Patent Publication Number: US-2022219077-A1

Title: Frame for simulator having guides and device for fixating a seat or a steering wheel slidable along said guides

Description:
The invention relates to a frame for a simulator, particularly a vehicle or aircraft simulator, comprising at least one first guide and/or at least one second guide, a subframe for a seat slidable in the frame along the at least one first guide and/or a subframe for a control member, such as a steering wheel, slidable in the frame along the at least one second guide, wherein the subframe for the seat and/or the subframe for the control member comprise(s) a fixation device. 
     Simulators are known in different variants. Examples are racing simulators and flight simulators, which can both find application in professional as well as hobby use. For simulators intended for use by multiple people it is of great importance that they can be made suitable for the different users, wherein, irrespective of his or her build, each user can adopt a sitting posture which is realistic for the simulated activity. For this purpose the seat and/or the control members must be adjustable over a wide reach in the frame of the simulator. It is also important here that adjusting of a desired position can be carried out quickly and that an adjusted position can be held in reliable manner. 
     Systems are already known for adjusting different positions of for instance a seat or a steering wheel in a frame of a simulator, wherein use can be made of pins and a series of holes for the purpose of fixating the adjusted position. Because of this, only a number of predetermined positions can be taken up. Also known are adjusting and fixation systems on the basis of a gear rack and a cam or pawl engaging therein, but these also have only discrete positions, there moreover being a risk here of the seat or the steering wheel coming loose when the cam or pawl does not engage properly in a space between two teeth. 
     Prior art document US 2006/186720 A1 discloses a translation movement guidance mechanism with positional locking for an adjustable headrest of an automobile seat. The headrest has two stems of which lower ends are attached to the backrest of the seat in fixed bushes. A locking component includes two more or less parallel bearing elements which exert a gripping force on two diametrically opposite sides of each stem. 
     The invention now has for its object to provide a frame for a simulator having a device for fixating e.g. a seat or steering wheel slidable along a guide wherein said problems do not occur, or at least do so to lesser extent. According to the invention, this is achieved in a frame for a simulator of the type described in the preamble in that the fixation device comprises at least one fixation member which extends on either side of the respective guide and which has a recess through which the guide protrudes, wherein the at least one fixation member is pivotable about an axis oriented substantially perpendicularly of the guide between a release position, in which mutually opposite edges of the recess lie at a distance from the guide, and a fixation position in which the edges engage on mutually opposite sides of the guide. Due to the engagement of the mutually opposite edges of the recess on the guide, the fixation member, and thereby also the fixation device, can be fixated on the guide in any desired position. By then pivoting the fixation member to its release position, in which the edges of the recess lie removed from the guide, the fixation device—and the subframe for the seat or steering wheel connected thereto—can be displaced along the guide to another desired position. 
     In an embodiment of the frame, the fixation device can be provided with biasing means for urging the at least one fixation member to its fixation position, and with an operable release member for moving the at least one fixation member to its release position. An adjusted position of the slidable object is thus held until a user operates the release member in order to slide the object to a different position. 
     The biasing means can comprise at least one spring, particularly a compression spring, co-acting with the at least one fixation member, while the operable release member can comprise at least one pressing or pulling element co-acting with the at least one fixation member. 
     For a stable fixation the fixation member can extend all around the guide, and the recess can be a continuous opening. 
     In order to prevent a moment being exerted on the guide during use of the fixation device, this device can be provided with two fixation members pivotable in opposite directions. These two fixation members act on a single guide. 
     In order to limit the number of separate components of the fixation device in that case, a joint spring, particularly a compression spring, can be arranged between the two fixation members. 
     Instead or in addition, a joint pressing or pulling element can be arranged between the two fixation members. In the case that the joint element is a pressing element, it can comprise a rotatable shaft with two cams lying opposite each other. 
     In an embodiment of the simulator frame the at least one fixation member, the biasing means and the operable release member can be received in a common housing which extends at least partially around the guide. 
     An easily assembled fixation device is obtained when the at least one fixation member is received in the housing for free movement and is positioned against a stop by means of at least one spring. 
     A compact construction is obtained when at least one bearing for the guide is received in the housing of the fixation device. 
     The invention further relates to a subframe for a seat or for a control member, such as a steering wheel, that is slidable along a guide for use in a frame as described above. This subframe may comprise at least one bearing for the guide and a fixation device which co-acts with the guide. 
     Finally, the invention relates to a fixation device for use in a frame of the above described type. 
    
    
     
       The invention is elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of a number of embodiments, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which corresponding components are designated with reference numerals increased by 100, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing the operating principle of a fixation device for use in the frame of the invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a detail view on enlarged scale along arrow II in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fixation member and a guide protruding therethrough, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first practical embodiment of the fixation device of  FIG. 1  on a guide, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the fixation device on a different type of guide, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fixation device of  FIG. 5  wherein a covering has been removed, 
         FIG. 7  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 6  with further exploded parts, 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a frame for a simulator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the frame of  FIG. 8 , and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective side view of the frame of  FIGS. 8 and 9  with a seat mounted therein, a control unit and a pedal set. 
     
    
    
     A frame  1  for a simulator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprises two side parts  3 ,  4  and three subframes  5 ,  6 ,  7  arranged therebetween ( FIG. 8, 9 ). Front subframe  5  is mounted non-movably on side parts  3 ,  4  and forms a support for pedals  8  ( FIG. 10 ). A middle subframe  6  is slidable in longitudinal direction of frame  1  and forms a support for a manual control unit  9 . Rear subframe  7  is likewise slidable in longitudinal direction of frame  1  and forms a support for a seat  10 . 
     In the shown embodiment frame  1  is further provided with transverse frame parts  11 ,  12  which connect the elongate side parts  3 ,  4  to each other close to their front and rear outer ends. Frame  1  further has a front frame part  13  which carries the pedal subframe  5  and the subframe  6  for the manual control unit, and a rear frame part  14  which carries the seat subframe  7 . In this embodiment front frame part  13  lies higher above a ground surface G than rear frame part  14 . At the position of front transverse part  11  frame  1  is therefore provided with two legs  15  with which front frame part  13  supports on the ground G. Between front frame part  13  and the lower-lying rear frame part  14  the frame has an inclining connecting segment  16 . 
     In the shown embodiment frame  1  is constructed from tubular elements which are bent in suitable manner so as to obtain the desired shape of frame  1 . The elongate side parts  3 ,  4  of the frame are here in each case constructed from two substantially parallel tubular elements, respectively  21 ,  22  and  23 ,  24 , placed one above the other, whereby side parts  3 ,  4  have a certain height and can withstand deformation. The respective upper and lower tubular elements  21 ,  22  and  23 ,  24  are welded together on the front side of frame  1 , at front end  17  of lower tube  23 , and in addition connected to each other by pedal subframe  5 . In the rear part  14  of frame  1  the upper and lower tube  22 ,  24  are connected to each other by welded stiffening elements  18  which are provided on their underside with legs  19 . Just as the front legs  15 , these rear legs  19  are provided with rubber caps  48 . 
     In the shown embodiment front and rear frame parts  13 ,  14  are connected releasably to each other. Arranged for this purpose on either side of frame  1  are fastening members  20 , these in each case connecting the two upper tubular elements  21 ,  22  and the two lower tubular elements  23 ,  24  to each other and thus bridging a division  44  in frame  1 . 
     As stated, the subframe  6  for manual control unit  9  is slidable in longitudinal direction of frame  1 . In the shown embodiment two guide rails or second guides  27 , along which subframe  6  for manual control unit  9  is slidable, are for this purpose welded on the inner side of the upper tubular elements  21 . These second guides  27  extend rearward substantially from pedal subframe  5 , up to a bend  28  in tubular elements  21  which forms the transition from front frame part  13  to inclining part  16 . Steering wheel subframe  6  is slidable along guide rails  27  by means of bearings which are arranged on spacers  40 , between which a carrier  39  for manual control unit  9  is arranged. Subframe  6  can be fixated in a desired position by means of a fixation device  2  to be discussed below. 
     In the shown embodiment the manual control unit  9  is otherwise formed by a housing  29  on which a hub  30  and a steering wheel  31  can be fixedly snapped. The steering wheel  31  can be a replica of the steering wheel of a formula car. The manual control unit can further be provided with paddle shifters  34  behind steering wheel  31 . 
     As stated, the subframe  7  for seat  10  is also slidable in longitudinal direction of frame  1 . This subframe  7  has for this purpose bearings  36  on either side, which are slidable along a guide rail or first guide  35  which is welded by means of spacers  37  to the inner side of the bottom tubular element  24  in rear frame part  14 . Bearings  36  are mounted on wings  43  of subframe  7 , which are connected to each other by a number of transverse rods  45  and thus form a base for a seat surface  32  of seat  10 . Two rearward protruding backrest supports  56 , which support a backrest  33  of seat  10 , are also mounted on rear transverse rod  45 . The subframe  7  for seat  10  can be fixated in a desired position by means of a similar fixation device  2  as the subframe  6  with steering wheel  31 . Guide rails  35  here once again extend over substantially the whole length of rear frame part  14 , from a bend  46  in the lower tubular element  24  which forms the transition from the rear frame part  14  to the inclining frame part  16 , to a position close to a bend  47  which forms the transition between the part of the tubular element  24  which forms part of the side part  3 ,  4  and the part of this same tubular element  24  which forms the rear transverse frame part  12 . 
     Because both subframe  6  for manual control unit  9  and subframe  7  for seat  10  are slidable in frame  1  over relatively great lengths, the getting in and out can on the one hand be simplified, while every user can in addition easily find a suitable position for use of the simulator. By unlocking fixation device  102  of subframe  6  and sliding subframe  6  forward as far as possible over guide rails  27  to the front end position shown in broken lines in  FIG. 10 , and simultaneously unlocking fixation device  2  and sliding subframe  7  of seat  10  rearward as far as possible over guide rails  35  to the rear end position likewise shown in broken lines, a space S in which a user can stand is formed between steering wheel  31  and seat surface  32  of seat  10 . The user can here support with his hands on the tubular elements of the inclining middle segment  16  of frame  1 . The user can then lower him or herself into seat  10  and extend his or her legs under steering wheel subframe  6  and toward pedal subframe  5 . 
     Once a user is seated in the simulator, subframe  6  can be moved rearward again until steering wheel  31  is at a desired position in longitudinal direction of frame  1 . Simultaneously, subframe  7  of seat  10  can be moved forward so that the user ends up sufficiently close to steering wheel  31 . Steering wheel  31  is then positioned roughly at the position of a transition between seat surface  32  and backrest  33  of the seat, which is a realistic position for a formula car. Subframes  6 ,  7  can then be fixated by means of their fixation devices  2 ,  102 , after which the user can use the simulator. 
     In the shown embodiment the fixation device  2  for the subframe  7  of seat  10  comprises two fixation members  25 ,  26  which each have a recess  41 ,  42  through which the first guide  35  protrudes ( FIG. 1 ). Fixation members  25 ,  26  each have a fixation position in which mutually opposite edges  49 ,  50  of recesses  41 ,  42  engage on mutually opposite sides of the guide. From the fixation position, fixation members  25 ,  26  are each pivotable in the direction of the arrow T about an axis A, which is perpendicular of first guide  35 , to a release position (shown in broken lines) in which edges  49 ,  50  of recesses  41 ,  42  lie at a distances from first guide  35 . In this release position the fixation device  2  can slide relative to first guide  35  in the direction of arrow S. 
     In the fixation position the edges  49 ,  50  exert opposing forces F on first guide  35 , which is thereby clamped fixedly ( FIG. 2 ). These opposing clamping forces F also generate a moment M. Because fixation device  2  has two fixation members  25 ,  26  pivotable in opposite directions, which members generate opposing and mutually counteracting moments M, no resulting moment will ultimately act on first guide  35 . 
     Fixation members  25 ,  26  are urged to their fixation position by biasing means  38 . hi the shown embodiment these biasing means take the form of a single tension spring  51  which pulls the parts of fixation members  25 ,  26  lying above first guide  35  toward each other. 
     In order to make fixation members  25 ,  26  pivot to the release position the fixation device  2  is provided with an operable release member  52 . In the shown embodiment the release member comprises two pulling elements  53 ,  54  which can be wound round a spool  55  placed between fixation members  25 ,  26  in order to pull the parts of fixation members  25 ,  26  lying under first guide  35  toward each other counter to the biasing force of spring  51 . Release member  52  is operated by means of an operating member  58 , shown schematically in the form of a rotary knob in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment the fixation members  25 ,  26  are received together with biasing means  38  and release member  52  in a housing  57 . 
     As can be seen here, first guide  35  has a round cross-section, and fixation members  25 ,  26  extend all around this first guide  35 . The recesses  41 ,  42  therefore each take the form here of a continuous opening in the relevant fixation member  25 ,  26  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     The fixation device  102  for the subframe  6  that carries the steering wheel  31  is shown in  FIG. 6 . This fixation device  102 , which likewise comprises a housing  157 , does not enclose second guide  27  wholly, but leaves a side clear. An operating member  158 , which operates release member  152 , can once again be seen on housing  157 . 
     In this embodiment the fixation members  125 ,  126  have an open cross-section, with a recess  141 ,  142  for receiving the second guide  27 . Fixation members  125 ,  126  are relatively thick and robust, but for the purpose of achieving a high clamping force the mutually opposite edges  149 ,  150  of the recesses take a tapering form. Fixation members  125 ,  126  are here received in housing  157  for free movement in corresponding cavities  159 ,  160 , and at their lower ends are each pressed by means of a spring  161  against a stop  162 . Springs  161  do not engage directly on the fixation members, but with interposing of plungers  163 . Each of the plungers  163  engages on the respective fixation member  125 ,  126  at a point above the corresponding stop  162 , so that the springs  161  urge the fixation members  125 ,  126  pivot towards each other to their fixation position, with the stops  162  serving as fulcrums. 
     The opposite outer ends of the fixation members are urged to their fixation position by biasing means  138  in the form of compression springs  164 , likewise with interposing of plungers  165 . The operable release member  152  is here formed by a central shaft  166  which is connected to rotary knob  158  and which is rotatable in a central space  170  between fixation members  125 ,  126 . This shaft  166  (shown in a lowered position in  FIG. 7 , but normally extending through opening  173  into rotary knob  158 ) has two diametrically opposed cams  167 . During use these cams  167  each engage on an upper end of one of the fixation members  125 ,  126  to urge them apart when the rotary knob  158  is rotated over a quarter turn from the position shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . In this way the fixation members  125 ,  126  are pivoted to their release position. 
     In this embodiment the bearings  168  with which fixation device  102  (and the subframe  6  connected thereto) are slid along second guide  27  are also received in housing  157 . These bearings  168  are received on either side of housing  157  in a continuous channel  169 , which also crosses the cavities  159 ,  160  and the central space  170 . The different components are retained in housing  157  by means of two closing strips  171  which are fastened with bolts  172 . 
     The invention thus provides a way of fixating slidable components, in particular a seat and one or more control members, such as a steering wheel, in a frame of a simulator in rapid and simple manner. Moreover, the fixation can be undone in an equally rapid and simple manner to allow the components to move to different positions along guides in the frame. 
     The scope of the invention is defined solely by the following claims.