VR Motion Platform Bearing for Compact 6-DOF Rotation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current VR motion platforms are large, heavy, and costly, limiting their use due to high mechanical noise, inability to perform rotation, and requiring high-power drives, making them unsuitable for personal use or widespread application, especially in scenarios needing lifting or movement under a rail.
Innovation Solution
A VR motion control method that uses a multi-dimensional motion platform with a thrust universal spherical plain bearing to enable rotation and free swing in all directions, combined with a head rotation tracking system to automatically follow the operator's head movements, reducing the need for high-power drives and minimizing platform size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a six-degree of freedom platform is used to implement finer motion control and axial rotation, then motion control precision is improved, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The motion platform is divided into multiple independent degrees of freedom, each controlled by separate motors. The platform includes a first degree of freedom for tilting motion, a second degree of freedom for rotating motion, and a third degree of freedom for lifting motion, allowing incremental complexity management while achieving six-degree of freedom capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds rotational motion capability to traditional three-degree of freedom platforms by introducing a rotating mechanism around the vertical axis. This dimensional extension transforms the platform from planar motion only to spatial motion, enabling six-degree of freedom control without proportionally increasing overall device size
2Power
If high-power drives are used to ensure normal work of the platform, then power is improved, but mechanical noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical transmission systems with direct-drive motors for each degree of freedom. This eliminates complex mechanical linkages, gears, and belts that generate noise, while maintaining high power output capability through modern motor technology
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts motor power output based on real-time motion requirements. Instead of continuously operating at high power, motors activate only when motion is needed and modulate power levels according to the specific motion demands, reducing overall noise while maintaining capability
3Ease of manufacture
If three electric cylinders are used as motion platform drive, then device cost is reduced, but rotation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electric cylinders that serve multiple functions: they provide both lifting motion and rotational capability through a combined mechanism. The electric cylinders are integrated with a rotating platform, allowing the same actuator to achieve both vertical displacement and angular rotation, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness while gaining rotational versatility
4Force
If electric cylinders are used for bearing, then lifting capability is improved, but overall weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bearing function from the electric cylinders and assigns it to a dedicated bearing platform. The electric cylinders are responsible only for lifting, while the bearing platform handles support and rotation, separating functions to reduce overall system weight while maintaining lifting capability
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 solution allows for a compact, cost-effective VR motion platform that can simulate complex motions, including rotation and swinging, without the need for high mechanical noise, enabling more versatile and user-friendly applications.
Implementation Method 1
a special thrust universal spherical plain bearing is required to share gravity with other structures, so as to achieve functions of swinging and rotating in all directions
Data Source
AI summary
A system for virtual reality (VR) motion control includes a multi-dimensional motion platform and a thrust universal spherical plain bearing. The VR motion control method includes: setting parameters; calibrating a device; obtaining parameters; receiving a head-mounted display device tracking packet and/or an action control packet; determining whether a real-time angle difference is greater than a set dead zone angle; and calculating a difference between a current angle of a head-mounted display device and a current status of the multi-dimensional motion platform, and feeding the difference into an action control system of the multi-dimensional motion platform, to eliminate the difference. The multi-dimensional motion platform uses single-point bearing or single-point lifting bearing and lever traction-type transmission, thereby realizing functions of swinging and rotating in all directions. The thrust universal spherical plain bearing integrates a common thrust universal spherical plain bearing with a plane thrust bearing.