Portable VR Pilot Training System with 6-DOF Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flight simulators are costly, complex, and not widely available for general aviation pilots, lacking realism and motion cues, which limits their training effectiveness and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A portable and immersive pilot training system with a six-degree-of-freedom seat, head-mounted display, and network-connected simulation software that meets FAA standards, allowing remote training and flexible location use, including a kit that can be easily assembled and shipped for use at user-selected locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flight simulators are used, then training realism and motion cues are provided, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flight simulator into separate functional modules: a motion simulation module (six-degree-of-freedom seat), a visual simulation module (head-mounted display with virtual reality), and a control module (flight controller). This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining training effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the flight environment and aircraft dynamics through software simulation, which is then displayed on a head-mounted display. This virtual copying approach provides realistic training scenarios without requiring physical replicas of aircraft, significantly reducing hardware complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If conventional flight simulators are used, then training realism is achieved, but cost becomes prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses software to create a virtual copy of flight scenarios and aircraft physics, eliminating the need for expensive physical replica aircraft or large-scale mechanical simulators. This virtual copying approach maintains training realism while dramatically reducing manufacturing and equipment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical flight simulation hardware with electronic and software-based simulation. Instead of using physical aircraft or large mechanical motion systems, the invention uses a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform combined with virtual reality graphics and computational flight dynamics, significantly reducing cost.
3Reliability
If fixed-location simulators are used, then training realism is provided, but accessibility and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed-location simulator to a dynamic, mobile training platform. The six-degree-of-freedom motion platform can be relocated to different positions and orientations as needed, and the virtual reality system can be deployed in various locations, providing flexibility and adaptability while maintaining training effectiveness.
4Device complexity
If small-scale simulation software is used, then device complexity is reduced, but realism and training suitability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the simulation into separate high-fidelity modules: a sophisticated flight dynamics model for realistic aircraft behavior, a six-degree-of-freedom motion system for authentic physical feedback, and a virtual reality display for immersive visuals. This segmentation allows complex realism to be achieved through coordinated simple components rather than a single complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
A pilot training system includes a training terminal integrated with a pilot training seat with a seat pan having six degrees of freedom, wherein the training terminal is configured to exclusively provide and render a simulated flight-training environment and to output control signals to synchronize movement of the seat pan with the simulated environment. The system is transportable so that it can be used to provide flight training at a user-selected and repositionable location. The system also may include an instructor terminal located at an instructor site. The training site and the instructor site can be remotely located. The instructor may provide remote instruction or training to a trainee, for example by sending instruction inputs to the training terminal over the network in order to control aspects of the simulated environment.