Stationary drag racing simulation system

• US 6,505,503 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2000
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Teresi Publications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Teresi Publications Incorporated
• Inventors: Prince, Stewart P., Teresi, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALL, ERIC SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US09/579,078
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 731/12, 731/16, 731/17, 731/171, 731/172, 731/173, 731/21, 731/23, 731/26, 738/62, 738/620.8, 738/620.9, 738/621.91, 731/47, 738/656, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 340/441, 340/463, 340/466, 340/467, 340/468
• US Class Current: 73/118.01
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/042 providing simulation in a real vehicle G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/058 for teaching control of cycles or motorcycles

Abstract

The vehicle drag racing simulation system includes a drag racing simulation area typically for a plurality of vehicles, such as a flatbed of a truck. A restraining assembly is provided for rigidly securing the vehicles to the platform in a generally upright position. A rotatable drive wheel support member is also provided in each drag racing simulation area, having an outer face for rotatably engaging the drive wheels of the vehicles. The rotatable drive wheel support member is operatively engaged with an eddy current braking device allowing the application of a braking torque for simulating drag racing inertial, aerodynamic, and frictional forces. A brake torque sensor and control unit are provided for feedback control of the application of braking torque applied by the eddy current braking device based upon desired brake torque and actual brake torque applied. The elapsed time, reaction time, horsepower, revolutions per minute, simulated speed, and simulated forward progress of the vehicles can be displayed.

Claims

1. A drag racing simulation system for a vehicle having a drive wheel, for simulating drag racing while the vehicle remains stationary, the system comprising:

a rotatable drive wheel support member having an outer face for rotatably engaging the drive wheel of the vehicle;

a braking assembly operatively engaged with said rotatable drive wheel support member for applying a braking torque to said rotatable drive wheel support member and the drive wheel of the vehicle to simulate inertial, aerodynamic and frictional forces of drag racing the vehicle;

at least one sensor provided on the rotatable drive support member for monitoring a simulated forward progress of the simulated drag racing;

a control unit for determining a desired braking torque to be applied to said rotatable drive wheel support member and the drive wheel of the vehicle to simulate inertial, aerodynamic and frictional forces of drag racing the vehicle based upon input from said at least one sensor for monitoring the simulated forward progress, and for generating a desired braking torque signal to control application of braking torque by said braking assembly; and

a sensor for measuring an actual braking torque applied to said rotatable drive wheel support member and the drive wheel of the vehicle, means for comparing the actual braking torque with the desired braking torque signal to determine a braking torque error, and means for modifying the desired braking torque signal based upon said braking torque error.

2. The drag racing simulation system of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises a computer for controlling the application of braking torque to said rotatable drive wheel support member and the drive wheel of the vehicle to simulate inertial, aerodynamic and frictional forces of drag racing the vehicle based upon inputs from said at least one sensor for monitoring the simulated forward progress and from said means for modifying the desired braking torque signal based upon said braking torque error.

3. The drag racing simulation system of claim 1, further comprising a racing platform having a drag racing simulation area, and a restraining assembly for securing the vehicle to said platform in a generally upright position.

4. The drag racing simulation system of claim 3, wherein said racing platform has a plurality of drag racing simulation areas for simultaneous simulation of drag racing of a plurality of vehicles.

5. The drag racing simulation system of claim 3, wherein said restraining assembly comprises a plurality of non-elastic straps securing the vehicle to the platform.

6. The drag racing simulation system of claim 5, wherein said racing platform comprises a plurality of posts disposed on said drag racing simulation area, and said non-elastic straps are secured to said posts.

7. The drag racing simulation system of claim 3, wherein said racing platform comprises a flatbed of a truck.

8. The drag racing simulation system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor provided on the rotatable drive support member comprises a position sensor connected outside a main shaft bearing for measuring the rotation velocity and acceleration of the drive wheel.

9. The drag racing simulation system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is operated by a contestant, and wherein said at least one sensor comprises a first rotational sensor and a second rotational sensor operatively engaged with said rotatable drive wheel support member, said second rotational sensor being offset a predetermined rotational angle from the first rotational sensor for determining a reaction time of the contestant.

10. The drag racing simulation system of claim 1, further comprising at least one monitor for displaying at least one of a reaction time, elapsed time, horsepower, revolutions per minute, simulated speed, simulated acceleration, and simulated forward progress of the vehicle.

11. The drag racing simulation system of claim 10, further comprising a series of lights positioned in front of the vehicle for displaying the simulated forward progress of the vehicle.

12. A method for providing simulated drag racing for a plurality of vehicles while the vehicles remain stationary, each of the vehicles having a drive wheel, the steps of the method comprising:

providing a rotatable drive wheel support member having an outer face for each of the vehicles;

rotatably engaging the drive wheels of each of the vehicles to the outer face of the rotatable drive wheel support members;

monitoring a simulated forward progress of the simulated drag racing by at least one sensor provided for each of the rotatable drive support members;

applying a braking torque to said rotatable drive wheel support members and the drive wheels of each of the vehicles to simulate inertial, aerodynamic and frictional forces of drag racing the vehicles;

wherein said step of applying a braking torque comprises determining a desired braking torque to be applied to each said rotatable drive wheel support member and the drive wheel of the vehicle to simulate inertial, aerodynamic and frictional forces of drag racing the vehicle based upon input from said at least one sensor, and for generating a desired braking torque signal for controlling the application of braking torque to each of said rotatable drive wheel support members and the respective drive wheels of the vehicles to simulate inertial, aerodynamic and frictional forces of drag racing the vehicles; and

measuring an actual braking torque applied to each said rotatable drive wheel support member and the respective drive wheels of the vehicles, comparing the actual braking torque with the desired braking torque signal to determine a braking torque error for each of the vehicles, and modifying the desired braking torque signal based upon said braking torque error.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of monitoring the simulated forward progress of the simulated drag racing by at least one sensor comprises providing a position sensor connected outside a main shaft bearing for measuring the rotational velocity and acceleration of each of said rotatable drive wheel support members.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said plurality of vehicles are operated by a corresponding plurality of contestants, respectively, and further comprising the step of providing a first rotational sensor and a second rotational sensor operatively engaged with said rotatable drive wheel support member, said second rotational sensor being offset a predetermined rotational angle from the first rotational sensor for determining a reaction time for each of the contestants.

15. The drag racing simulation system of claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of vehicles is operated by a contestant, and further comprising the step of displaying at least one of a contestant'"'"'s reaction time, elapsed time, horsepower, revolutions per minute, simulated speed, simulated acceleration, and simulated forward progress for each of the vehicles.