Seat-driving device for simulation system

Abstract

A seat driving device of a simulation system for driving a seat on which a user of the simulation system sits is provided. The seat driving device includes a first member having a spherical surface, a second member making a relative motion with respect to the first member, two wheels rotatably coupled to the second member and rolling on and contacting the spherical surface of the first member, and two driving motors installed on the second member and connected to the wheels to rotate the wheels. The seat is installed on one of the first and second members.

1 . A seat driving device of a simulation system for driving a seat on which a user of the simulation system sits, the seat driving device comprising: 
 a first member having a spherical surface;    a second member making a relative motion with respect to the first member;    two wheels rotatably coupled to the second member and rolling on and contacting the spherical surface of the first member; and    two driving motors installed on the second member and connected to the wheels to rotate the wheels,    wherein the seat is installed on one of the first and second members.    
   
   
       2 . The seat driving device of  claim 1 , wherein axes about which the wheels rotate are located within substantially the same plane.  
   
   
       3 . The seat driving device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first member is supported to be rotatable with respect to a bottom surface of a building where the simulation system is installed; and    since the seat is installed on the first member, the first member which rolls on and contacts the wheels is rotated by the wheels rotated by the driving motors, so that the seat is rotated.    
   
   
       4 . The seat driving device of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a rotating support supporting the second member to be rotatable with respect to the bottom surface of the building about an axis that is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the building and passes through a center point of the spherical surface of the first member;    a moving element installed on the second member and movable between a first position which presses down on the bottom surface of the building to prevent the second member from rotating and a second position which is separated from the bottom surface of the building to allow the second member to rotate; and    a driving source moving the moving element.    
   
   
       5 . The seat driving device of  claim 3 , wherein the axes about which the wheels rotate are parallel to tangent lines at points where the wheels touch the spherical surface.  
   
   
       6 . The seat driving device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the second member is supported to be rotatable with respect to a bottom surface of a building where the simulation system is installed; and    since the seat is installed on the second member, and the first member is fixed onto the bottom surface of the building, the wheels which roll on and contact the first member are rotated on the spherical surface of the first member by the driving motors, so that the seat is rotated.    
   
   
       7 . The seat driving device of  claim 6 , wherein the second member comprises: 
 a motor coupling portion on which the driving motors are installed;    a seat coupling portion on which the seat is installed, the seat coupling portion rotatably coupled to the first member; and    a clutch selectively blocking a mechanical connection between the motor coupling portion and the seat coupling portion.