JP3966483B2 - Simulator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a simulator that swingably drives a ride unit on which a player rides.
[0002]
[Background Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
Many simulators having a ride portion on which an operator or the like rides are provided with a mechanism for giving the ride portion a pitching operation in accordance with the contents of the simulation. Examples of such a simulator include a driving simulator and a game device that performs, for example, a motorcycle game.
[0003]
For example, a simulator for performing a motorcycle or the like employs a mechanism that allows a player to experience a pitching motion by swinging a ride unit on which the player rides back and forth in accordance with a screen.
[0004]
However, the conventional mechanism is configured such that a ride part simulating the shape of a motorcycle or the like is fixed on one axis on a base installed on the floor surface and is driven to rotate back and forth. For this reason, although the pitching operation can be reproduced, there is a problem that the same behavior as that of an actual motorcycle cannot be reproduced.
[0005]
That is, in an actual motorcycle or the like, a heave operation in which the vehicle moves up and down simultaneously occurs with a pitching operation in the front-rear direction. Therefore, there is a problem that even if only the pitching operation is reproduced, the feeling is different from that of an actual motorcycle, and the reality is lacking.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a simulator that gives a ride unit a behavior that combines a heave operation and a pitching operation and performs a more realistic simulation operation.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to use a drive air supplied from a common air supply means, wherein the drive source for the pitching and heave operation of the ride portion and the drive source for the rolling operation are all configured using an air actuator. An object of the present invention is to provide a simulator capable of driving each actuator with a simple configuration.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a simulator for swingably driving a ride portion provided on a base, and a pair of expansion and contractions arranged on the base along the direction of the ride portion. Drive means, and a support mechanism that supports the ride portion on the base so as to be capable of pitching operation and heave operation in the vertical direction. The support mechanism includes a pair of link mechanisms, and each link mechanism Each end is supported at two different support points along the direction of the ride part, and the ride part is rotatably supported in the direction of the ride part, and the other end side of the ride part is directed to the base. The pair of expansion / contraction drive means are individually supported for expansion / contraction drive control, and the ride unit is given a behavior that combines the pitching and heave operations.
[0009]
Here, it is preferable that the simulator includes a control unit that individually expands and drives the pair of expansion and contraction driving units and gives the ride unit a behavior that combines the pitching and heave operations.
[0010]
In the simulator of the present invention, the ride portion is supported on the base so as to be freely pitched and heaveed using a support mechanism.
[0011]
Further, by individually extending and retracting the pair of expansion / contraction drive means, a behavior combining the pitching and heave operations is given to the ride portion, and a more realistic simulation operation can be reproduced.
[0012]
Here, it is preferable that the base is formed as a member that is installed on the floor and supports the entire simulator, and that the ride portion has an appearance according to the contents of the simulation and is formed so that the operator can get on and off. For example, by configuring the ride unit as various types of moving bodies, it is possible to make an operator who rides the ride section feel the behavior that combines pitching and heave operations that occur when the moving body moves.
In addition, by configuring the support mechanism to include a pair of link mechanisms, it is possible to support the ride portion with a simple configuration so as to allow pitching and heave operations.
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
Claim 2 The invention of claim 1 In The pair of link mechanisms have a first arm having one end side rotatably supported at two different support points along the direction of the ride portion, and one end side of the pair of link mechanisms. A second arm pivotally connected to the other end of the first arm and having the other end pivotally supported by the base in the direction, and the pair of link mechanisms can be viewed from the side. In this state, the connecting portions of the first arm and the second arm are arranged so as to be located outside each other.
[0019]
That is, according to the present invention, the pair of link mechanisms are arranged in a pantograph shape in which the first arm and the second arm bulge outward from each other when viewed from the side.
[0020]
By doing in this way, it becomes possible to produce the link mechanism for supporting a ride part on a base with sufficient intensity with simple composition.
[0021]
Where: 2 The invention of claim 3 It is preferable to constitute as in the invention.
[0022]
That is, the claim 3 The invention of claim 2 And a first restricting member that restricts the movement of any arm of each of the link mechanisms and restricts the pitching operation region of the ride portion.
[0023]
Thus, by providing the first restricting member so as to restrict the movement of the arm of each link mechanism, the pitching operation region of the ride portion can be restricted to a safe operation range.
[0024]
In particular, by adopting the link mechanism having the structure of claim 3, the first restricting member may be configured as a stopper member that restricts the movement of the arm of each link mechanism. It will be cheap.
[0025]
Claim 4 The invention of claim 1 to claim 1 3 In any one of the above, it includes a second restricting member for restricting the contraction operation range of each expansion / contraction drive means.
[0026]
That is, when the expansion / contraction drive means is driven to perform a simulation operation on the ride portion, if the expansion / contraction drive means performs a contraction operation, the ride portion may interfere with the base, which may cause an undesirable situation. Such a situation can be prevented by providing the second member that regulates the contraction operation range of each of the expansion / contraction drive means.
[0027]
In particular, when the expansion / contraction driving means is configured using an air spring as in the invention of claim 2, when the air is extracted from the air spring, there is a case where the contraction suddenly occurs and the ride part interferes with the base. By using the restricting member, it is possible to reliably prevent such interference when the air spring is used, and allow the operator riding on the ride portion to feel a good simulation operation.
[0028]
Here, the second restricting member is provided on at least one of the ride part and the base part, and is constituted by a stopper, for example, a rubber member, constituted by a member that absorbs an impact at the time of interference between the ride part and the base. It is preferable that the stopper is constructed.
[0029]
In this way, during the contraction operation of each expansion and contraction drive means, the operation that this stopper interferes with either one of the ride part or the base is actively used, for example, driving on a motorcycle on a rough off-road. It is also possible to positively generate an impact generated when the vehicle is running and to let the operator experience a very realistic behavior as an off-road vehicle simulator.
[0030]
Of course, it is also possible to reproduce the combined behavior of normal pitching and heave operations by controlling the expansion / contraction drive means so as to avoid such a collision with the stopper member.
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
[0034]
Claim 5 According to the present invention, there is provided a simulator for swingably driving a ride portion provided on a base, a pair of telescopic drive means disposed along the direction of the ride portion on the base, and the ride on the base. And a support mechanism that supports the portion so as to freely perform pitching operation and vertical heave operation, and the base portion swings in a direction intersecting with the first base installed on the floor surface and the direction of the ride eve. A second base that is supported by the first base so as to be swingable in the swing direction, and is attached to the first base and swings the second base in the swing direction. An air cylinder for rolling operation, and the ride portion is fixedly attached to the second base via the telescopic drive means and the support mechanism so as to allow pitching and heave operation. And butterflies.
[0035]
According to the present invention, the ride portion can be controlled to swing in a direction intersecting with the direction of the ride portion by using the air cylinder for rolling drive. Thereby, the behavior which combined pitching operation | movement, heave operation | movement, and rolling operation | movement is given to a ride part, and simulation operation | movement with higher reality can be reproduced.
[0036]
[0037]
Here, it is preferable that the swing direction is set in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the ride portion.
[0038]
[0039]
[0040]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0041]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a game device to which the present invention is applied.
[0042]
In the game apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a ride unit 20 on which a player P rides is attached on a first base 12.
[0043]
The ride unit 20 is provided with a behavior that combines a pitching operation synchronized with a game screen displayed on the display 14 and a heave operation in the vertical direction using a pair of air springs described later.
[0044]
Further, the ride unit 20 is configured to be capable of rolling in the left-right direction. During this rolling operation, the ride unit 20 is tilted by the weight applied by the player P, but a force in the tilt direction and a reaction force in the direction opposite to the tilt are applied as necessary by an air actuator, which will be described later. Can experience the behavior of a motorcycle on a curve.
[0045]
FIG. 3 schematically shows the attachment mechanism of the ride portion 20 with respect to the first base 12 as viewed from the side.
[0046]
When the direction in which the ride portion 20 is directed is the front-rear direction, the second base 30 is mounted and fixed on the first base 12 set on the floor so as to be swingable in the left-right direction (lateral direction). Has been. That is, on a pair of bearings 16 a and 16 b provided on the first base 12, the rotation shaft 32 of the second base 30 is attached and fixed so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction (lateral direction) as indicated by an arrow 100. ing.
[0047]
At this time, a driving force for swinging in the left-right direction with respect to the second base 30 or a swinging reaction force acting in a direction opposite to the swinging direction causes the rolling drive source 40 provided on the first base 12 to move. To be used.
[0048]
FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the rolling drive source 40.
[0049]
In the present embodiment, the connecting plate 34 is integrally attached and fixed to the distal end side of the rotating shaft 32. An air cylinder 42 is attached to the first base 12 side, and the distal end side of the rod 44 of the air cylinder 42 is rotatably connected to the lower end side of the connecting plate 34. As a result, when the rod 44 of the air cylinder 42 is expanded and contracted in the direction indicated by 110 in the drawing, the rotary shaft 32 is rotated and driven integrally with the connecting plate 34 in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the drawing.
[0050]
As described above, the second base 30 can be rolled by the driving force supplied from the air cylinder 42 to the rotary shaft 32 via the rod 44 in the same manner as the motorcycle.
[0051]
On the second base 30, a ride part 30 simulating the shape of a motorcycle is mounted and fixed so as to be able to perform a pitching operation in the front-rear direction and a heave operation in the vertical direction.
[0052]
That is, the ride unit 20 includes a base 22 and a game machine main body 24 integrally attached and fixed on the base 22, and the game machine main body 24 is formed to imitate the shape of a motorcycle. The seat includes a seat on which the player rides and a handle.
[0053]
A pair of air springs 50a and 50b arranged at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction are attached and fixed between the upper end surface 30a of the second base 30 and the lower end surface of the base 22. Yes. Each of the air springs 50a and 50b is configured to individually extend and contract in the vertical direction indicated by an arrow 120 in the figure by controlling the supply and discharge of driving air. That is, the air springs 50a and 50b function as expansion / contraction drive means for moving the ride portion 20 in the vertical direction with respect to the second base 30.
[0054]
Therefore, by individually and selectively driving each of the air springs 50a and 50b, the ride portion 20 can be pitched in the front-rear direction and can be heaveed in the vertical direction.
[0055]
That is, by driving one of the air springs 50b to extend, the ride part 20 tilts backward, and by driving only the other air spring 50a to extend, the ride part 20 performs a pitching operation that tilts forward. Furthermore, by driving both the air springs 50a and 50b, the ride unit 20 performs a heave operation in the vertical direction. Thus, by reproducing the behavior that combines the pitching operation in the front-rear direction and the heave operation in the up-down direction, the simulation operation as a more realistic motorcycle can be reproduced.
[0056]
At this time, the air springs 50a and 50b have a sufficient function for generating a driving force in the vertical direction, but a force for reliably supporting the ride portion 20 on the second base 30 is not sufficient. For this reason, when the ride part 20 is supported on the second base 30 only by the air springs 50 a and 50 b, the problem arises that the ride part 20 tilts or twists in the left-right direction with respect to the second base 30.
[0057]
In order to solve such a problem, a support mechanism 60 is provided between the second base 30 and the ride portion 20 so as to support the ride portion 20 on the second base 30 so as to be capable of pitching operation and heave operation. It has been. The support mechanism 60 may adopt any configuration as long as it satisfies the requirement of supporting the ride unit 20 so that pitching and heave operations are possible.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, the support mechanism 60 is configured by using first and second link mechanisms 62A and 62B. The first and second link mechanisms 62A and 62B are formed on the second base 30 in a pantograph structure that supports the front and rear of the base 22, respectively.
[0059]
Specifically, the first link mechanism 62A includes first and second arms 64a and 66a that are rotatably connected, and the front end side of the first arm 64a is on the rear end side of the base 22. The front end of the second arm 66a is pivotally supported on the rear end side of the second base 30 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction.
[0060]
The second link mechanism 62B includes first and second arms 64b and 66b that are rotatably connected, and the distal end side of the first arm 64b rotates in the front-rear direction to the front end side of the base 22. The tip end side of the second arm 66b is pivotally supported on the front end side of the second base 30 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction.
[0061]
As described above, the first and second link mechanisms 62A and 62B arranged symmetrically are used to support the ride portion 20 like a pantograph, thereby allowing the second base 30 to ride. The portion 20 is mounted and fixed satisfactorily, and the ride portion 20 does not tilt or twist in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the ride part 20 can be mounted and fixed on the second base 30 without interfering with the pitching operation in the front-rear direction and the heave operation in the vertical direction.
[0062]
On the upper end surface 30a of the second base 30, stoppers 70a and 70b for restricting the downward movement of the base 22 are mounted and fixed adjacent to the air springs 50a and 50b. The stoppers 70a and 70b function as second movement restricting members, and have a machine that prevents the base 22 from colliding with the second base 30 when the air springs 50a and 50b contract. Here, in order to weaken the impact at the time of collision between the stoppers 70a and 70b and the base 22, the stoppers 70a and 70b are formed using a flexible member, for example, a rubber member.
[0063]
The stopper members 70a and 70b may be configured to be fixedly attached to the back side of the base 22.
[0064]
Further, stoppers 72a and 72b for restricting the movement of the first and second link mechanisms 62A and 62B in the front-rear direction are fixedly attached to the second base 30. The stoppers 72a and 72b function as a first restricting member that restricts the operating range of the pitching operation of the ride portion 20, and here contact with the second arms 66a and 66b and move in the front-rear direction. Is configured to regulate.
[0065]
Therefore, when the pitching and heave operations of the ride unit 20 are performed using the air springs 50a and 50b, the stoppers 72a and 72b are driven so as to positively contact the arms 66a and 66b, thereby driving off-road. An impact similar to the impact in the pitching direction experienced when riding a motorbike can be generated in the ride unit 20 so that the player can experience it.
[0066]
Further, when the heave operation is performed in the vertical direction of the ride portion 20 using the air springs 50a and 50b, the ride portion 20 is driven so as to positively come into contact with the stoppers 70a and 70b when contracted, thereby driving the motorcycle traveling off-road. An impact in the vertical direction that can be experienced when riding on the rider can be generated in the ride unit 20 so that the player can experience it.
[0067]
Thus, the impact of the off-road bike can be reproduced well by using the stopper mechanisms 72a, 72b, 70a, and 70b, and the behavior of the off-road bike with higher reality can be simulated.
[0068]
Of course, by driving the air springs 50a, 50b so as not to interfere with the stoppers 70a, 70b, 72a, 72b, it is possible to reproduce a behavior in which a smooth pitching operation and a heave operation are combined.
[0069]
Further, in the present embodiment, by adopting a configuration in which the support mechanism 60 is configured using the above-described link mechanisms 62A and 62B, the restriction of the pitching operation in the front-rear direction can be simplified with the stoppers 72a and 72b. And it can be performed satisfactorily.
[0070]
In the present embodiment, an air spring is used as a vertical expansion / contraction drive source, but other expansion / contraction drive means such as an air cylinder may be used.
[0071]
Further, the link mechanisms 62A and 62B are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other configurations, for example, one end is rotatably fixed to the second base 30 and the other end is moved back and forth toward the base 22 side. It is also possible to use an arm or the like that is slidably mounted and fixed.
[0072]
FIG. 5 shows a control system for driving the air springs 50a and 50b and the air cylinder 42 shown in FIGS.
[0073]
A feature of the control system according to the present embodiment is that all the air actuators 50a, 50b, and 42 are individually driven and controlled using high-pressure driving air supplied from a common air supply means.
[0074]
In the present embodiment, a compressor 80, a filter regulator 82, and a mist separator 84 are provided as the air supply means.
[0075]
The high-pressure drive air supplied from the air supply means is branched into three systems, and the air springs 50a and 50b, which are pitching drive sources, are individually expanded and contracted, and the air is a rolling drive source. The cylinder 42 is configured to be driven individually.
[0076]
First, high pressure air of 0.5 Mpa (megapascal) is supplied from the air compressor 10, and the filter regulator 12 outputs this as driving air of constant pressure of 0.3 Mpa, and dust is removed by the mist separator 84. After that, the flow path 86 to which the air is supplied is branched into first to third supply flow paths 300a, 300b, and 310. Here, the filter regulator 82 is used to always generate a constant air pressure, here 0.3 Mpa air, even when the air pressure output from the air compressor 80 fluctuates.
[0077]
The first and second flow paths 300a and 300b are flow paths for supplying driving air to the air springs 50a and 50b, and the third flow path 310 supplies driving air to the air cylinder 42. It is a flow path for.
[0078]
The first and second flow paths 300a and 300b are provided with first and second switching valves 302a and 302b, respectively, for controlling the supply of driving air to the air springs 50a and 50b. Each of the switching valves 302a and 302b is configured using a three-port valve, and includes a port P connected to the mist separator 84 side, an exhaust port R, and a port A connected to each of the air springs 50a and 50b. The intake port P and the exhaust port R are selectively switched by pitching control signals S1 and S2 output from the control unit 200. That is, when the intake port P is selected, driving air of 0.3 Mpa is supplied to the air spring 50, the air spring 50 extends, and when the exhaust port R is selected, the high-pressure air in the air spring 50 is selected. Is discharged and the air spring 50 operates to contract.
[0079]
As described above, the control unit 200 controls the switching valves 302a and 302b in accordance with the game screen displayed on the display 14 to selectively extend or drive the pair of air springs 50a and 50b. The ride unit 20 can be controlled by simulation so that the pitching operation and the heave operation are combined.
[0080]
The third flow path 310 forms a fourth flow path 320a constituting an air supply path to the first chamber 46a of the air cylinder 42 and an air supply path to the second chamber 46b of the air cylinder 42. Branches to the fifth flow path 320b. Each flow path 320a, 320b is provided with third and fourth switching valves 322a, 322b configured using a three-port valve. The switching valves 322a and 322b include a port P connected to the third flow path 310 side, a port A connected to the air cylinder 42 side, and an exhaust port R. Rolling control from the control unit 200 By the signals S3 and S4, the intake port P and the exhaust port R are selectively switched.
[0081]
Therefore, the control unit 200 controls the switching valves 322a and 322b using the rolling control signals S3 and S4, thereby controlling the expansion and contraction of the rod 44 of the cylinder 42 and selecting the ride unit 20 in the right direction and the left direction. Can be tilted and a reaction force against the tilt can be generated.
[0082]
Here, in the present embodiment, the pressure controller 312 is provided in the third flow path 310 in order to control the driving force of the cylinder 42. The pressure controller 312 is configured to control the supply pressure of the driving air supplied to the cylinder 42 and to control the supply pressure so that it does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value, here 0.3 Mpa. Yes.
[0083]
In the present embodiment, the pressure control unit 312 clamps the control signal S5 output from the control unit 200 within a predetermined voltage range, and outputs the cylinder 42 based on the output S6 of the clamp circuit 316. And a pressure control valve 314 for controlling the supply pressure of the air. Here, even if the control signal S5 output from the control unit 200 becomes a large value for some reason, the clamp circuit 316 converts this to a voltage equal to or lower than a predetermined upper limit value and supplies it to the pressure control unit 312. Even if an abnormality occurs on the control unit 200 side or an abnormality occurs on the compressor 80 or the filter regulator 82 side, the supply pressure to the cylinder 42 is set to a predetermined upper limit, which is 0.3 Mpa or less in the present embodiment. The value can be controlled.
[0084]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the air cylinder 42 can be expanded and contracted with an arbitrary force to cause the ride unit 20 to perform a rolling operation. At this time, the rolling force is set to a predetermined value by the function of the pressure control unit 312. It is configured not to exceed the upper limit.
[0085]
In addition to this, in the system of the present embodiment, the control unit 200 is also controlled in software so that the control signal S5 output from the control unit 200 does not output air at an air pressure of 0.3 Mpa or more. . Here, since it is previously known that the voltage of the control signal S5 and the pressure of the air output from the control valve 314 change along a predetermined characteristic curve, the voltage of the control signal S5 is determined based on this characteristic curve. The control unit 200 is controlled by software so as not to exceed the upper limit value.
[0086]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the high pressure driving air supplied from the same air compressor 80 is used to drive the air springs 50a and 50b for pitching operation and the air cylinder 42 for rolling. Can be satisfactorily performed.
[0087]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a game device that performs a motorcycle game has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to various simulators such as water bikes, horse racing, driving simulators, and other pitching operations. It can be widely applied to various simulators that perform heave operations.
[0088]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external explanatory diagram of a game device to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rolling operation of a ride unit of the game device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a simulation operation generating mechanism of the game device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a rolling drive source used in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a driving air supply system to various air actuators used in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Game device
12 First base
14 display
20 Ride Club
22 base
24 body
30 Second base
40 Rolling drive source
42 Air cylinder
46a Room 1
46b 2nd chamber
50a, 50b Air spring
60 Support mechanism
62A, 62B Link mechanism
64a, 64b first arm
66a, 66b second arm
70a, 70b First stopper
72a, 72b Second stopper
80 Air compressor
82 Filter regulator
200 Control unit
300a first flow path
300b Second flow path
310 Third flow path
320a Fourth flow path
320b fifth flow path
302a, 302b, 322a, 322b switching valve
312 Pressure control unit

Claims (5)

In the simulator that swingably drives the ride part provided on the base,
A pair of telescopic drive means disposed along the direction of the ride portion on the base;
A support mechanism for supporting the ride portion on the base so that the pitching operation and the heave operation in the vertical direction can be freely performed;
Including
The support mechanism includes a pair of link mechanisms,
Each link mechanism has one end side supported at two different support points along the direction of the ride portion so that the ride portion can rotate in the direction of the ride portion, and the other end side of the ride portion on the base. Is supported in a freely rotatable direction,
A simulator characterized in that the pair of expansion / contraction drive means is individually extended / contracted and driven, and a behavior combining the pitching and heave operations is given to the ride unit. Oite to claim 1,
The pair of link mechanisms are:
A first arm whose one end side is supported at two different support points along the direction of the ride portion, and the ride portion is rotatably supported in the direction;
A second arm having one end side rotatably connected to the other end side of the first arm and the other end side rotatably supported by the base in the direction;
And a connecting portion of the first arm and the second arm arranged so as to be located outside each other when the pair of link mechanisms are viewed from the side. In claim 2 ,
A simulator including a first restricting member that restricts movement of any arm of each of the link mechanisms and restricts a pitching operation region of the ride portion. In any one of Claims 1-3 ,
The base is
A first base installed on the floor;
A direction intersecting the direction of the ride portion as a swing direction, and a second base supported by the first base so as to be swingable in the swing direction;
An air cylinder for rolling operation attached to the first base and driving the second base to swing in the swing direction;
Including
The simulator is characterized in that the ride portion is attached and fixed to the second base through the telescopic drive means and the support mechanism so as to be capable of pitching and heave operation. In the simulator that swingably drives the ride part provided on the base,
A pair of telescopic drive means disposed along the direction of the ride portion on the base;
A support mechanism for supporting the ride portion on the base so that the pitching operation and the heave operation in the vertical direction can be freely performed;
Including
The base portion is
A first base installed on the floor;
A direction intersecting the direction of the ride eve is a swinging direction, and a second base that is swingably supported by the first base in the swinging direction;
An air cylinder for rolling operation attached to the first base and driving the second base to swing in the swing direction;
Including
The simulator is characterized in that the ride portion is attached and fixed to the second base through the telescopic drive means and the support mechanism so as to be capable of pitching and heave operation.

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