Abstract:
The invention relates to motion seat systems and methods of powering motion seating. The modular design allows configurations as to the number and arrangement of seats, and provides each person on a seat with the same motion such as pitch and/or roll. The seats can be coupled together. Each seat has one or more rotary shafts that pass under or through the seat. One or more rotating shafts cause each seat to pitch and roll according to the position of the shaft(s). The shaft of a master seat is rotatably coupled to the shaft of one or more slave seats to transfer the motion to the slave seat(s).

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/456,799, entitled X4D Motion EFX Cinema Seat Series, filed on Nov. 12, 2010, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to motion seat systems and methods of implementing motion in seats. 
         [0003]    Motion seat systems have been used in theme park rides such as Disney&#39;s Star Tours and Universal Studio&#39;s Back to the Future, in commercial movie theaters, in gaming environments, and in training centers (e.g., military, law enforcement, and flight schools) to produce the sensation one is immersed in the reality displayed on a screen by synchronizing the seat motion of the viewer to correspond to the displayed scenes. 
         [0004]    Motion seat systems are adapted to receive motion signals that move seats to correspond (e.g., synchronize) to other signals (e.g., video and/or audio signals) that are perceived by person(s). For example, the motion seat system may synchronize seat motions with the displayed motions in a movie theater to simulate the forces one would experience seated in a vehicle in a chase scene where the vehicle races around a city street. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  shows that a motion signal can actuate forward and back pitch in the motion seat. The motion back simulates force pushing a person back if a vehicle suddenly accelerated while the motion forward simulates the vehicle suddenly braking. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1B  shows that a motion seat can be also rotated from side to side in a movement referred to as roll. Here the movement simulates the sideways force one would experience if a vehicle suddenly turned left or right.  FIG. 1C  shows a motion seat could also rotate horizontally about a vertical axis in a movement referred to as yaw. Although yaw simulates other forces a person might experience in the chase scene, it is less desired than pitch and roll, because yaw rotates a person away from the visual display which reduces the illusion of being in the displayed action plus requires great spacing between seats to avoid bumping moving seats together. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention relates to motion seat systems and methods of powering motion seating. Modular design allows a variety of configurations as to the number and alignment of the seats, and provides each person on a seat with the same motion such as pitch and/or roll. The system can be one or more seats coupled together. 
         [0008]    Each seat has one or more rotary shafts that pass under or through the seat. One or more rotating shafts are coupled to and cause each seat to pitch and roll according to the position of the shaft(s). The shaft of a master seat may be rotatably coupled through to the shaft of one or more slave seats to transfer the motion to the slave seat(s) which reduces the overall cost of the system. 
         [0009]    Using pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic power one or more actuators receiving motion signals linearly displace one or more links coupled to the shafts and to the seats. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a method of moving seats is described including rotating a segmented shaft including rigid segments rotatably coupled, wherein each rigid segment is coupled to a seat, and converting the rotation of the segmented shaft to a linear displacement producing a motion in the seat. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a system of moving seats is described including at least one segmented shaft including rigid segments rotatably coupled, wherein each rigid segment is coupled to a seat, at least one actuator to rotate the segmented shaft, and at least one rotary-to-linear motion converter to convert the rotation of the segmented shaft to a linear displacement producing a motion in the seat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  illustrates pitch in a motion seat. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  illustrates roll in a motion seat. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1C  illustrates yaw in a motion seat. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a motion seat system with shafts connected to a plurality of seats. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a motion seat system with a single shaft connected to a plurality of seats. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the master seat illustrating the details of the front support member including a leaf spring. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the master seat illustrating the details of the front support member including a U-joint. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a single motion seat with a master link and a leaf spring. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a locking actuator mechanism for a slave seat. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the slave seat assembly illustrating the details of the front support member including a leaf spring. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the slave seat assembly identical to  FIG. 8 , but for the front support member including a U-joint instead of a leaf spring. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The following description includes the best mode of carrying out the invention. The detailed description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is determined by reference to the claims. Each part is assigned its own part number throughout the specification and drawings. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate a motion system  10  for a plurality of seats (e.g., master seat  6  and slave seat  7 ). 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, a first actuator  26  transmits a linear force based on a motion control signal to a first master actuator clevis mount  34  that is rotatably coupled to a first master actuator crank  60  that is secured to a first master shaft  12  that rotates in a shaft support bearing  44  in a master shaft support  54 . 
         [0026]    A first master link  22  with an upper link end  40  and a lower link end  42  couples the first master shaft  12  and the master seat mount  24 . The upper link end  40  pivots at support point  30  which is attached or integral with the master seat mount  24 , which is attached or integral to the master seat  6 . Thus, the first actuator  26  drives motion to the master seat  6 . 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, a second actuator  27  transmits linear force based on a motion control signal to a second master actuator clevis mount  32  that is rotatably coupled to a second master actuator crank  58  that is secured to a second master shaft  14  that rotates in a shaft support bearing  46  in the master shaft support  54 . 
         [0028]    A second master link  20  with an upper link end  38  and a lower link end  36 , spaced from the first master link  22 , couples the second master shaft  14  to the master seat mount  24 . The upper link end  38  pivots at support point  28  attached or part of the master seat mount  24 , which is in turn attached or integral to the master seat  6 . Thus, the second actuator  27  drives motion to the master seat  6 . 
         [0029]    If the first and second master shafts  12 ,  14  rotate, they will move the master seat  6  up and down simultaneously, the master seat  6  will move in a pitch motion; if not, the master seat  6  will move in a roll motion. 
         [0030]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a rotary encoder  65  and an encoder gear  63  precisely detect the rotational position of the first master shaft  12 . The output of the rotary encoder  65  includes a feedback output to an external control system (not part of this invention) and slows the angular rotation of the first master shaft  12  as it approaches the rotational position indicated by the motion signal. 
         [0031]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a rotary encoder  64  and an encoder gear  62  precisely detect the rotational position of the second master shaft  14 . The output of the rotary encoder  64  includes a feedback output to an external control system (not part of this invention) and slows the angular rotation of the second master shaft  14  as it approaches the rotational position indicated by the motion signal. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a slave seat assembly includes a first slave shaft  72  rotatably held in a shaft support bearing  48  in a slave shaft support  52  at one end and in a shaft support bearing  83  in a shaft support  87  at the other end. A first slave link  76  with an upper link end  84  and a lower link end  82  is rotatably coupled to the first slave actuator crank  92  secured to or integral with the first slave shaft  72  and the slave seat mount  98 . In an embodiment, the upper link end  84  pivots at support point  88  attached or part of the slave seat mount  98 . The slave seat  7  is attached or integral to the slave seat mount  98 . 
         [0033]    The slave seat assembly also includes a second slave shaft  70  rotatably held in a shaft support bearing  50  in the slave shaft support  52  at one end and in a shaft support bearing  85  in the shaft support  87  at the other end. A second slave link  74  with an upper link end  80  and a lower link end  78  is rotatably coupled to the second slave actuator crank  90  secured to or integral with the second slave shaft  70  and the slave seat mount  98 . The upper link end  80  pivots at support point  86  attached or part of the slave seat mount  98 . The slave seat  7  is attached or integral to the slave seat mount  98 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the motion system  10  also includes a first coupling member  16  (e.g., a universal joint) that rotatably couples the first master shaft  12  to the first slave shaft  72  between the master shaft support  54  and the slave shaft support  52 . Each master shaft axis can be coincident or non-coincident with the slave shaft axis. Non-coincident permits the master seat  6  and slave seat  7  to be arranged to accommodate a curved row that may be desired in a movie theater. The first actuator  26  is driven by motion signals to rotate the first master shaft  12  such that the first master link  22  and the first slave link  76  are linearly displaced and produce motion in both the master seat mount  24  and slave seat mount  98 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the motion system  10  also includes a second coupling member  18  (e.g., a universal joint) that rotatably couples the second master shaft  14  to the second slave shaft  70  between the master shaft support  54  and the slave shaft support  52 . Each master shaft axis can be coincident or non-coincident with one or more slave shaft axis. Non-coincident permits the master seat  6  and slave seat  7  to be arranged to accommodate a curved row that may be desired at a movie theater. The second actuator  27  is driven by motion signals to rotate the second master shaft  14  such that the second master link  20  and the second slave link  74  are linearly displaced and produce motion in the master and slave seat mounts  24  and  98 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a side view that also illustrates a front support member (e.g., leaf spring  106 ) that supports the master seat  6 , preferably at or near its center of gravity to reduce the power requirements of the first actuator  26 . The type of actuator must have sufficient power (e.g., 2 horsepower) to rotate each master shaft and any slave shafts coupled to the master shaft, but the actuator type (e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric) is not essential to invention. 
         [0037]    The front support member (e.g., leaf spring  106 ) allows two degrees of freedom, that is, pitch and roll, but inhibits yaw or other lateral motions. The leaf spring  106  acts as a spring to return the master seat  6  to a neutral position. A balance member  108 , preferably L-shaped, and spaced from the first master link  22 , supports the front support member (e.g., leaf spring  106 ). 
         [0038]      FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate that the first master link  22 , the second master link  20 , and the balance member  108  define a plane that can be coincident, co-planar, or not co-planar with the master seat mount  24 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the slave seat  7  that illustrates the details of a front support member including a leaf spring  107  that supports the slave seat  7  preferably at or near the center of gravity of the slave seat  7  to reduce the power requirements of the first actuator  26  and to allow two degrees of freedom, that is, pitch and roll, but inhibit yaw or other lateral motion. A balance member  112  is spaced from the first slave link  76  to support the leaf spring  107 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 2 and 8  illustrate that the first slave link  76 , the second slave link  74 , and the balance member  112  define a plane that can be coincident, co-planar or not co-planar with the slave seat mount  98 . 
         [0041]    In an embodiment, the slave seat assembly includes a locking mechanism for the first slave shaft  72  including a first slave shaft lock brace  96 , a first slave locking actuator mount  104 , and a first slave locking actuator  100 . 
         [0042]    In another embodiment, the slave seat assembly includes a locking mechanism for the second slave shaft  70  including a second slave shaft lock brace  94 , a first slave locking actuator shaft mount  105 , and a second slave locking actuator  102 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3 and 6  illustrate a single master shaft embodiment of the motion system  11  for a plurality of seats (e.g., master seat  6  and slave seat  7 ). 
         [0044]    In an embodiment, an actuator  26  transmits a linear force based on a motion control signal to a first master actuator clevis mount  34  that is rotatably coupled to a master actuator crank  60  that is secured to a master shaft  12  that rotates in a shaft support bearing  44  in a master shaft support  54 . 
         [0045]    A first master link  22  with an upper link end  40  and a lower link end  42  couples the master shaft  12  and the master seat mount  24 . The upper link end  40  pivots at support point  30  which is attached or integral with the master seat mount  24 , which is attached or integral to the master seat  6 . Thus, the actuator  26  drives motion to the master seat  6 . 
         [0046]    A second master link  120  with an upper link end  38  and a lower link end  36 , spaced from the first master link  22 , couples the master shaft  12  to the master seat mount  24 . The upper link end  38  pivots at support point  28  attached or part of the master seat mount  24 , which is in turn attached or integral to the master seat  6 . The lower link end  36  is rotatably coupled to the second master crank  122  secured to the master shaft  12 . Thus, if the master shaft  12  rotates, the master seat  6  moves up and down in a pitch motion. 
         [0047]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a rotary encoder  65  and an encoder gear  63  will precisely detect the rotational position of the master shaft  12 . The output of the rotary encoder  65  includes a feedback output that slows the angular rotation of the master shaft as it approaches the rotational position indicated by the motion signal. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a slave seat assembly includes a slave shaft  124  rotatably held in a shaft support bearing  48  in a slave shaft support  52  at one end and in a shaft support bearing  83  in a slave shaft support  87  at the other end. A first slave link  76  with an upper link end  84  and a lower link end  82  is rotatably coupled to the slave actuator crank  92  secured to or integral with the slave shaft  124  and the slave seat mount  98 . A second slave link  128  with an upper link end  80  and a lower link end  78  is rotatably coupled to the slave actuator crank  126  secured to or integral with the first shaft  124  and the slave seat mount  98 . In an embodiment, the upper link ends  80 ,  84 , pivot respectively at support points  86 ,  88  attached or part of the slave seat mount  98 . The slave seat  7  is attached or integral to the slave seat mount  98 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the motion system  11  also includes a first coupling member  16  (e.g., a universal joint) that rotatably couples the master shaft  12  to the slave shaft  124  between the master shaft support  54  and the slave shaft support  52 . Each master shaft axis can be coincident or non-coincident with the slave shaft axis. Non-coincident permits the master seat  6  and slave seat  7  to be arranged to accommodate a curved row that may be desired in a movie theater. The actuator  26  is driven by motion signals to rotate the master shaft  12  such that the first master links  120 ,  22  and the first slave links  76 ,  128  are linearly displaced and produce motion in both the master seat mount  24  and slave seat mount  98 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  is a side view that illustrates a front support member (e.g., leaf spring  107 ) that supports the slave seat  7 , preferably at or near its center of gravity to reduce the power requirements of the first actuator  26 . The type of actuator must have sufficient power (e.g., 2 horsepower) to rotate each master shaft and any slave shafts coupled to the master shaft, but the actuator type (e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric) is not essential to invention. 
         [0051]    The front support member (e.g., leaf spring  107 ) allows two degrees of freedom, that is, pitch and roll, but inhibits yaw or other lateral motions. The leaf spring  107  acts as a spring to return the slave seat  7  to a neutral position. A balance member  112 , preferably L-shaped, and spaced from the first slave link  76 , supports the front support member (e.g., leaf spring  107 ). 
         [0052]      FIGS. 3 and 6  illustrate that the first slave link  76 , the second slave link  128 , and the balance member  112  define a plane that can be coincident, co-planar, or not co-planar with the slave seat mount  98 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the master seat that can be used for the single shaft embodiment of  FIG. 3  illustrating the details of a front support member (e.g., leaf spring  106 ) that supports the master seat  6 , preferably at or near its center of gravity to reduce the power requirements of a first actuator  26 . The front support member (e.g., leaf spring  106 ) allows two degrees of freedom, that is, pitch and roll, but inhibits yaw or other lateral motions. A balance member  108  is spaced from the master link  22  to support the front support member (e.g., leaf spring  106 ). 
         [0054]    The master links  20 ,  22  and the balance member  108  should define a plane so two of the three required points will be found in the balance member  108 . The defined plane coupled to the master seat mount  24  can be co-planar, not co-planar, or coincident with the master seat mount  24 . 
         [0055]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , a coupling member  16  (e.g., a universal joint) between the master shaft support  54  and the slave shaft support  52  rotatably couples the master shaft  12  to the slave shaft  124 . The actuator  26  is driven by motion signals to rotate the master shaft  12  such that the first master link  22 , the second master link  120 , the first slave link  76 , and the second slave link  128  are linearly displaced and produce motion in the master and slave seat mounts  24  and  98 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the master seat  6  having a plurality of master shafts that illustrates an alternative front support member that includes a U-joint  118  in place of a leaf spring  106 .  FIG. 2  and the accompanying specification describe and explain the parts of this embodiment in detail. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of a slave seat assembly shown in a perspective view in  FIG. 3 . The slave seat assembly has a single slave shaft  124  and a front support member including a leaf spring  107 .  FIG. 3  and the accompanying specification previously describe the parts of this embodiment in detail. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a locking mechanism including locking plates  130  and  132  to prevent rotation of the first slave shaft  72  and the second slave shaft  70 .  FIG. 2  and the accompanying specification describe and explain the parts of this embodiment in detail. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the slave seat identical to  FIG. 8 , but for the front support member including a U-joint  118  instead of a leaf spring  106 .  FIG. 2  and the accompanying specification describe and explain the parts of this embodiment in detail. 
         [0060]    Thus, a system of moving seats is described including at least one segmented shaft (e.g., master shaft+coupling member+slave shaft) including rigid segments (e.g. shafts) rotatably coupled, wherein each rigid segment is coupled to a seat, at least one actuator (e.g., actuators receiving motion signals) to rotate the segmented shaft, and at least one rotary-to-linear motion converter (e.g., master slave seat assembly) to convert the rotation of the segmented shaft to a linear displacement producing a motion in the seat (e.g., master seat and/or slave seat). 
         [0061]    Further, methods of moving a plurality of seats is also described including rotating a segmented shaft including rigid segments rotatably coupled, wherein each rigid segment is coupled to a seat, and converting the rotation of the segmented shaft to a linear displacement producing a motion in the seat. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the motion systems and methods of implementing seat motion as involving a master and a slave seat. However, the inventors recognize the master seat may operate as a single seat and may not be coupled to a slave seat but implement the motion in a single seat. Further, the system may drive a plurality of slave seats as long as the actuator(s) have the required power to drive one or more master shafts rotatably coupled to their respective slave shafts to attain the seat motions in accordance with the signals from the external control system. It is also recognized that the motion seat system is not limited to only motion simulator seating designed for commercial theaters, theme parks, exhibits, home theaters, and gaming. 
         [0063]    The design of the motion system allows unlimited configurations as to the number of seats, and also may provide each rider with the same experience at a relatively low cost. This differs from existing motion seating which are powered by active mechanism under each seat or bench, and from a bench design as each rider in a bench is physically in a different position and has a different experience when riding the seat. 
         [0064]    Many of the parts of the systems can be purchased and implemented with high strength steel, but the person of ordinary skill would readily understand the materials and parts to use after review of the specification. Further, the choice of materials and conventional parts is not essential to the invention.