Kanuk's first foray into the world of motion simulation...

Hello Gents (and Ladies, if any of you are reading),

Good day to all of you.
So an introduction may be in order and thus it shall be.

I've always been interested in motion simulation and stumbling upon this site has me actually doing something about it now. I must apologise for any first hand n00by type q's as there is no previous knowledge but I do have extensive experience in large scale radio control modelling and thereby am quite confident about it all (possibly for all the wrong reasons!).

Right here is where I will pause to thank @noorbeast and @SeatTime for the help and time given to me around some explanations and guidance towards this project and I must say that it is truly appreciated!

So, I have started.
The build I mean. I have purchased 3 units of Dell PSU's and am about to pick them up in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, I have started the planing stage and would like to post the drawings here for revision, comments, criticism, guidance and other handy bits and pieces that may come my way from all of your experiences.

My electronics will be based around JRK 12V12's and the 12v Motion Dynamic 200W motors with 60:1 Ratio Gearboxes from MotionDynamics. Any advice on the type of pot's I should acquire? There seems to be whole heap of them and want to make sure I get the right ones. I've also seen reduction gears and those without so am not sure as to the applications between the two formats....

Thanks again guys!

Welcome and good luck with your project

Thanks Daguru!

Here is the Seat Plate frame and pivot point concept from side view

The Shoulder bracket

I created (in my head) a point of adjustability so that I could either move it for seat reclination or adjust the angle of the connecting rods from the motors to adjust its characteristics....

The Rear view of the unit...

And the overall view with the Foot Frame Rails

Before setting the position of the Uni Joint , don't use a CV unless near new and you place an A frame stabilizer so the seat can not rotate, because all CV will eventually end with a quite a bit of rotational slop in them once under load and moving.
Set up the seat with everything on it wheel ,pedals etc. then find the balance point of the top , this will be the centre of your pivot. Please not this will give off nice flight motion but wont produce the body shacking a seat mover can produce which to me is needed to simulate racing.

Good Morning Good Sir!

Ah yes. Sagely advice.
So, what you are pointing to is the ergonomics of the body at rest when seated correct? he relationship of weight transfer at rest so that the 'rest weight' is carried on entirety of one's posterior along with the lower portion of the thighs, optimally until back of knee point?
Would this be solved by spacing the front mounting points of the seat so that the base of the seat is inclined? This would allow the weight to rest evenly... One would have to have the ability to adjust the reclination of the seat of course to bring one's back forward (And since I am using seats out of a car (without its frame rails or electronics to save weight) I can adjust that easily enough. does your chair give you lumbar/back recline facility?

And yes, I went to bed and thought of the very same thing you did with the slots (LOL!) ...
great minds and all that

And thank you so much for that pot link. No reduction needed yes? Just a straight coupling?

Regards to all @ xsimulator

Thank you sir.
And yes, the CV joint was an option (only because there is one sitting in my garage!) but I will go down the path of a Universal instead. I can see the issues you good gentlemen have pointed out and do not wish for secondary issues to pop up now or later....

And @eaorobbie I want to thank you endlessly for the piece of advice regarding the centre pivot balance point. This is critical to me. My first need for this simulator is to primarily serve my addiction to Elite Dangerous. I played the original as a young lad on my BBC micro B and now with the re-release I have been given a new lease of enjoyment! So the flight simulator motion aspect is super important to me! however its second utilisation will be for GRID Autosport so I am looking for, some kind of, adjustability without compromise. I know, I'm being greedy, but one must aim for the highest to achieve something somewhere int he middle I believe LOL!

In all honesty I would much prefer the dynamics of a fluid motion more (and one with a great amount of angle) so than that of a body shaker (I am a parent, I have kids, I get shaken enough! ) and my question would be, it would still be quite enjoyable as a driving simulator would it not? Given that the motion may not be as accurate a a real vehicle... And also, having had no experience with SimTools and its plug-ins, would it be fair to assume that I can adjust the range of motion (in terms of intensity and speed) individually for its application?

Regards.

Yes sir. You guessed correctly. In fact I already planning an add-on rail system to move the pivot point electronically by way of a torque motor drive system acquiring its signal from the config file of the game / sim so that the minute you fire it up, the seat will adjust....

Also, I understand that I will need the seat higher for the range of motion I would require for the flight aspect. would that be correct?

Yes. My foot frame is removable as well. The bolts under the seat plate will allow that. But it isnt something I would do I think... I want the same motion in the car sim as in my whole body feeling the twist and turns, but with less motion range and with higher feedback intensity (as in turning up the 'judder and the shudder'). I hope this can be done......

And If I make a mistake in its overall height it would be a trip to Bunnings for me to purchase some concrete pavers me thinks! LOL!

Got it!
I will keep all this in mind on the commencing build....

My agreeance would be with you @noorbeast .
The most used is going to be the flight sim (Eliteangeorus) aspect of the chair and then as a driver. Plus, rightly or wrongly, the concept of your pedals and steering not turning with you kinda feels odd with me.

But at the very least I have the ability to remove the rails and use fixed pedals if I want to.

Another question, how does the angle of the connecting rod affect the motion (closer to seat, more movement, less push - farther from seat, less angle of movement, more push?)
or have I got this wrong? Also, height points to shoulder mount. Does my drawing plan have it correct or should I be higher and any explanation would be well received....

Thanks for that @noorbeast

Could you please clarify what 'A' is referring to sir?