight, then the required motion can be achieved, but the system becomes costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into specialized components: vertical strut for weight bearing, first balance assembly with resilient members for lateral/longitudinal balancing, and second balance assembly with tether lines for pivotal balancing. This segmentation enables each component to be smaller and less expensive while collectively providing the same reliability as a single large actuator system.
3Force
If the payload is moved with balance assemblies counteracting forces, then the load on actuators is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balance assemblies are designed to automatically counteract forces through passive mechanical means. The resilient members and tether lines self-adjust based on payload position and movement, providing force counteraction without requiring active control systems or additional power, thus limiting the increase in operational complexity despite adding structural components.
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
Enables the payload to be moved with minimal effort on the part of the actuators, maintaining stability and balance across all movements, allowing for smaller, lower-cost actuators to be used, and enabling the payload to be maintained in a tilted or offset position with reduced load on the actuators.
Implementation Method 1
Each resilient member preferably includes one or more elastic elements, for example elastic cords
Implementation Method 2
The second balance assembly includes three or more tether lines having a first end connected to the support platform or the payload
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for maintaining a support platform (5) and a payload mountable thereon in near neutral equilibrium relative to a base structure (3), the support platform (5) being spaced from the base structure (3) by a plurality of actuators which provide the support platform (5) with six degrees of freedom relative to the base structure about longitudinal, lateral and vertical axes, the apparatus (1) including: a substantially upright strut mountable between the base structure (3) and support platform (5) for supporting the weight of the support platform (5) and payload, a first balance assembly for counteracting forces imparted on the strut when the payload is moved longitudinally and/or laterally with respect to the base structure, a second balance assembly for counteracting forces imparted on the support platform when the payload is pivoted about the longitudinal and/or lateral axes with respect to the base structure, wherein the forces counteracted by the first balance assembly and the second balance assembly reduce the load imparted on the actuators by the payload.