Workout in virtual worlds with curved linear guides

Details: Released: 27.06.2016; Last updated: 25.01.2024; Hits: 10619

The Icaros GmbH brings a new type of sports equipment onto the market. With the device, the company managed to combine fitness equipment and Virtual reality flight simulator. Anyone who climbs in can experience the dream of flying like Icarus from ancient times. But in contrast to the namesake and Greek myth, the developers made no compromises when choosing the right components and chose the Linear Technology the robust ones Bow guides the “Curviline” from Rollon .

Contents

The dream of flying
Precise linear technology for steady flight
- Tailored and exact specifications
- Soft movements during rapid load changes
The idea of a thesis
- Test with the sports equipment prototype

The dream of flying

Following the example of Greek mythology, Johannes Scholl glides over a narrow river, past a spectacular mountain range. Then, just before a cloud front, he shifts his weight and goes into a dive. But unlike the cocky Icarus, who got too close to the sun, the industrial designer's adventure doesn't end in the sea. He doesn't need wings for this, just one Virtual Reality Brille – and his fitness machine Icaros.

Scholl is the creative mind behind it Light metal frame, which is mounted on a solid stand and can be freely pivoted up to 50 degrees along its transverse axis. The built-in linear technology from Rollon GmbH plays a central role in the virtual flight. And not without reason: just a slight muscle tension is enough and the sensors on the frame, which can be moved in all directions, transfer the new body position to the flight simulation.

Precise linear technology for steady flight

For having the dream of flying Johannes Scholl and his colleague, Hyve board member Michael Schmidt, combining two axes to create a fitness device for workouts in virtual worlds. “Icaros allows the user to dynamically assume different positions in the roll axis and tilt axis,” says Johannes Scholl, explaining the principle behind it.

Curves like that roll axis from Icaros are an individual matter. "Even with rapid load changes and shifts of emphasis a low friction and smooth movement must be guaranteed ", Michael Schmidt adds.

On the recommendation of the plant manufacturer involved novega The two turned to the Rollon Group, a leading full-service provider and system supplier for linear technology, to design the roll axis. In Düsseldorf, the headquarters of the German branch, the specialists recommended the Curviline curved guides with radial bearings.

The system is electrolytically galvanized and consists of the rail and one or more runners. Curviline is suitable for applications where both straight and curved movements are required - as is the case with the fitness device.

The curved guides are normally used in industrial environments and in the construction of ships and rail vehicles. They are designed to be correspondingly robust to provide protection against corrosion ISO 2081. to ensure. They are suitable for machine enclosures, door systems or packaging stations. In the latter, they ensure that rounded security doors run smoothly. Such a real glass pane weighs 60 to 90 kg - a weight class that is also typical for athletes on Icaros.

Tailored and exact specifications

For Icaros linear technology specialist realized the rail to the desired radius in the required length, and tailored to your exact specifications. The manufacturer's flexibility is for the product "a real plus in cooperation" how stressed at Icaros.

It's not just impressive when it comes to robustness and smooth running Curvilines. The curved guides are available in various versions with constant and variable radii in rail widths of 16,5 and 23 mm. A single rail can include both curved and straight sections. Depending on the application, the galvanized steel rails ensure travel distances of over 3000 mm and the runners ensure speeds of up to 1,5 m/s.

Four arranged in pairse Rollers maintain the pre-tension over the entire length of the rail. The movable roller holders and the paired use of concentric and eccentric roller pins ensure smooth running even with complicated rail paths. The rotor body is adjusted by simply adjusting the roller pins - with no play or with pre-tension on the rail.

Soft movements during rapid load changes

Together with the tilting axis, the Curviline arch guide forms the core by Icaros. It allows the athlete to move freely in two axes. The principle behind a successful flight performance: While the forearms and shins rest on the steel frame, it is important to maintain balance through skillful balancing.

The bow with the radial bearings at stomach height allows the entire frame to tilt to the right or left by shifting the center of gravity. Thanks to the precise motion transfer, only a few centimeters determine the position in the flight simulator during training.

If the hips and upper body are too far forward, the athlete will tip their head towards the ground. A backwards hip does the opposite. Bending to the right tilts the device in the same direction. Accordingly, a roll to the left with a shift of weight to the left is possible.

Igus linear guide as a quiet, maintenance-free alternative

John Scholl: "Any inclination angle detected by the integrated controller in a sensor, which is equipped with buttons, while the specially developed for gaming environment is displayed on a virtual reality headset. In this way the user interacts with his whole body with the virtual world. "

The idea of a thesis

It all started in... year 2011 with an idea for Scholl's diploma thesis. Michael Schmidt, his boss at the time and now a colleague, promised him after successfully completing his diploma thesis: “If you start at Hyve as a designer, we will bring the project together to market maturity,” remembers Scholl.

The idea is one Start-up with a model ready for series production. Since 2015, the two Munich natives have been working as managing directors of Icaros GmbH with their team of programmers and designers to realize flights through virtual worlds.

“Icaros is intended to revolutionize classic fitness training. “We have set ourselves the goal of merging workout and gaming in a new way to inspire and motivate players and athletes alike,” says Michael Schmidt. The demands on the mechanical components are correspondingly high. “With Curviline from Rollon we have linear guides in use that meet our requirements for precision, service life and robustness. They ensure the right balance in the player's position - and that without requiring great effort to change position," as the two managing directors emphasize in unison. And their success proves them right: almost all of the first 50 copies have already been sold.