Six degree of freedom (DOF) motion platform without non-redundant load paths

Number: 10137379
Published: 2018-11-27
Filed: 2016-01-22
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Wach; Ryan R.
CPC: F16M11/18; A63G31/02; F16M11/121; F16M11/043; F16M11/2035; A63G31/16
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

6-DOF motion platform (ride/simulator).

Abstract

A six degree of freedom (DOF) motion platform system is described that, in contrast to Stewart platforms, is adapted to include redundant load paths or to be without non-redundant load paths. During operation of the six DOF motion platform system, a controller may employ motion control software to provide desired movement of a ride vehicle supported on the upper plate or motion platform of the system. This makes the six DOF motion platform system particularly well suited for use in amusement or theme park rides and similar applications where it is desirable to provide redundant load paths because this reduces significant design constraints and also lowers fabrication and maintenance/operation costs when compared to rides using Stewart platforms. The actuation system used in the motion platform system include four pairs of linear actuators arranged as a rectangular truss instead of a more conventional triangular truss used in six DOF motion platforms.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) 1. Field of the Description(2) The present description relates, in general, to design and control of ride platforms, and, more particularly, to a six degree of freedom (DOF) motion platform for use in amusement park rides and other applications that is configured to have redundant load paths.(3) 2. Relevant Background(4) It is often desirable in the design of amusement or theme park rides (and other applications) to provide a six DOF motion platform for supporting a passenger or ride vehicle. Six DOF motion refers to freedom of movement of a rigid body (e.g., the motion platform for supporting a ride vehicle (or the motion platform may be the base of the vehicle)) in three-dimensional (3D) space. The rigid body can be moved via driving or actuation of the motion platform to change position with forward/backward, up/down, and left/right translation in three perpendicular axes combined with changes in orientation through rotation about three perpendicular axes (or through pitch, yaw, and roll).(5) Ride designers have commonly used a Stewart platform to implement a six DOF motion platform to support and selectively move a ride vehicle. A Stewart platform is a type of parallel robot or mechanism that incorporates six linear actuators or jacks. These actuators are mounted in pairs to the mechanism's stationary support base at one end and a top plate or motion platform at a second end. Objects such as a ride vehicle placed on the top plate or motion platform can be mo

Claims

1. A motion platform apparatus for supporting an object and for moving the supported object with six degree of freedom (DOF) motion, the apparatus comprising: a motion platform; a base with an upper surface facing and spaced apart from a lower surface of the motion platform; and an actuation system coupled with the lower surface of the motion platform and with the upper surface of the base, wherein the actuation system operates to move the motion platform with six DOF motion, wherein the actuation system is free of non-redundant load paths, wherein the actuation system is pivotally coupled, via four platform coupling components, with the lower surface of the motion platform at four coupling locations that are arranged in a rectangular pattern, and wherein the actuation system comprises four actuator assemblies that are independently and concurrently operable to provide the six DOF motion. 7. An amusement park ride, comprising: a motion platform; a passenger vehicle mounted on or integrally formed with an upper surface of the motion platform; a base with an upper surface spaced apart from a lower surface of the motion platform; and an actuation system coupled with the lower surface of the motion platform and with the upper surface of the base, wherein the actuation system operates to move the motion platform with six DOF motion, wherein the actuation system is pivotally coupled with the lower surface of the motion platform at four coupling locations that are arranged in a rectangular pattern, wherein the actuation system comprises four actuator assemblies that are operable to provide the six DOF motion to the motion platform, and wherein the actuation system is free of non-redundant load paths.