ACME DMS Patent

ACME Worldwide Enterprises, Inc. (“ACME”) announced that the US. Patent Office has issued ACME a patent for the Dynamic Motion Seat technology that is core to the company’s line of ultra-realistic motion cueing training systems. In formal terms, the patent “covers the dynamic motion seat”. The patent recognizes the innovation behind ACME’s DMS system that uses a unique, all-electric system to provide motion cueing that is so critical for realistic motion training.

The patent for invention number 8,827,709 was issued September 9, 2014 for embodiments of the present invention relate to dynamic motion seats for vehicle simulations and methods of use.

“The patent confirms ACME’s role as an industry leader for motion cueing seat systems.” said Randall Gurulé, President of ACME.

US 8827709 B1

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a weapon simulator that is at least partially controlled by a host computer and simulates near actual recoil forces of a weapon via a gun active recoil unit.

DESCRIPTION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/051,531, entitled “Dynamic Motion Seat”, to Randall Gurule, et al., filed on May 8, 2008, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

Embodiments of the present invention relate to dynamic motion seats for vehicle simulations and methods of use.

2. Description of Related Art

During maneuvering, significant somatic perceptions are available to drivers or pilots of vehicles and are induced by the inertial acceleration reaction on the drivers body and the coupling existing between the body and the actual vehicle seat. Such maneuvering exposes drivers to a broad range of vibratory information concerning vehicle dynamic states as well as configuration. It is well known that drivers employ these perceptions in the handling of their vehicles. Consequently, in the art of vehicle simulators an effort has been made to develop devices which provide a rendition of these cues in the simulation of vehicles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention can comprise at least five axes of motion which used in combination together replicate the relative magnitude of force felt on the body produced by vehicle motion. The unique capability of the present invention is that it can reproduce the forces on the body using a combination of hardware controlled by a computer with software that translates simulated vehicle motion data into seat motion. This seat motion is then interpreted by the body as vehicle motion. An embodiment of the present invention can utilize vehicle motion from simulated aircraft (fixed and rotary wing), spacecraft, ground vehicles, and seaborne vehicles. Several embodiments of the present invention can replicate the look of specific vehicles, but the concept of transitioning simulated vehicle motion into dynamic seat motion remains the same over all of the variations.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a dynamic motion seat (DMS) system that simulates vehicle motion. This embodiment comprises a seat comprising at least one motor, at least one mechanical linkage, and at least five axes of motion and a DMS computer that translates data from a host computer and creates corresponding seat motion signals, wherein the DMS computer is in communication with a host computer and electronic components. The electronic components covert the seat motion signals from the DMS computer into drive signals that trigger the motor. The motor actuates at least one mechanical linkage to cause movement in at least one axes of the five axes of motion to simulate vehicle motion in the seat wherein the motor is in communication with the electronic components.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dynamic motion seat system comprises a monitor connected to the DMS computer. The five axes of motion are preferably squab heave, bucket heave, tilt, sway, and surge. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the dynamic motion seat system can comprise a safety interlock, a tune tab, a test tab, a seat pad and a backpad. The seat and back pad can move independently.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical linkage can comprise at least one bell crank, at least one rod and/or both. The electronic components preferably comprise a motor controller.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a method for simulating vehicle motion for training a subject. This embodiment comprises seating the subject in a seat having at least 5 axes of motion, a motor, and at least one mechanical linkage, initializing a vehicle motion simulation via a host computer that is in communication with a dynamic motion seat (DMS) computer, sending signals to the DMS computer from the host computer regarding how the seat should move based on the simulation, translating the signals to create corresponding seat motion signals, converting the seat motion signals received from the DMS computer into drive signals via electronic components, triggering movement of the seat via a motor in communication with the electronic components, actuating a selected mechanical linkage to cause movement in at least one axes of the five axes of motion of the seat to simulate vehicle motion that is felt by the subject, wherein the simulated vehicle motion replicates the relative magnitude of force produced by an actual vehicle in motion, correlating the simulated vehicle motion to a visual view of a vehicle in motion presented to the subject in the seat and training the subject to respond to the vehicle motion.

The method can comprise moving one or more of the five axes of motion independently of the other axes of motion. In this embodiment, the subject can respond to the vehicle motion via a steering wheel, a control stick, one or more pedals, and/or a throttle.

Objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

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