Wedge-Based Motion Control Apparatus for Stiff Six-DOF Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion control simulators face challenges in providing high levels of heave and surge with rocker arm designs, which result in a lack of stiffness and poor displacement, velocity, and frequency response bandwidth, making it difficult to simulate realistic horizontal forces and accelerations experienced in vehicles like motor racing cars.
Innovation Solution
A motion control apparatus with a wedge-based height controller that allows the first support to move translationally along an inclined path relative to the second support, providing a wedging action to control height and enabling good displacement, velocity, and frequency bandwidth, along with a 2:1 motion ratio, using small and lightweight motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rocker arm arrangement is used to control motion, then the apparatus can provide six degrees of freedom movement, but the system lacks stiffness which makes it difficult to achieve good displacement, velocity and frequency response bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The motion control apparatus is divided into multiple independent height controllers, each managing a specific support point. Each height controller uses a wedge mechanism that independently controls the height of a first support relative to a second support, allowing six degrees of freedom movement while maintaining system stiffness through distributed control points.
Solution Approach 2:
A wedge mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the first support and second support. The wedge converts horizontal motion into vertical height control with a wedging action, providing a stiff mechanical connection that eliminates the flexibility problems of rocker arm arrangements while enabling full six degrees of freedom motion control.
2Force
If relatively large motors are used to provide high levels of heave and surge with rocker arms, then the desired range of motion is achieved, but the system becomes less stiff and response bandwidth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional rocker arm mechanical system is replaced with a wedge-based height controller system. The wedge mechanism provides a direct mechanical advantage that amplifies motor output forces efficiently, allowing small and lightweight motors to generate high levels of heave and surge forces while maintaining system stiffness through the rigid wedge geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical advantage ratio is changed by using a wedge with a specific inclination angle that provides a 2:1 motion ratio. This parameter change allows the system to multiply motor forces effectively, enabling small motors to produce high forces while the wedge's rigid structure maintains system stiffness and improves response bandwidth.
3Stability of the object's composition
If small and lightweight motors are used with the wedge mechanism, then system stiffness is improved and response bandwidth increases, but the ability to provide high forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge acts as a force-amplifying intermediary between the small motor and the load. The wedging action converts the motor's horizontal force into vertical lifting force with mechanical advantage, allowing small motors to generate forces sufficient for high-level heave and surge while the rigid wedge structure maintains system stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an inclined plane geometry that transforms the force vector from horizontal (motor output) to vertical (load support). This dimensional transformation allows small motors to efficiently generate high vertical forces through the wedge's inclined surface, resolving the contradiction between motor size and force output capability.
4Speed
If a wedge mechanism is used to control height with a 2:1 motion ratio, then displacement and velocity response bandwidth are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls height, provides mechanical advantage for force amplification, establishes a 2:1 motion ratio for improved bandwidth, and maintains system stiffness. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, offsetting the apparent complexity increase with functional consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge mechanism is designed to automatically maintain the 2:1 motion ratio and mechanical advantage throughout its range of motion through its geometric configuration. The inclined plane geometry self-regulates the force and motion transformation without requiring complex control systems, reducing operational complexity despite the enhanced performance capabilities.
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 achieves exceptionally good performance in all six degrees of freedom, including surge and heave, with a stiffer system that can simulate high levels of heave and surge, and provides a more linear motor force response curve compared to rocker arm designs, enhancing the realism of motion simulations.
Implementation Method 1
the height controller incorporates a wedge arranged for wedgingly controlling the height of the first support relative to the second support with a wedging action
Data Source
AI summary
A motion simulator (10) has a body tub (12) fixed on a carrier platform (14), the carrier platform being supported via motion control apparatus (52, 54, 56, 58), each having bearings which translate along an inclined path, the motion control apparatuses together providing six degrees of motion for the carrier platform.