Pivoting Arm Apparatus for Simulating Weightlessness
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no safe, economical, and accessible way for humans on Earth to experience weightlessness similar to that felt by astronauts during parabolic flights, which creates a need for an apparatus that can simulate this sensation while walking or running.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a frame with a steerable front wheel, a pivoting arm, a seat, and biasing members such as springs, elastic bands, and a damper that influence the pivoting motion of the arm, allowing users to make leaping strides and experience a sense of weightlessness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parabolic flight is used to create weightlessness, then the sensation of weightlessness is achieved, but the method is unsafe, expensive, and inaccessible for average humans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical system (frame with pivoting arm and biasing members) that mediates between the user's weight and the ground reaction force, creating a controlled weightlessness experience without requiring parabolic flight. The biasing members act as intermediaries that store and release energy to simulate weightless conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing members (springs) provide an upward counteracting force that opposes the user's weight, creating periods where the net force on the user approaches zero, simulating weightlessness. This counterweight mechanism replaces the need for parabolic flight's free-fall condition.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical system is designed to simulate weightlessness, then accessibility and safety improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: it supports the user's weight, provides the pivoting mechanism for the arm, mounts the biasing members, and enables forward motion through wheels. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic pivoting motion of the arm combined with the elastic properties of the biasing members to create varying force conditions that simulate weightlessness. The dynamic interaction between the user's movements and the spring forces creates the weightless sensation without requiring complex control systems.
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 enables users to simulate weightlessness by allowing leaping strides while walking or running, providing a unique experience suitable for training or amusement, and is safe and economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
The pivoting arm has a pair of springs, a pair of elastic bands, and a damper that span between the frame and the arm
Implementation Method 2
The pivoting arm has a pair of springs, a pair of elastic bands, and a damper that span between the frame and the arm
Implementation Method 3
The pivoting arm has a pair of springs, a pair of elastic bands, and a damper that span between the frame and the arm
Implementation Method 4
While following this path, the aircraft and its payload are in free fall at certain points of its flight path
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes: a frame, a pivoting arm, a seat, and one or more biasing members. The frame includes a front wheel and a rear wheel, the front wheel being steerable. The pivoting arm pivotally attaches to the frame. The seat is attached to the pivoting arm. Lastly, the one or more biasing members span between the frame and the pivoting arm and influence the pivoting motion of the pivoting arm relative to the frame. In use, the apparatus is able to provide a user with a sense of weightlessness while the user travels forward by foot.