JPH0876678A - Simulator boarding unit drive - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a riding section driving device of a simulator, which can move a riding section of a player with a feeling similar to actual driving or maneuvering according to an operation of the player. [Structure] In a boarding section driving device of a simulator for displaying a virtual space and giving a simulated experience, a player uses a seat 4
When seated in 6 and operated by the handle 10, the pressure contact roller 36, which is in pressure contact with the drive roller 38, changes its rotation direction by the driving arm 26, the connecting arm 28, and the driven arm 30, and is laterally moved by friction with the drive roller 38. The seat 46 is also changed in direction while being moved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a riding part driving device for a simulator, and more particularly to a riding part driving device for a simulator capable of driving a riding part of a player in response to a movement of a steering wheel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game simulators or training simulators have been known. For example, taking a driving simulator for games as an example, a display is provided in front of a seat on which a player sits, and the player can operate a steering wheel to drive a racing car on the display screen. Such a simulator has seats and steering wheels made to look like a real car, and the shift lever and other parts are also made to look like a real car, so you can experience driving a racing car in a simulated manner.

However, although the conventional simulator looks like an actual vehicle, the seat is fixed, so that even if the steering wheel is turned, the player still faces forward and does not move.

Therefore, a means of changing the direction of the seat in response to the movement of the handle can be considered. That is,
A handle and a seat are provided in the riding section of the player, and the force for rotating the handle is mechanically transmitted directly to the riding section to rotate the riding section to the left and right. This way
The player's line of sight can be moved to the left or right in response to the operation of the steering wheel.

However, in such means, since the riding portion is rotated by the force for rotating the steering wheel, not only the steering wheel becomes heavy, but also the driving feeling of the actual vehicle becomes considerably different.

Therefore, the above conventional simulator results in a less interesting driving game, or a simulator for training cannot perform sufficient training.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problem of the prior art, and the object thereof is to move the player's boarding section with a feeling similar to actual driving or maneuvering in accordance with the operation of the player. An object is to provide a boarding section driving device for a simulator.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a riding part driving device of a simulator for giving a simulated experience in a preset virtual space, the operating part is provided, and a player is provided. Is mounted and operated, a drive roller that is rotationally driven by a motor controlled by a control unit, while rotating in pressure contact with the drive roller, the direction of the rotation axis is changeable, and A pressure contact roller movably supported along the rotation side surface of the drive roller in the rotation axis direction of the drive roller, and a rolling direction in a pressure contact portion of the rotation side surface of the pressure contact roller corresponding to an operation of the operation unit. And the direction of the rotation axis of the pressure contact roller is changed so that the angle formed by the rotation direction of the pressure contact portion of the rotation side surface of the drive roller is changed. As a result, the rotational force of the drive roller is changed by the pressure contact roller. Angle changing means for converting the moving force of the pressure contact roller to move the pressure contact roller, a rolling direction at the pressure contact portion of the rotating side surface of the pressure contact roller according to the amount of movement of the pressure contact roller, and the drive roller. Angle returning means for changing the direction of the rotation axis of the pressure contact roller so as to reduce the angle formed by the rolling contact direction of the rotation side surface of the drive roller toward 0, and the pressure contact roller along the rotation side surface of the drive roller. Moving means for moving the riding section to a predetermined direction or position in response to movement, and moving the riding section to a predetermined direction or position in response to an operation of the operation section. And

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the riding section drive device for a simulator according to the first aspect, the pressure contact roller has an imaginary line extending in a pressure contact direction with respect to the drive roller, and an axis line of a rotation shaft of the drive roller. Of the drive roller is supported by a support portion having a driven arm extending parallel to the direction intersecting with the driving roller, and the driving roller has a rotation side surface on the pressure contact roller side from the predetermined action point of the driven arm. Rotating in the direction toward the virtual line, the angle changing means changes the rotational direction of the pressure contact roller by applying a force to the point of action of the driven arm and swinging the driven arm around the virtual line. The angle returning means is configured such that when the pressure contact roller moves along the rotation side surface of the drive roller in the rotation axis direction of the drive roller, the action point moves in the rotation axis direction. To regulate the movement, thereby returning the follower arm about the working point in the original direction, characterized in that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the riding section driving device of the simulator according to the first or second aspect, the movement of the operating portion is changed by the movement of the operating portion as the angle changing means and the angle returning means. A link mechanism that transmits to the point of action as a motion in a direction in which the driven arm is swung about the imaginary line and allows the pressure contact roller to move in the rotation axis direction is characterized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the riding section drive device for a simulator according to the third aspect, the link mechanism includes the driven arm and a plane parallel to or substantially parallel to an action point of the driven arm. A driving arm having a swinging end that swings about a line that is the same as or substantially parallel to an imaginary line, and a connection that is rotatably coupled to the swinging end of the driving arm and the point of action of the driven arm. It is characterized by comprising an arm and.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the riding section drive device for a simulator according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the riding section is rotatably provided around a single point, and The moving means transmits a linear movement of the pressure contact roller along a rotation side surface of the drive roller in a direction of rotating the riding section.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the riding section driving device of the simulator according to the fifth aspect, the operation section is
A seat for a player to be seated and the handle are provided to face each other in the riding section, the handle including a handle for performing a rotation operation, and the seat can be rotated about the front of the handle. The moving means is installed by arranging a rotating shaft in the left-right direction, and the moving means transmits the movement of the pressure contact roller along the rotating side surface of the drive roller in the left-right direction to the riding section, whereby the riding section is moved. Characterized by rotating.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the riding section driving device for a simulator according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the angle changing means includes the riding section in the operating direction of the operating section. It is characterized in that the direction of the rotating shaft of the pressure roller is changed so as to move.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the riding section drive device for a simulator according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the control section has a moving speed in the virtual space not more than a predetermined speed. Then, the rotation of the motor is stopped.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the riding section drive device for a simulator according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the control section can move at a high speed in the virtual space. Accordingly, the rotation speed of the motor is increased, and the rotation speed of the motor is decreased as the moving speed becomes slower.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the riding section driving device for a simulator according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the control section is provided when the moving condition in the virtual space is good. Is to increase the rotation speed of the motor, and to decrease the rotation speed of the motor when the moving condition is bad.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the riding section driving device for a simulator according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the control section is a moving body of a player preset in a virtual space. The rotation speed of the motor is determined under preset conditions in accordance with the performance of 1.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the riding section drive device for a simulator according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the angle changing means changes the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller in a vibration cycle. It is characterized in that it includes a vibrating means for vibrating the riding section, in stead of small increments.

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the player boards the riding section and operates the operation section. Then, the boarding section is adapted to be moved in a predetermined direction or position by the moving means, and its operation is as follows.

First, the pressure contact roller is in pressure contact with the drive roller, and if the rotation axes of both rollers in the pressure contact portion are in the same plane, the rotation of the drive roller is the same when the rolling directions of the rotation side surfaces of both rollers are the same. Is transmitted to rotate the pressure roller. Here, the pressure contact roller is movable along the rotational side surface of the drive roller, but the rolling directions of the pressure contact portions of the rotational side surfaces of both rollers are the same, and the rotational force of the drive roller is Only rotate, not move.

Further, the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller is changed by the angle changing means. Therefore, when the rotation axis of the pressure contact roller is oriented in a direction that is not in the same plane as the rotation axis of the drive roller, the rotation force of the drive roller is in a direction intersecting the rolling direction of the rotation side surface of the pressure contact roller at the pressure contact portion. Added.

However, the pressure contact roller only rotates or moves along the pressure contact surface with the drive roller, and does not move in any other direction. Therefore, in this case, the rotational force of the driving roller is transmitted by being divided into a component force in the rotation direction and a component force in the movable direction. Then, the component force in the rotation axis direction moves the pressure contact roller in this direction.

Then, in response to the pressing roller moving along the rotation side surface of the driving roller, the moving means is
The riding section is moved to a predetermined direction or position.

Thus, when the player operates the operation section, the angle changing means changes the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller, and the riding section is oriented in response to the movement of the pressure contact roller along the rotation axis of the drive roller. Or the position is changed.

Further, the angle restoring means acts so that the rolling direction at the pressure contact portion of the rotating side surface of the pressure contact roller coincides with the rolling direction at the pressure contact portion of the rotating side surface of the drive roller.

More specifically, as the pressure contact roller moves along the rotation side surface of the drive roller, the pressure contact roller changes its rotation direction so that the rotation axis of the pressure contact roller returns to the same plane as the rotation axis of the drive roller. The rolling direction of the pressure contact portion on the side surface approaches the rolling direction of the pressure contact portion on the rotating side surface of the drive roller. Then, when they match, the pressing roller does not move any more, and the rotation direction does not change.

In this way, the pressure contact roller can be moved by a predetermined distance in accordance with the angle in which the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller is changed by the angle changing means.

The invention described in claim 2 is a more specific form of the invention described in claim 1.

That is, a driven arm is provided in the supporting portion for supporting the pressure contact roller, and the angle changing means applies a force to the point of action of the driven arm about an imaginary line extending in the pressure contact direction with respect to the drive roller. ing. And
By applying a force to the driven arm in this way, the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller can be changed, so that the pressure contact roller moves in the rotation axis direction of the drive roller as described above.

However, during this movement, the action point is restricted from moving in the rotation axis direction by the angle returning means. Therefore, since the movement of the action point is restricted, the rolling direction of the rotating side surface of the pressure contact portion is changed to the same direction as that of the drive roller as the pressure contact roller moves. Then, when they are the same, the movement of the pressing roller stops.

In this way, the pressure contact is made in correspondence with the angle formed by the rolling direction of the rotary side surface at the pressure contact portion of the drive roller and the rolling direction of the rotary side surface at the pressure contact portion of the pressure contact roller, that is, the angle changed by the angle changing means. The roller can be moved a predetermined distance.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the follower arm is swung by the link mechanism, and the movement of the pressure contact roller is allowed. This is embodied in the invention according to claim 4.

That is, according to the invention of claim 4,
The link mechanism includes a driven arm, a driving arm, and a connecting arm, and the angle changing means is configured by including the link mechanism.

Then, the movement of the operating portion is first transmitted so as to swing the driving arm, and the swinging movement of the driving arm is transmitted to the driven arm by the connecting arm to swing the driven arm. It is designed to let you.

Therefore, taking the case where the operating portion is a handle as an example, the rotational movement by turning the handle is transmitted to the driving arm, and the driven arm is swung via the connecting arm to rotate the pressure roller. Change direction. Then, the pressing roller moves in the rotation axis direction, but the action point of the driven arm is restricted by the connecting arm.

Then, since the movement of the action point is restricted, the driven arm returns to the original direction. Therefore, the rolling direction of the rotation side surface of the pressure contact portion of the pressure contact roller is the same as that of the rotation side surface of the drive roller. The pressure contact roller stops moving in the same direction as the rolling direction.

In this way, the pressing roller can be moved by a predetermined distance in accordance with the angle in which the rotation direction of the pressing roller is changed by the angle changing means.

Next, the invention according to claim 5 is such that the riding section rotates about one point. Therefore, the riding section can change its direction according to the operation of the operation section.

In addition to this, according to the invention of claim 6, the operation portion includes a steering wheel, and for example, a simulation of an automobile is performed. Further, the center of rotation of the riding section is in front of the steering wheel. Therefore, when the riding section changes its direction, the riding section rotates around the front of the player, which gives the player a roll force.

In this respect, if the position of the seat is set as the center of rotation, the player will not be given a rolling force by merely giving a rotational force, which will deviate from the sensation when driving an actual automobile. Therefore, the sixth aspect of the present invention makes the riding section rotate around the front of the steering wheel to give a feeling closer to the actual driving of the automobile.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the operation of the operating section and the moving direction of the riding section are made coincident with each other. For example, when the handle is taken as an example of the operation unit, the boarding unit moves to the right when the handle is turned to the right, and the boarding unit moves to the left when the handle is turned to the left.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the speed is set to a predetermined value or less, the motor is stopped and the drive roller is stopped so that the riding section does not move even if the operating section is operated. In particular, the fact that the riding unit moves when the operating unit is operated even when the moving body is stopped in the virtual space is different from the feeling of the actual vehicle. In addition, it is necessary to avoid moving the riding section when the handle is moved when the player tries to leave the seat by stopping the moving body.
For these reasons, the invention according to claim 8 is configured as described above.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, for example, when the moving speed in the virtual space becomes faster, the rotation speed of the motor increases and the rotation speed of the drive roller also increases. Then, the response to the operation of the operation unit is improved. That is, since the drive roller rotates quickly, the riding section moves quickly in response to the operation of the operation section. This allows the player to experience high-speed running.

Alternatively, when the moving speed in the virtual space becomes slow, the rotation speed of the motor decreases and the rotation speed of the driving roller also decreases. Then, the response to the operation of the operation unit becomes poor. That is, since the rotation of the drive roller is slow, the movement of the riding section corresponding to the operation of the operation section becomes slow. As a result, the player can feel the low speed running.

In the tenth aspect of the present invention, the case where the moving condition is good is, for example, when the road surface is concrete or asphalt, as an automobile simulator. Then, in these cases, when the rotation speed of the motor is increased, the riding section quickly moves in response to the operation of the operation section,
It gives the impression that the tires and the road surface are well gripped.

Alternatively, the case where the moving condition is bad means that the road surface is covered with sand, gravel, or mud, or the road surface is wet with rain. In this case, since the rotation speed of the motor is lowered, the movement of the riding section corresponding to the operation of the operating section becomes slow, giving the impression that the grip between the tire and the road surface is not good.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, taking a racing game as an example, for example, the type of car can be selected before the game starts, and the rotation speed of the motor is determined according to the selected car. Then, the reaction of the operation is made different depending on the type of car.

Specifically, when a vehicle type with a small turning effect is selected, a motor type is set so that the rotation of the motor can be made faster so that it can respond quickly to the operation, or a vehicle type that emphasizes engine power and speed rather than a small turning type is selected. When selected, the rotation of the motor is slowed down so that it is difficult to react to the operation. Alternatively, it is possible to change the rotation of the motor according to the type of tire such as normal tires, rain tires, special tires for off-road, and change the quickness and sharpness of the reaction to the operation by selecting the tire. You can also

In the twelfth aspect of the invention, the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller is changed in small steps by the vibrating means. Then, as described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention, since the riding section moves when the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller changes, the riding section can be moved in small steps. Here, since the direction of the pressing roller changes in the cycle of vibration, the riding section moves in the cycle of vibration. That is, the boarding section moves as if vibration was applied. As described above, according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, it is possible to experience the vibration during actual driving or steering.

[0051]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a riding section drive device applied to a driving simulator. In short, when the player operates the handle 10, the riding section drive device moves the carriage 44 laterally, and accordingly the seat 46 moves in an arc around the universal joint 14. A configuration for this will be described below.

Shaft portion 12 of handle 10 as an operating portion
Has a well-known universal joint 14 formed to bend in all directions of 360 degrees and is fixed to one end of a lever 18. By having the universal joint 14, the handle 10 can be turned left or right within a predetermined range regardless of the cutting angle, and conversely, the shaft portion 12 is bent in either the left or right direction. However, the handle 10 can be turned. Thus, the rotational movement of the handle 10 causes the lever 18 to swing about the shaft portion 12.

The lever 18 is rotatably pin-connected to one end of the connecting link 20, and the other end of the connecting link 20 is rotatably pin-connected to one end of the lever 22.
One end of a transmission shaft 24 is fixed to the other end of 2. Therefore, since the parallel link mechanism is constituted by the lever 18, the connecting link 20, and the lever 22, the rotation of the handle 10 is transmitted to rotate the transmission shaft 24. The transmission shaft 24 is rotatably supported by the support portions 24a and 24b.

Further, one end of a driving arm 26 is fixed to the other end of the transmission shaft 24, and one end of a connecting arm 28 is rotatably pin-coupled to the other end of the driving arm 26. The end is rotatably pin-connected to the end of the driven arm 30. When the drive arm 26 is swung by the rotation of the transmission shaft 24, the driven arm 30 is swung on a plane different from the swing plane. The detailed operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Here, the driven arm 30 is the pressing roller 3
It forms a part of the support portion 32 that supports the support 6.

That is, the support portion 32 includes the press roller 36.
Both ends of the rotary shaft are held, and the pressing roller 36 is pressed against the driving roller 38 by a biasing means (not shown), and the driven arm 30 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction. In this way, the support portion 32 can change the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller 36 by swinging the driven arm 30.

In short, the driving arm 26 and the connecting arm 2
The link mechanism composed of 8 and the driven arm 30 serves as an angle changing means of the pressure roller 36.

Further, the supporting portion 32 is formed by the driving roller 3
While moving in the rotation axis direction along the rotation side surface of 8,
Movement is restricted in the direction around the axis of the rotating shaft. Note that a specific configuration for that purpose is omitted in FIG. 1, and will be described later based on FIGS. 4 to 9.

Next, the drive roller 38 is adapted to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow by the rotation of the motor 40 transmitted by the belt 42, and the pressure contact roller 36 is pressed against the drive roller 38 to rotate. It is like this.

In the embodiment, the drive roller 38 and the pressure contact roller 36 have a simple cylindrical shape, and when the two rotary shafts are parallel, the rotational force of the drive roller 38 remains unchanged.
Is transmitted as a force to rotate. More generally, both rollers may have other rotating body shapes (for example, barrel shape, drum shape, frustoconical shape, etc.) as long as the contact strain at the press contact portion is zero or small enough to be ignored. In this case, if the rotating shafts of both rollers are in the same plane, the rolling directions of the rotating side surfaces of both rollers in the press contact portion are perpendicular to that plane, so the rolling direction in the press contact portion is the same and Is transmitted as it is as the rotational force of the pressure contact roller. When the drive roller 38 has an hourglass shape, the pressure contact roller 3 is formed along the surface of the hourglass shape (the shape in which the diameter decreases from the end to the center).
6 moves.

When the driven arm 30 is swung, the pressing roller 36 rotates in a direction different from that of the driving roller 38. Then, the rolling direction of the rotating side surface of the pressure roller 36 and the drive roller 38 at the pressure contact portion
The rotation force of the drive roller 38 is different from the rotation direction of the rotation side surface of the drive roller 38, and the rotation force of the drive roller 38 does not all rotate the pressure contact roller 36, and the rotation of the drive roller 38 along the rotation side surface of the drive roller 38. A component force that moves the pressure roller 36 in the axial direction is generated. Then, the pressure roller 36 moves along the rotating side surface.

The movement at this time will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are both viewed from the rear of the apparatus in FIG. 1, and are illustrated by omitting members other than those necessary for explanation.

As shown in FIG. 2A, first, when the handle 10 is arranged in the straight direction, the driving arm 26, the connecting arm 28, and the driven arm 30 are arranged so as to draw an inverted triangle, and the pressure contact roller 36 is As shown in FIG. 1, the driving roller 38 is disposed substantially in the middle in the axial direction. Further, the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller 36 is the same as the rotation direction of the drive roller 38 (see FIG. 1).

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the handle 10 is turned to the right by a predetermined angle θ, the transmission shaft 24 (see FIG. 1) rotates to the right, so that the driving arm 26 swings to the right. And the driven arm 3 via the connecting arm 28.
0 is swung to the right. The swinging of the driven arm 30 causes the pressure contact roller 36 to tilt clockwise in FIG. That is, the rolling direction of the rotating side surface of the pressure contact portion of the pressure contact roller 36 is oriented in a direction intersecting the rolling direction of the rotating side surface of the drive roller 38.

More specifically, when the rotational force of the driving roller 38 is caught in a plane, this rotation is directed downward on the contact surface side with the pressure contact roller 36 (see FIG. 1), which is shown in FIG. The velocity vector V is shown in (a). Also, FIG.
In (a), since the pressure contact roller 36 faces the same direction as the drive roller 38, this rotation also faces downward as seen in a plane like the velocity vector V.

However, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the pressure contact roller 36 is inclined, the pressure contact roller 36 cannot rotate downward, and the pressure contact roller 36 rotates in an oblique direction.
You can only move left and right. To be precise, the movement in the left-right direction is movement in the rotation axis direction of the drive roller 38, and the pressure contact roller 36 can move in this direction.
This is because the support 32 can move in this direction. In addition,
A specific configuration therefor is omitted here.

Therefore, the velocity vector V of the driving roller 38 is transmitted to the pressure contact roller 36 as a velocity vector V1 and a velocity vector V2, as shown in FIG. 2 (b). Here, the velocity vector V1 is the velocity in the same direction as the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller 36, and is the speed at which the pressure contact roller 36 is rotated. The velocity vector V2 is the velocity of the drive roller 38 in the direction of the rotation axis, and is the velocity at which the pressure roller 36 is moved in this direction.

Thus, in the state of FIG. 2B, the handle 1
When 0 is maintained, the pressing roller 36 gradually moves in the direction of the velocity vector V2, and gradually changes from the inclined state to the upright state, as shown in FIG. 2 (c).

More specifically, the driving arm 26 includes the handle 1
It cannot move because it holds 0. Further, since the driven arm 30 is integrated with the support portion 32 (see FIG. 1) and forms a part thereof, the relative position with respect to the pressure contact roller 36 does not change (from FIG. 2A to (f). ), The angle formed between the driven arm 30 and the pressure contact roller 36 remains unchanged).

Therefore, since the driving arm 26 does not move, the connecting arm 28 can swing only around the connecting portion with the driving arm 26.
Does not move left or right. Moreover, the pressure roller 36
Moves only left and right while changing the rotation direction, and does not move vertically.

Then, the movement of the connecting portion between the connecting arm 28 and the driven arm 30 is restricted to the left and right. Then, the driven arm 30 cannot move in parallel, and swings around the connecting portion with the connecting arm 28, as shown in FIG.
The state shown in FIG. Further, since the angle formed by the driven arm 30 and the pressure contact roller 36 is invariable, the pressure contact roller 36 changes from the tilted state of FIG. 2B to the upright state of FIG. 2C.

In this way, the pressure contact roller 36 tries to return from the tilted state to the upright state while moving the predetermined distance, and stops moving when the upright state is reached.

Therefore, the link mechanism composed of the driving arm 26, the connecting arm 28, and the driven arm 30 also constitutes an angle restoring means of the pressure roller 36.

Next, from the state of FIG. 2 (c), the handle 1
When 0 is cut to the left by 2θ, it becomes as shown in FIG. That is, the driving arm 26 swings left 2θ about the fixed portion with the transmission shaft 24 (see FIG. 1), and the pressure contact roller 36 changes its direction and is inclined to the left.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2D, the velocity vector V of the drive roller 38 is divided into a velocity vector V1 in the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller 36 and a velocity vector V2 in the direction in which the pressure contact roller 36 is moved. Is transmitted. Then, the pressure contact roller 3
6 is gradually moved to the left as shown in FIG. 6E, and the pressing roller 36 further moves to the left and gradually changes its direction from the tilted state to the upright direction. , The movement is stopped when it becomes upright as shown in FIG. This stop position is shown in
This is the position moved y from the position (a) to the left.

In this way, the pressing roller 36 moves to the left and right in the direction of the rotation axis of the drive roller 38 (see FIG. 1) in response to the operation of the handle 10 and stops at a position advanced by a predetermined distance.

The above-mentioned operation is an operation when the handle 10 is once turned right by an angle θ and then left by an angle 2θ. That is, with the straight-ahead position as a reference, the handle 10 is rotated left and right by the same angle θ.

As described above, in any case, the left and right are moved by the distance y, so that the turning angle of the handle 10 corresponds to the moving distance. Moreover, the larger the cutting angle of the handle 10, the longer the moving distance, and the smaller the cutting angle, the smaller the moving distance.

Next, in FIG. 3, contrary to the operation shown in FIG.
Turn the handle 10 once to the left by the angle θ and then to the right to the angle 2
This is the operation when θ is turned off.

First, FIG. 3A shows the same state as FIG. 2A. And FIG.3 (b) is the same state as FIG.2 (e), Furthermore, FIG.3 (c) is the same state as FIG.2 (f). Therefore, when the handle 10 is turned to the left by θ, the pressing roller 36 moves leftward by the distance y by the same operation as described above.

Then, when the handle 10 is turned to the right by an angle 2θ from the state shown in FIG. 3C, the state shown in FIG. 3D is obtained. That is, in FIG. 3C, since the driving arm 26 and the driven arm 30 are parallel to each other, the driving arm 26 moves to the right at an angle 2θ by moving the handle 10.
It swings, and the driven arm 30 also swings to the right in parallel with this by an angle 2θ. Then, as the driven arm 30 swings, the pressure contact roller is also inclined to the right.

In this state, as described above,
By the component of the rotational force of the drive roller 38, the pressure contact roller 3
6 moves to the right, goes through the state of FIG.
As shown in (f), the pressing roller 36 stops moving when it stands upright. The moved distance is rightward by the distance y from the initial position of FIG.

As described above, not only in the case of operating the handle 10 as shown in FIG. 2 but also in the case of operating the handle 10 as shown in FIG. , In the direction corresponding to the operation of the handle 10,
Moreover, the handle 10 is moved by a distance corresponding to the cutting angle.

Then, in FIG. 1, when the pressing roller 36 moves, the carriage 44 also moves in the same direction, and the carriage 4
Corresponding to the movement of 4, the seat 46, like the handle 10, changes its direction to the right and left around the position of the universal joint 14 by a predetermined angle.
However, a specific configuration therefor is omitted in FIG. 1 and will be described below.

FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 are more specific versions of the device shown in FIG. 1 and show a racing game device to which the riding section drive device according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of this racing game device.

As shown in FIG. 4, this racing game device is provided with two simulators 50, 50 so that two players can play the racing game. Each simulator 50 has a display 52, and the player plays the racing game while watching each display 52. In addition, each simulator 5
0s are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit / receive each other, so that a competitive racing game can be played. Note that the means therefor is not directly related to the present invention, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Further, in FIG. 4, the simulator 50
Is provided with a boarding section 56 on the base section 54, and the boarding section 5
6 has a seat 58 and a handle 60, which the player can operate.

FIG. 5 shows one simulator 5 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a side view in which a part of 0 is cut out so that the internal structure can be seen, FIG. 6 is its front view, and FIG. 7 is its plan view. First, a configuration similar to that already described with reference to FIG. 1 will be briefly described.

In FIG. 5, the shaft portion 62 attached to the center of the handle 60 is attached to the gear 66 via the universal joint 64. And gear 6
As shown in FIG. 6, 6 is attached so as to rotate the lever disc 68, and the connecting link 70 connected to the lever disc 68 is connected to the lever 72. Further, the lever 72 is rotatably attached to the transmission shaft 74. When the transmission shaft 74 rotates, the driving arm 76 and the connecting arm 7 are rotated.
The pressure contact roller 86 can be moved by a link mechanism composed of 8 and the driven arm 80.

Since these structures are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the pressure contact roller 86 is supported by the support portion 82 and presses against the drive roller 88, and the rotation of the motor 90 is transmitted by the belt 92 as shown in FIG.
Is also similar to the configuration of FIG. 1 described above. A trolley 94 is provided in the base portion 54 corresponding to the trolley 44 briefly described in FIG.

Next, a configuration not disclosed in FIG. 1 will be described. Specifically, the urging means of the pressure contact roller 86 and the moving means of the riding section 56 will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on. In addition, FIG.
9 is a rear view in which a part of the is cut away so that the internal structure can be seen, and FIG. 9 is a plan view thereof.

In FIG. 5, the support portion 82 is partially fixed to the carriage 94 (see FIG. 8). Specifically, the support portion 82 includes an outer cylinder 82a fixed to the carriage 94, a pressure contact pipe 82b disposed on the pressure contact roller 86 side, a pressure contact shaft 82c disposed on the driven arm 80 side, and a spring 82d.
And.

Then, the pressure welding shaft 82c is attached to the pressure welding pipe 82b.
So that they slide only in the axial direction and do not rotate around the axis. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure contact pipe 82b is housed in the outer cylinder 82a with the pressure contact shaft 82c inserted therethrough, one end of the spring 82d is brought into contact with the inner end of the outer cylinder 82a, and the other end thereof is pressed against the pressure contact pipe 82a. When the end portion of 82b is brought into contact with and the biasing force of this spring 82d is applied, the pressure contact pipe 82b tends to project outward. As a result, a biasing force can be applied to the pressing roller 86.

The supporting portion 82 receives a reaction of the urging force with respect to the pressure contact roller 86.
The casters 96 provided on the No. 4 are supported by coming into contact with the angle members 98 fixed to the base 54. Therefore, a reaction is not applied to the driven arm 80 and the driven arm 80 is not deformed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the carriage 94 is provided with casters 100 at its lower end so that it can move above the drive roller 88 along the rotation axis. As described above, since the supporting portion 82 of the pressure contact roller 86 is fixed to the carriage 94, the carriage 94 moves corresponding to the movement of the pressure contact roller 86.

Next, a structure for moving the riding section 56 by moving the carriage 94 will be described.

First, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the riding section 56 is forwardly mounted on the base section 54 via the rotary shaft 102.
Attached to. The rotary shaft 102 is provided below the universal joint 64, as shown in detail in FIG. 5, and the riding section 56 can rotate about the position where the universal joint 64 bends.

A seat 58 is provided behind the riding section 56.
As shown in FIG. 8, it is placed on a trolley 94 via a caster 104 provided below. Moreover,
A movable roller 106 that rotates around an upright axis is provided below the riding section 56, and a pair of abutting members 108 are provided on the upper surface of the carriage 94. Therefore, the trolley 94
When the vehicle moves along the rotation axis of the driving roller 88, the contact member 108 pushes the moved roller 106 to move the riding section 56. To be precise, the riding section 56 is rotated about the rotation shaft 102 to change its direction.

Here, the movement of the riding section 56 is based on the rotation axis 10
The movement of the carriage 94 is a linear movement along the rotation axis of the drive roller 88 as described above, while the movement of the carriage 94 is an arc that draws an arc about 2. That is, the boarding section 5
The relative positions of 6 and the trolley 94 change with the movement.

Therefore, when the movement of the carriage 94 is transmitted to the riding section 56, the caster 104 and the driven roller 106 are used.
, And these are moved slightly back and forth on the dolly 94, so that changes in the relative position can be dealt with.

Thus, when the pressure contact roller 86 moves along the rotation axis of the drive roller 88 in response to the operation of the handle 60, the trolley 94 to which the support portion 82 supporting the pressure contact roller 86 is fixed is also accompanied with this. To move. Then, the contact member 108 provided on the dolly 94 pushes the caster 104 provided under the riding section 56,
Move the boarding section 56. Specifically, this boarding section 56
The direction is changed right and left around the rotation shaft 102. Then, the player is given a feeling close to that of actual driving.

In the above embodiment, the pressure contact roller 36 and the drive roller 38 have a simple cylindrical shape, and while the pressure contact roller moves linearly along the rotation side surface of the drive roller 38, the riding portion 56 causes the universal joint 14 to move. In order to move on an arc centered on the position of, the cross-sectional shape of the rotating side surface of the drive roller 38 is, for example, an arc shape centered on the position of the universal joint 14 (the entire drive roller 38). Is a drum shape, and pressure roller 3
When 6 is moved along the arc, the pressure contact roller 36 may be directly fixed to the riding section 56, and in other cases, there are various moving means for moving the riding section 56. Possible configurations.

In addition to the above, by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 90, a feeling closer to that of an actual vehicle can be given.

For example, in the virtual space in which the display 52 is displayed, the motor 90 is stopped when the vehicle stops running or slows down. The unnatural situation in which the section 56 moves is eliminated, and even when the player quits the game and tries to exit from the boarding section 56 during the game, the boarding section 56 does not move abruptly and is safe.

Alternatively, in the virtual space, the rotation speed of the motor 90 is increased as the traveling speed of the vehicle increases,
If the rotation speed of the motor 90 is reduced as the traveling speed becomes slower, the movement of the riding section 56 corresponds to the traveling speed. For example, when the rotation of the motor 90 is increased, the drive roller 88 rotates at a high speed, the riding section 56 moves quickly, and the player feels high-speed running.

Alternatively, in the virtual space, the rotation speed of the motor 90 is increased when the moving environment is set to be good, and the rotation speed of the motor 90 is decreased when the moving environment is set to be bad. For example, when the car is set to run on dry asphalt, the rotation speed of the motor 90 is increased to improve the reaction, and when the car is set to run in the rain or sand, the rotation speed of the motor 90 is set. For example, when the passenger is lowered and the boarding section 56 is moved slightly behind the operation of the handle 60.

Alternatively, in the virtual space, the motor 9 may be set under preset conditions according to the type of car and the type of tire.
The rotation speed of 0 may be determined. For example, when rain tires are selected in the rain, the motor 90
The rotation speed of the motor 90 is slightly increased to improve the reaction, and when the slick tire is selected in the rain, the rotation speed of the motor 90 is significantly decreased to deteriorate the reaction.

The rotation control of the motor 90 as described above is performed by a computer. Specifically, it is set in advance based on a preset game program, a player's operation of a steering wheel, an accelerator, a brake, and a shift lever, a course, a vehicle type, or tires selected by the player before the game starts. According to your requirements
It is controlled by the computer.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The device shown in the figure is different from the device shown in FIG. 1 in the mechanism for transmitting the rotational movement of the handle 110 to the press roller 136.

That is, the rotation of the shaft portion 112 provided on the handle 110 is transmitted to the gear 116 via the gear 114, and the lever 118 provided on the gear 116
The connecting link 120 is linearly moved in the axial direction. In the linear motion of the connecting link 120, the L-shaped lever 122 has the central axis 1
By swinging about 22a as a center, the direction is changed and transmitted as a linear motion of the connecting link 124 in the axial direction. The linear movement of the connecting link 124 is changed by the L-shaped lever 126 swinging about the central axis 126a, and is transmitted as the linear movement of the connecting link 128 in the axial direction. Further, the linear movement of the connecting link 128 is transmitted to the driven arm 130 of the supporting portion 132 that supports the pressure contact roller 136, and changes the direction of the pressure contact roller 136 about the central axis 132a.

Thus, when the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller 136 is changed, the pressure contact roller 136 is moved to the drive roller 138 as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
Move along the rotating side of. The drive roller 138
The rotation of the motor 140 is transmitted by the rotation of the belt 142.

When the pressure roller 136 moves,
Since the support portion 132 supporting the pressure contact roller 136 is attached to the riding portion 144, the riding portion 14
4 moves in a direction that changes its direction around the rotation shaft 144a.

Thus, when the riding section 144 changes its orientation, the seat 146 attached to this riding section 144 also changes its orientation. The handle 110
The shaft 112 is provided with a universal joint (not shown) so that the handle 110 can also be turned.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which the vibrating means of the riding section is applied to the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of this vibrating means, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing its circuit. Then, in short, the vibration of the riding section is given by using the vibration device 150 shown in FIG. 11A instead of the gear 116 and the lever 118 in FIG.

In the vibration device 150, the gear 152 has the motor 1
54 is provided, and the worm 155 attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 154 rotates the crank gear 156. The rotation of the crank gear 156 is caused by the connecting link 158 and the L-shaped link 160.
The connecting link 120 (see FIG. 10) is adapted to linearly move in the axial direction.

Specifically, when the motor 154 is rotated in one direction, the connecting link 120 makes a reciprocating linear motion. Therefore, the pressure link roller 136 (see FIG. 10) is generated by the reciprocating linear movement of the connecting link 120 at a constant cycle.
Can change the direction little by little, and the direction of the riding section 144 can be changed little by little. Therefore, by adjusting the rotation speed of the motor 154 so that the movement of the riding section 144 becomes close to the movement of vibration, the player can be given vibration close to that of the actual vehicle. Moreover, since the motor 154 only needs to change the direction of the pressure roller 136, it does not require a large driving force.

Further, the vibration device 150 has a micro switch 162 so that the crank gear 156 stops at a predetermined position. This micro switch 162 is
By detecting the angle of the connecting link 158 by contacting the side end of the connecting link 158, it is possible to detect whether the crank of the crank gear 156 is in a predetermined position or in another position.

In this way, the position where the crank gear 156 stops is always set to a predetermined position, so that the position of the handle 110 and the direction of the pressure contact roller 136 always correspond to each other. For example, when the handle 110 is positioned in the straight direction, the pressure contact roller 136 is always oriented straight.

Next, the operation of such a vibration device 150 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the same figure, a state is shown in which the micro switch 162 detects that the crank gear 156 is at a predetermined stop position and the motor 154 is stopped.

When the switch 164 is turned on by a command from a computer (not shown), the voltage of the power source E is applied and the motor 154 rotates. And FIG.
The pressure contact roller 136 shown in FIG.
Vibration is given to 44. Here, the instruction of the computer is given according to a preset condition. For example, the instruction is issued when the player's car deviates from the course and runs on gravel in a virtual space. Has become.

In this way, it is set so that the vibration is eliminated when the play is continued while the vibration is given and then the car returns to the course again. Therefore, the computer issues a command to turn off the switch 164. However, when the crank gear 156 is not in the predetermined stop position, the micro switch 162 is in conduction with the contact 1, so the motor 154 does not stop immediately. Then, when the crank gear 156 reaches the stop position, the micro switch 162 conducts to the contact 2 and the motor 154 stops.

With the above structure, it is possible to give vibrations to the riding section and give the player a feeling that is more like driving of an actual vehicle.

Next, a reaction force applying means for applying a reaction force to the steering wheel will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing this reaction force applying means. In the figure, the shaft portion 17 of the handle 170 is shown.
2, a drum 173 is provided, and the rotational force of the servo motor 174 can be transmitted to the drum 173 by a belt 176.

Therefore, by applying a torque in the direction opposite to the rotation by the player to the shaft portion 172 by the servo motor 174, a reaction force can be applied to the steering wheel. Specifically, the reaction force is applied by detecting the rotation angle of the shaft portion 172 and controlling the servomotor 174 to rotate in either direction in accordance with the detected angle.

Since such reaction force applying means is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-271382, detailed description will be omitted.

The above-mentioned embodiments are all applications of the present invention to a racing game, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the present invention may be applied to a simulator for training not limited to games. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a simulator for driving a car but also to a simulator for an aircraft, a ship, or a special vehicle.

As a modification of this embodiment, for example, the drive roller 38 (see FIG. 1) may be provided with a protrusion. The protrusion is
It is possible to provide one, but it is preferable to provide a plurality of them, and when the pressing roller 36 presses on this protrusion, rattling and vibration are generated. Then, this vibration can give a feeling of running on gravel.

[0130]

According to the present invention, the riding section of the player can be moved with a feeling similar to actual driving or maneuvering. In particular, by moving the riding section by the driving roller and the pressure contact roller, a quick reaction can be obtained as compared with the case where the riding section is moved by other means.

Further, according to the inventions of claims 8 to 11, the quickness of the movement of the riding section can be brought closer to the actual feeling.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, it is possible to experience a sensation close to actual vibration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an outline of an embodiment applied to a driving simulator.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view showing a racing game device to which the present invention is applied.

5 is a side view in which a part of the racing game device shown in FIG. 4 is cut away.

6 is a front view in which a part of the racing game device shown in FIG. 4 is cut away.

FIG. 7 is a plan view in which a part of the racing game device shown in FIG. 4 is cut away.

8 is a rear view in which a part of the racing game device shown in FIG. 4 is cut away.

9 is a plan view showing the operation of the racing game device shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are diagrams showing a vibrating means applied to the embodiment of FIG. 10, FIG. 11A being a perspective view and FIG. 11B being a circuit diagram.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a reaction force application device that applies a reaction force to the operation portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 60, 110, 170 Handle (operation part) 26, 76 Driving arm 28, 78 Connecting arm 30, 80, 130 Driven arm 32, 82, 132 Support part 36, 86, 136 Pressing roller 38, 88, 138 Driving roller 40, 90, 140 motors 46, 58, 146 seats 56, 144 riding section

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A riding section driving device of a simulator for giving a simulated experience in a preset virtual space, a riding section provided with an operating section for a player to board and operate, and a motor controlled by a control section. A drive roller that is driven to rotate by the drive roller, rotates while being pressed against the drive roller, and can change the direction of the rotation axis, and can move in the rotation axis direction of the drive roller along the rotation side surface of the drive roller. An angle formed between the rolling direction of the pressure contact roller on the rotating side surface of the drive roller and the rolling direction of the pressure contact portion on the rotating side surface of the drive roller in response to the operation of the operating portion. The direction of the rotary shaft of the pressure contact roller is changed so that the rotational force of the drive roller is converted into the moving force of the pressure contact roller so that the pressure contact roller moves. Degree changing means and the angle formed by the rolling direction at the pressure contact portion of the rotation side surface of the pressure contact roller and the rolling direction at the pressure contact portion of the rotation side surface of the drive roller is set to 0 according to the movement amount of the pressure contact roller. An angle returning means for changing the direction of the rotation axis of the pressure contact roller so as to decrease the pressure contact roller, and a predetermined direction or position of the riding section in response to the pressure contact roller moving along the rotation side surface of the drive roller. And a moving unit that moves the riding section to a predetermined direction or position in response to an operation of the operating section. 2. The riding part drive device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the pressure contact roller is provided on any one of an imaginary line extending parallel to a pressure contact direction with respect to the drive roller and an axis line of a rotation shaft of the drive roller. Is supported by a support portion having a driven arm extending in a direction intersecting with the driving roller, and the driving roller has a rotation side surface on the pressure contact roller side in a direction from a predetermined action point of the driven arm toward the virtual line. The angle changing means changes the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller by applying a force to the action point of the driven arm and swinging the driven arm around the virtual line, and the angle returning means When the pressure contact roller moves in the rotation axis direction of the drive roller along the rotation side surface of the drive roller, the movement of the action point in the rotation axis direction is restricted, Said returning the follower arm in the original direction about the point of action, the riding section drive unit of the simulator, characterized in that. 3. The riding section driving device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the operation section is the virtual point at the action point of the driven arm as the angle changing means and the angle returning means. A riding part driving device for a simulator, which includes a link mechanism which transmits as a motion in a direction in which the driven arm is swung about a line and allows the movement of the pressure contact roller in the rotation axis direction. 4. The riding part driving device for the simulator according to claim 3, wherein the link mechanism is the same as or substantially the same as the virtual line on a plane that is the same as or substantially parallel to the point of action of the driven arm and the driven arm. A driving arm having a swinging end that swings about a parallel line; and a connecting arm that is rotatably coupled to the swinging end of the driving arm and an action point of the driven arm. A boarding section drive device for a simulator characterized by: 5. The riding section drive device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the riding section is rotatably provided around a single point, and the moving unit is the press contact unit. A riding section drive device for a simulator, wherein motion of a roller along a rotation side surface of the drive roller is transmitted in a direction of rotating the riding section. 6. The riding section drive device for a simulator according to claim 5, wherein the operation section includes a handle for performing a rotation operation, and a seat on which a player sits and the handle are opposed to each other in the riding section. The drive roller is provided so as to be rotatable around the front of the handle, the drive roller is installed with a rotary shaft arranged in the left-right direction of the sheet, and the moving means is a rotation side surface of the drive roller of the pressure roller. A riding section driving device for a simulator, characterized in that the riding section is rotationally moved by transmitting the movement along the left and right directions to the riding section. 7. The riding section driving device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the angle changing unit moves the riding section in the operating direction of the operating section. The riding section drive device of the simulator, characterized in that the direction of the rotation axis of the vehicle is changed. 8. The riding section driving device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the control section controls the motor when the moving speed in the virtual space becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined speed. A riding section drive device for a simulator, characterized by stopping rotation. 9. The riding section drive device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the control section rotates the motor in response to a faster moving speed in the virtual space. A riding part driving device of a simulator, characterized in that the speed is increased and the rotation speed of the motor is decreased as the moving speed becomes slower. 10. The riding section driving device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the control section controls the rotation speed of the motor when the movement condition in the virtual space is good. And a rotation speed of the motor is lowered when the moving condition is not good, the riding part driving device of the simulator. 11. The riding section driving device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the control section is configured to preset a performance of a moving body of a player in a virtual space, A riding part driving device of a simulator, characterized in that the rotation speed of the motor is determined under preset conditions. 12. The riding section drive device for a simulator according to claim 1, wherein the angle changing means changes the rotation direction of the pressure contact roller in small increments in a cycle of vibration, A riding section driving device for a simulator, comprising: a vibrating means for vibrating the riding section.