Vehicle Simulator Movable Support with Gravity Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle simulators struggle to provide a high-resolution and realistic reproduction of the six degrees of freedom of movement, leading to an inferior driving experience due to inadequate force transmission and gravity compensation.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle simulator incorporates a base support, a movable integral support, a plurality of actuators, a seating device, and a gravity compensation device comprising a lever member, a coupling rod, and an actuator. Additionally, the simulator features first and second actuators for variably adjusting the yaw axis and an outer shell made of fiber-reinforced plastic for reduced moving mass and enhanced dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional vehicle simulator uses standard support structures and actuators, then the device complexity is manageable, but the force transmission quality and gravity compensation are inadequate, resulting in inferior driving experience
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into a stationary base support and a movable integral support that can be independently positioned and oriented. This segmentation allows the movable support to be precisely controlled by multiple actuators, enabling accurate reproduction of six degrees of freedom movements while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A gravity compensation device is introduced to counteract the gravitational force acting on the movable integral support. This device uses a lever member and actuator to provide an opposing force that compensates for weight, enabling precise position control without the interfering effect of gravity, thereby improving force transmission quality to the driver.
2Speed
If the movable integral support uses conventional materials, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the moving mass is higher, reducing dynamic response and realism
Solution Approach 1:
The movable integral support is constructed using fiber-reinforced plastic, a composite material that combines high strength-to-weight ratio properties. This material choice reduces the moving mass compared to conventional metals while maintaining sufficient structural strength, thereby improving dynamic response and the realism of the driving experience without compromising safety.
3Measurement precision
If the simulator uses a single actuator for yaw adjustment, then the device complexity is lower, but the resolution and realism of six degrees of freedom reproduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The yaw adjustment function is segmented into multiple actuators positioned at different locations on the movable integral support. This segmentation allows independent control and precise positioning at multiple points, enabling high-resolution reproduction of yaw movements and other six degrees of freedom while maintaining the ability to manage system complexity through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple actuators are arranged in spatial dimensions (different positions and orientations) to collectively provide comprehensive control of the movable integral support. This dimensional arrangement enables precise reproduction of six degrees of freedom movements by combining the effects of multiple actuators working in different spatial directions, thereby improving resolution without requiring a single overly complex actuator.
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 described configuration significantly enhances the driving experience by providing a high-resolution and realistic reproduction of the six degrees of freedom, improving force transmission and gravity compensation, and allowing for more dynamic and realistic simulations.
Implementation Method 1
the gravity compensation device comprising a lever member, a coupling rod and an actuator
Implementation Method 2
The movable integral support comprises an outer shell made of a fiber-reinforced plastic
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a vehicle simulator includes a base support, a movable integral support, and a plurality of actuators. Each actuator is disposed between the base support and the movable integral support and is arranged to cause movement of the movable integral support relative to the base support. The vehicle simulator further includes a seat device rigidly connected to the movable integral support. The vehicle simulator further includes a first actuator arranged to cause a first force on the movable integral support in a transverse direction at a first position. The vehicle simulator further includes a second actuator arranged to apply a second force to the movable integral support in the transverse direction at a second position, the first position and the second position being spaced apart along a longitudinal direction.