MOTION SIMULATOR FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A motion simulator for an entertainment system has a movable platform with one or more viewing positions and a supporting element for spectators to lean against. The platform is mounted on a support so as to have limited movability. A drive for moving the movable platform relative to the support has a cable drive fastened on the one hand to the support and on the other hand via at least one attachment point to the platform. An energy storage device is fastened between the support and the platform. The drive device pivots the platform about a pivot axis oriented substantially orthogonally to a central axis. The attachment point of the energy storage device and the point(s) of the cable drive device to the platform are arranged between the first pivot axis and the front face. The energy storage device pushes against the bottom face of the platform.

Claims

1. A motion simulator for an entertainment system, the motion simulator comprising: a movable platform having a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a rear face, and a central axis extending from said rear face to said front face, wherein said top face having at least one viewing position with a supporting element for spectators to lean against; a support for said platform, said bottom face of said platform being mounted on said support so as to have limited movability; and a drive device for moving said movable platform relative to said support, said drive device including: a cable drive device for pulling said platform, said cable drive device being fastened to said support and to at least one attachment point at said platform; and an energy storage device fastened to said support and, via an energy storage device attachment point, to said platform; said platform being pivotable by said drive device about a first pivot axis oriented substantially orthogonally to said central axis; said energy storage device attachment point and said at least one attachment point attaching said cable drive device to said platform being arranged between said first pivot axis and said front face; and said energy storage device being disposed to push against said bottom face of said platform.

2. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein said support has a base, a first pivot bearing, and a pivot element connected to said platform and mounted on said first pivot bearing so as to be pivotable about the first pivot axis.

3. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein said energy storage device attachment point to said platform lies within a vertical plane enclosing the central axis.

4. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein said platform, upon a relaxation of said energy storage device, is mounted for tilting about said first pivot axis within a given pitch angle range of not more than 30°.

5. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein said support has a second pivot bearing for said platform, said second pivot bearing having a second pivot axis oriented parallel to said central axis and orthogonal to said first pivot axis.

6. The motion simulator according to claim 5, wherein said second pivot axis lies in a vertical plane enclosing said central axis.

7. The motion simulator according to claim 5, wherein said platform, by pulling the cable drive device, is tilted about said second pivot axis within a roll angle range of not more than 25°.

8. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein said cable drive device comprises a first cable drive unit and a second cable drive unit separate from said first cable drive unit, wherein said first cable drive unit is fastened between said support and, via a first attachment point, to said platform, and said second cable drive unit is fastened between said support and, via a second attachment point to said platform.

9. The motion simulator according to claim 8, wherein said first attachment point and said second attachment point to said platform are arranged between said first pivot axis and said front face.

10. The motion simulator according to claim 8, wherein said first attachment point of said first cable drive unit to said platform is arranged between said second pivot axis and a first lateral region of said platform, and wherein said second attachment point of said second cable drive unit to said platform is arranged between said second pivot axis and a second lateral region of said platform, said second lateral region being opposite said first lateral region.

11. The motion simulator according to claim 8, wherein said first attachment point and said second attachment point to said platform are arranged on mutually opposite sides of said central axis.

12. The motion simulator according to claim 8, wherein each of said first and second cable drive units has a cable fastened to said platform, a cable drive for moving said cable, and wherein said cable drive is mounted on said support, and a drive assembly for driving said cable drive.

13. The motion simulator according to claim 12, wherein said cable drive is a rotatably mounted cable reel for winding and unwinding the cable, said drive assembly is an electromotive drive, and said cables are deflectable about deflecting rollers rotatably mounted on said support.

14. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein said platform is configured for tilting about said first pivot axis by simultaneous actuation of two cable drive units of said cable drive device.

15. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein said energy storage device is a gas spring with a cylinder and a piston attached, via respective rotary joints to said platform and said support.

16. The motion simulator according to claim 1, further comprising at least one braking device for braking a movement of said cable drive device and/or of said energy storage device, said braking device being operatively fastened between said support and said platform.

17. The motion simulator according to claim 16, wherein said braking device includes a piston rod and a cylinder, and a clamping element configured for braking said piston rod in said cylinder by frictional engagement or by positive engagement.

18. The motion simulator according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary device for rotating said platform about a substantially vertical axis of rotation.

19. The motion simulator according to claim 1, wherein there is arranged on said top face of said platform a plurality of viewing positions each having a supporting element for a spectator to lean against and, in each viewing position a spectator restraint system.

20. The motion simulator according to claim 1, further comprising a closed-loop or open-loop control or regulating unit for controlling or regulating movements of said platform, said control unit being configured to output control signals to said cable drive device.

21. An entertainment system, comprising: a screen for displaying a film, and a motion simulator according to claim 1 configured to be moved in dependence on a motion data track corresponding to the film being shown on said screen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0085] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motion simulator according to the invention;

[0086] FIG. 2 is a front view of the motion simulator;

[0087] FIG. 3 is a side view of the motion simulator;

[0088] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support with the second pivot axis;

[0089] FIG. 5 is a front view with the platform tilted about the second pivot axis;

[0090] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support with the first pivot axis;

[0091] FIG. 7 is a side view with the platform tilted about the first pivot axis;

[0092] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support with the two pivot axes;

[0093] FIG. 9 shows section IX-IX according to FIG. 2;

[0094] FIG. 10-15 show different tilted positions of the platform;

[0095] FIG. 16 shows, schematically, the entertainment system with a screen;

[0096] and

[0097] FIG. 17 shows a detail of a side view with a screen associated with the viewing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0098] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a motion simulator 1. This motion simulator 1 comprises as its fundamental components a platform 2, a support 4 arranged beneath the platform 2, and a drive device 5 for moving the platform 2 relative to the support. The drive device 5 in turn has an energy storage device 7 and a cable drive device 6.

[0099] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cable drive device 6 has a first cable drive unit 61 and a separate second cable drive unit 62.

[0100] On the movable platform 2 there is arranged a plurality of viewing positions A for spectators, wherein there is a supporting element 3 in each viewing position A. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment shown, eighteen supporting elements 3 are arranged on the platform 2.

[0101] Each supporting element 3 has uprights 32, preferably metallic uprights, a rest 33, two handle bars 34 and a spectator restraint system 31 (preferably in the form of a safety belt).

[0102] The platform 2 has a (preferably smooth) top face O and an opposite bottom face U.

[0103] The platform 2 can have any desired contour. Preferably, the platform 2, in a plan view, is substantially quadrangular. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the platform is trapezoidal at least in some regions.

[0104] The platform 2 has a front face F, a rear face B, a first lateral region L1, and a second lateral region L2. The central axis C runs through the middle of the platform from the rear face B to the front face F.

[0105] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the central axis C divides the platform 2 (or the base plate 21 thereof) into two substantially mirror-symmetrical regions of equal size.

[0106] FIG. 2 is a front view of the motion simulator 1. On the top face O of the platform 2 there is again arranged a plurality of viewing positions A with supporting elements 3.

[0107] It can also be seen in FIG. 2 that the platform 2 has a base plate 21 and frame elements 22, preferably profiled frame elements, whereby a stable construction is obtained.

[0108] By means of the second cable drive unit 62 it can be seen that this—like the first cable drive unit 61—has a cable 63 fastened to the platform 2, a cable drive 64 movably mounted on the support 4, and a drive assembly 65. In addition, a deflecting roller 66 for the cable 63 can—as shown—also be rotatably mounted on the support 4.

[0109] The cable 63 of the first cable drive unit 61 is connected to the platform 2 (preferably to the frame element 22 thereof) via the first attachment point P61. The cable 63 of the second cable drive unit 62 is also connected to the platform 2 (preferably to the frame element 22 thereof) via the second attachment point P62.

[0110] Of course, these attachment points P61 and P62 (and this also applies to the energy storage device attachment point P7) are not to be considered as a one-dimensional “point” in the geometrical sense. Rather, these attachment points are to be regarded as attachment regions or fastening locations.

[0111] It can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 2 that the first attachment point P61 and the second attachment point P62 to the platform 2 are arranged on mutually opposite sides of the central axis C, wherein the first attachment point P61 and the second attachment point P62 are at the same distance from the central axis C.

[0112] The vertical plane E which encloses the central axis C is depicted in FIG. 2.

[0113] FIG. 2 also shows the centrally arranged energy storage device 7. Specifically, it is provided that the energy storage device is in the form of a hydropneumatic spring element and has a piston 72 attached to the platform 2 and a cylinder 71 attached to the support 4. The arrangement of the piston 72 and the cylinder 71 can of course also be reversed.

[0114] It can further be seen in FIG. 2 that two braking devices 8 for braking the movement of the cable drive device 6 and/or of the energy storage device 7 are provided, wherein the two braking devices 8 are fastened on the one hand to the support 4 and on the other hand to the platform 2. The two braking devices 8 are arranged on either side of the plane E. Specifically, the braking devices 8—in the zero position shown—are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to one another.

[0115] The braking devices 8 each have a piston rod 81 and a cylinder 82, wherein the piston rod 81 is movably guided in the cylinder 82. It can preferably be provided that the piston rod 81 is able to be braked in the cylinder 82 by frictional engagement or by positive engagement by a clamping element 83.

[0116] In FIG. 3, the motion simulator 1 is shown in a side view. Here too, the platform 3 is in the same neutral zero position as in FIG. 2.

[0117] It can clearly be seen in FIG. 3 that the support 4 has a base 41, a first pivot bearing 42, and a pivot element 43 which is connected to the platform 2 and is mounted on the first pivot bearing 42 so as to be pivotable about the first pivot axis S1.

[0118] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pivot bearing 42 has a pivot pin formed on the pivot element 43 and a bearing for the pivot pin formed in the base 41.

[0119] FIG. 3 also shows the second cable drive unit 62 including the drive assembly 65, the cable drive 64 (in the form of a cable reel) and the cable 63, and also the deflecting roller 66. The second attachment point P62 is also visible. It can additionally be seen in FIG. 3 that the energy storage device 7 is fastened on the one hand to the support 4 and on the other hand via an energy storage device attachment point P7 to the platform 2.

[0120] Therefore, it can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 3 that the energy storage device attachment point P7 and the at least one attachment point P61, P62 of the cable drive device 6 to the platform 2 are arranged between the first pivot axis S1 and the front face F.

[0121] It can further be seen rudimentarily in FIG. 3 that the support 4 has a second pivot bearing 44, in this case formed in or on the pivot element 43, for the platform 2, wherein the second pivot bearing 44 has a second pivot axis S2 preferably oriented orthogonally to the first pivot axis S1.

[0122] FIG. 4 shows only the carrier 4 without the platform 2 but with the energy storage device 7.

[0123] The energy storage device 7 is connected indirectly to the platform 2 via the pivot element 43 of the support 4. The energy storage device 7 has a cylinder 71, which is attached to the platform 2 via a rotary joint 73, and a piston 72, which is attached to the support 4 via a rotary joint 74.

[0124] The pivot element 43 is in the form of a frame. The bearing points of the pivot bearing 44 for the pivot axis S2 are formed at an end facing the rear face B and at an end facing the front face F. The platform 2 is mounted on these bearing points via corresponding bearing points (which are formed on the frame element 22).

[0125] FIG. 5 shows the motion simulator 1 as a whole again, wherein the platform 2 is in a tilted or pivoted position compared to the zero position of FIG. 2.

[0126] By pulling the first cable drive unit 61 of the cable drive device 6, the platform is able to be tilted about the second pivot axis S2. Simultaneously with this pulling, the cable 63 of the second cable drive device 62 is pulled out. This can take place by an actively controlled movement of the cable drive 65 of the second cable drive unit 62. Alternatively, the cable drive 65 of the second cable drive unit 62 can be switched to idle, so that the cable 63 thereof is pulled out by the upward movement of the platform 2.

[0127] The movement about the second pivot axis S2 corresponds to a movement by a roll angle. Based on the dimensions and the limited possibilities of movement between the platform 2 and the support 4, the roll angle range R of about 20° shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

[0128] FIG. 5 additionally shows how the braking devices 8 lengthen or shorten according to the tilting movement or rolling movement of the platform 2.

[0129] In FIG. 6—as in FIG. 4—only the support 4 together with the energy storage device 7 is shown. The pivot element 43 is inclined about the first pivot axis S1.

[0130] FIG. 7 shows a position in which the platform 2 is tilted forward compared to FIG. 3. By simultaneously pulling the first cable drive unit 61 and the second cable drive unit 62 at the respective attachment points P61 and P62, the platform 2 is tilted about the first pivot axis S1.

[0131] The movement about the first pivot axis S1 corresponds to a movement by a pitch angle. Based on the dimensions and the limited possibilities of movement between the platform 2 and the support 4, the pitch angle range N of about 20° shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

[0132] If the two cable drive units 61 and 62 are actuated at the same speed (and force), a tilting movement solely about the first pivot axis S1 is carried out. The second pivot axis S2 remains unchanged.

[0133] If the two cable drive units 61 and 62 are actuated at different speeds, a tilting movement about the second axis S2 also takes place in addition to the tilting movement about the first pivot axis S1. Depending on which of the two cable drive units 61 and 62 is activated or operated with the higher speed, a rolling movement takes place in the direction of that cable drive unit 61 or 62.

[0134] The energy storage device 7 is so configured that it pushes against the bottom face U of the platform 2. The energy storage device 7 thus always tries to push the platform 2 upward. However, because the cable drive device 6 is stronger than the energy storage device 7, the energy storage device 7 is compressed or additionally loaded—as can be seen in FIG. 7. As soon as at least one of the two cable drive units 61 and/or 62 is activated such that the respective cable 63 can be pulled out or unwound again, the energy storage device 7 is able to deploy its force and pushes the platform 2—at least as far as the two cable drive units 61 and 62 allow—upward about the first pivot axis S1.

[0135] FIG. 8 then shows the support 4 (again without the platform 2) when the energy storage device 7 has relaxed again.

[0136] The two pivot axes S1 and S2 are depicted in FIG. 8, wherein the first pivot axis S1 is oriented orthogonally to the second pivot axis S2.

[0137] FIG. 9 shows the section taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows. The frame elements 22 of the platform 2 can be seen particularly clearly in this illustration. The individual elements of the support 4 (e.g. base 41 and pivot element 43) are also shown. The drive assemblies 65 are fixed to the support 4. The cables 63 of the cable drive units 61 and 62 can be wound and unwound via the cable drives 64 in the form of cable reels.

[0138] FIGS. 10 to 15 show different tilted positions of the platform 2 of the motion simulator 1, wherein in each case a side view is shown on the left and a front view is shown on the right. The indicated angle of the X-axis corresponds to the pitch angle range N about the first pivot axis S1. The indicated angle of the Y-axis corresponds to the roll angle range R about the second pivot axis S2. The two tilting movements can of course be superposed.

[0139] In FIG. 10, the platform 2 is tilted forward by 20°. No rolling movement has taken place.

[0140] In FIG. 11, the platform 2 pitches upward by 7°, wherein this is initiated by the energy storage device 7 when the cable drive device 6 reduces the cable tension or unwinds the cable 63. In addition—starting from a zero position—the cable 63 of the second cable drive unit 62 has been unwound further than the cable of the first cable drive unit 61, so that a slight rolling movement of 4° to the left has also taken place.

[0141] In FIG. 12, the platform 2 is tilted forward again by 12°. The rolling movement to the left has increased to 7°.

[0142] In FIG. 13, on the other hand, the zero position relative to the second pivot axis S2 is given. The platform 2, starting from the zero position, is tilted forward by 14° about the first pivot axis S1.

[0143] FIG. 14 shows the zero position of the pitching movement, while there is a slight rolling movement by 4° to the right.

[0144] Finally, FIG. 15 shows a pitching movement downward by 9° and a rolling movement to the right by 5°.

[0145] FIG. 16 shows, schematically, an entertainment system 100 as a whole. This entertainment system has a screen 101 and the motion simulator 1.

[0146] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment variant in which the platform 2 can additionally be rotated about the axis of rotation D via a rotary device 9. This corresponds to a movement by the yaw angle.

[0147] FIG. 16 further shows, schematically, the control or regulating unit 10 for controlling or regulating movements of the platform 2, wherein control signals S are able to be outputted via the control or regulating unit 10 to the cable drive device 6, preferably to the drive assemblies 65 thereof.

[0148] In contrast to the variant shown in FIG. 16, the screen 101 can also be connected directly to the platform 2.

[0149] Accordingly, FIG. 17 shows a viewing position A, wherein a screen 101 is associated with this viewing position. Specifically, this screen 101 is located in front of the supporting element 3 in the viewing direction.

[0150] In FIG. 17, the screen 101 is part of an independent housing 105. This housing 105 can be mounted on the platform 2 via a mounting element 104. Devices for generating special effects (not shown) can be integrated into this housing 105. Furthermore, a control device 103 can be arranged in the vicinity of, preferably beneath, the screen 101. Such a screen 101 with a housing 105 is preferably associated with each viewing position A. The variant shown in FIG. 17 is particularly suitable for mobile applications, which can be set up and also dismantled again relatively quickly.

[0151] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0152] 1 motion simulator [0153] 2 movable platform [0154] 21 base plate [0155] 22 frame elements [0156] 3 supporting element [0157] 31 spectator restraint system [0158] 32 upright [0159] 4 support [0160] 41 base [0161] 42 first pivot bearing [0162] 43 pivot element [0163] 44 second pivot bearing [0164] 5 drive device [0165] 6 cable drive device [0166] 61 first cable drive unit [0167] 62 second cable drive unit [0168] 63 cable [0169] 64 cable drive [0170] 65 drive assembly [0171] 66 deflecting roller [0172] 7 energy storage device [0173] 71 cylinder [0174] 72 piston [0175] 73 rotary joint [0176] 74 rotary joint [0177] 8 braking device [0178] 81 piston rod [0179] 82 cylinder [0180] 83 clamping element [0181] 9 rotary device [0182] 10 control or regulating unit [0183] 100 entertainment system [0184] 101 screen [0185] 103 control device [0186] 104 mounting element [0187] 105 housing [0188] O top face [0189] U bottom face [0190] F front face [0191] B rear face [0192] C central axis [0193] A viewing position [0194] P61 attachment point of the first cable drive unit of the cable drive device 6 [0195] P62 attachment point of the second cable drive unit of the cable drive device 6 [0196] P7 energy storage device attachment point [0197] S1 first pivot axis [0198] S2 second pivot axis [0199] N pitch angle range [0200] R roll angle range [0201] L1 first lateral region [0202] L2 second lateral region [0203] D axis of rotation [0204] S control signals [0205] M motion data track [0206] E vertical plane