Compact Motion Platform Using Bell Cranks and Rotary Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion simulators, such as Stewart platforms, are bulky and often require special accommodations, with some lacking full six degrees of freedom, and tend to exceed movement limits despite their size.
Innovation Solution
A motion platform design featuring a first linear slideway, a rotary table, bell cranks with independently actuated arms, and legs connecting the bell cranks to a platform, allowing for independent movement in heave, pitch, roll, and yaw without exceeding movement limits, while being more compact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a Stewart platform is used to provide six degrees of freedom motion, then all degrees of freedom (heave, sway, surge, pitch, yaw, roll) are available, but the platform becomes very bulky and requires special building accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The motion platform is segmented into independent functional modules: a linear slideway for surge motion, a rotary table for yaw motion, and bell cranks for pitch and roll motions. Each module independently provides specific degrees of freedom, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive motion capability while keeping each component compact and avoiding the bulky monolithic structure of a Stewart platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a serial arrangement of motion modules along different spatial dimensions rather than a parallel configuration. The linear slideway operates along one axis, the rotary table rotates about a perpendicular axis, and bell cranks provide motion in additional dimensions, creating a compact multi-dimensional motion system that avoids the large footprint of conventional parallel mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a simulator is made large to accommodate full motion range, then movement limits are sufficient, but the simulator becomes very large and may still exceed movement limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs independently actuated bell cranks with adjustable linkages that can dynamically adapt their motion ranges. The independent actuation mechanisms allow each degree of freedom to be controlled within optimal limits, providing sufficient movement range for realistic simulation while keeping the physical dimensions compact through dynamic adjustment rather than static oversizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell cranks serve multiple functions: they provide pitch and roll motions, enable independent control of each degree of freedom, and allow adjustment of motion ranges. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each motion type, reducing overall system size while maintaining adequate movement capabilities for various simulation scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If bell cranks with independent actuation are used, then each degree of freedom can be independently controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bell cranks combine multiple motion functions into single mechanical components. Each bell crank integrates pitch and roll actuation through shared pivot points and linkages, reducing the number of separate mechanisms needed. The independent actuation is achieved through coordinated control of these merged components rather than completely separate systems, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining independent control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A motion platform for use in a simulator comprising linear slides providing surge and sway, and a rotary table providing yaw. A payload carrying platform is mounted on the rotary table via three bell cranks to provide heave, pitch and roll.