A New Fighter Simulator Based on a Full Spinning Six Degrees-of-freedom Parallel Mechanism Platform

This paper presents an innovative motion base for flight simulator, which is based on the new six degrees-offreedom parallel mechanism, called ‘Eclipse-II’. Most conventional simulators adopt the Stewart platform as its motion base. The Stewart platform is a six degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism that enables both translational and rotational motions. However, the motions such as continuous 360-degree overturn of the aircraft or continuous 360degree spin of the flight are impossible since the platform can only tilt as much as ±20-30 degrees. The Eclipse-II mechanism created by the authors allows continuous 360-degree rotation in A, B and C-axis as well as X, Y and Zaxis translational motions. The paper introduces briefly the kinematic design issues of the Eclipse II platform including singularity avoidance problems. Then, the design and development issue of the working sample machine is followed. It is a miniature machine, which demonstrate successfully the original idea regarding the general motion simulation. Finally, the paper presents the design and development issue of the real one-man riding flight simulator, which will be completed by the summer of 2005. This Eclipse flight simulator is the only one by which all the motions in the space can be simulated. The conceptual design accommodates a fighter’s cockpit inside the machine. It is controlled by a set of joystick and pedal input. All the translational and rotational motions of the platform can be synchronized in real time with the dynamic images of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002.