VR Navigation Controller with Pneumatic Displacement Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual-reality simulation systems fail to provide cost-effective and adequate motion simulation with fewer mechanical parts, leading to insufficient vestibular, proprioceptive, and somatosensory sensations, which results in simulator sickness and are impractical due to their large size and expense.
Innovation Solution
A virtual-reality navigation controller with a base and seating portion that includes a displacement connector using compressible fluid and check-valves to simulate pitch, yaw, and vertical motion, along with a motion-detection controller to measure and communicate these motions to the virtual-reality device, providing synchronized vestibular, proprioceptive, and somatosensory sensations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional motion simulation systems are used to provide adequate vestibular, proprioceptive, and somatosensory sensations, then simulator sickness is reduced, but the system becomes expensive and complex with many mechanical parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a displacement connector containing compressible fluid (nitrogen gas) with a piston mechanism to provide motion simulation. The fluid compressibility allows the system to generate vestibular, proprioceptive, and somatosensory sensations without complex mechanical linkages, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining simulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical motion simulation systems with a pneumatic displacement connector system. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple mechanical parts, motors, and linkages while still providing adequate motion cues to reduce simulator sickness
2Reliability
If motion simulation systems with adequate components are implemented, then vestibular and proprioceptive sensations are provided, but the system size becomes large and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement connector uses compressible fluid (nitrogen gas) contained in a cylindrical housing to provide motion simulation. This pneumatic system achieves adequate motion simulation capability in a compact form factor, avoiding the large size associated with traditional mechanical motion platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement connector serves multiple functions: it provides vestibular sensations through fluid compression, proprioceptive feedback through piston movement, and somatosensory stimulation through the seating portion motion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems for each sensation type, reducing overall system size
3Speed
If the seating portion moves upwards quickly to support user ascent, then user support is maintained, but the downward movement becomes problematic without proper control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs check valves in the displacement connector that automatically regulate fluid flow based on piston movement direction. During downward movement, the check valves control fluid flow to provide damping feedback, ensuring controlled descent. This passive feedback mechanism maintains reliability without requiring active sensors or controllers
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible fluid system with check valves provides asymmetric flow characteristics: allowing rapid upward movement for user support while restricting downward flow to enable controlled descent. The pneumatic system naturally provides the desired speed differential without additional mechanical complexity
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 effectively reduces simulator sickness by providing immersive and realistic motion simulations with fewer mechanical parts, maintaining a practical size and cost, while ensuring the user experiences synchronized physical and visual sensations.
Implementation Method 1
a displacement connector between the seating portion and the base to reciprocate the seating portion upwards and downwards... a cylindrical housing sealably containing a compressible fluid therein
Implementation Method 2
at least one check-valve configured to increase an amount of flow of the compressible fluid past the piston in a first direction to accelerate the piston and the seating portion upwards and configured to restrict the amount of flow of the compressible fluid past the piston in a second direction to decelerate the piston and the seating portion downwards
Implementation Method 3
a motion-detection controller to measure upwards and downwards displacement of the seating portion
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual-reality navigation controller includes a base and a seating portion. The seating portion includes a seat for supporting a weight of a user seated thereon, and a back-rest coupled to the seat to move integrally with the seat and to support the user's back. The virtual-reality navigation controller further includes a displacement connector between the seating portion and the base to reciprocate the seating portion upwards and downwards, and a motion-detection controller to measure upwards and downwards displacement of the seating portion. The displacement connector is configured to move the seating portion upwards along with the user to support the user when the user ascends from the seat during virtual-reality activities. The displacement connector is further configured to move the seating portion downwards at a slower maximum speed than the upwards movement, when the user's body rests back on the seat.