GB2463768A - Adjustable bicycle simulation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle simulation apparatus 10 has a simulation bicycle 12 including a saddle or seat 24, a steering member or handle bars 28 and a front control unit 14 disposed forwardly of the saddle 24. The steering member is separate from the frame of the simulation bicycle, and is connected to the control unit. The control unit has a monitor 82 for displaying moving scenery depending upon the operation of the simulation bicycle. The monitor and steering member can be jointly moved up and down with the upwards movement also proceeding forwards (arrow B). The saddle may also be adjustable up and down with the upwards movement also proceeding backwards (arrow A). This makes it possible for the apparatus to be sized for users of differing heights.

Description

Two-Wheeled Vehicle Simulation Apparatus This invention relates to a two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus used for * 5 applications of traffic safety education, a game, physical fitness training arid so * forth.

In order to allow experiencing of a simulation of operation of an aeroplane, an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle or the like, a simulation apparatus corresponding to the vehicle has been proposed, and some of such simulation apparatus have been placed into practical use.

In a two-wheeled simulation apparatus (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-292 172, or its equivalent GB 2412607), if a running scene which varies in response to the simulation running speed is displayed forwardly, then the realism is further enhanced favourably. Incidentally, if a display apparatus is provided not only at a front position but also at left and right sideward positions so that scenes on the left and right are displayed, then a further realistic running situation is implemented.

If it is intended to cause a user to check the left and right with certainty as safety education or training, particularly when the user checks the left and right at a crossing at which the visibility is not good, it is recommended for the user to move his or her upper body forwardly to carry out safety confirmation with certainty.

From such a background as just described, the inventor of the invention of the present application proposed, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-330584 and its equivalent GB 2426747, a two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus wherein left and right scenes can be displayed with a simple and easy configuration of a small size. The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus disclosed in this * document is configured such that images of the display sections provided to the left and right sides cannot be visually observed from a first eye point at a seated position but can be visually observed from a second eye point positioned forwardly of the first eye point. The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus is suitable particularly for safety education or training for causing a driver to check the safety on the left and right.

Incidentally, popular bicycles are distinguished into those for children's use and those for adult use, and basically an adult does not operate a children's bicycle and a child does not operate an adult's bicycle. Further, the range of adjustment for adjusting the height of the saddle and the height of the steering member in conformity with the difference of the physical constitution is small. In popular bicycles, the seat pillar and the top tube are directed obliquely rearwardly as viewed in side elevation, and the saddle and the steering member are adjustable in height toward an obliquely rearward direction such that they are moved back and forth with respect to the seat pillar and the top tube. However, even if a children's bicycle and an adult's bicycle have such a configuration as just described, there is no inconvenience with regard to the posture of the operator.

However, as regards a two-wheeled vehicle simulator, not only a child but also an adult may operate the simulator. If the two-wheeled vehicle simulator has a basic configuration set for use for a child, then when an adult tries to operate, the saddle height and the steering member height are increased significantly. However, since both of the saddle and the steering member move in substantially the same direction, the distance between them does not vary very much. In other words, the length of a portion of the two-wheeled vehicle simulator which corresponds to the top tube of a bicycle cannot be adjusted but remains short, and when an adult operates, since also the body of the adult is long in comparison with that of the child, the adult would feel considerably confined. Thus, it is difficult for the adult to operate the steering member or there is the possibility that the knee of the adult may interfere with the steering member.

Further, while a monitor is provided on the front face of a simulation bicycle, since both of the saddle and the steering member move obliquely rearwardly, the eye point is displaced away from the monitor and it becomes hard to observe an image.

Further, where sideward display sections are provided on the left and right of a monitor as in the case of the two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus, when the steering member moves rearwardly, the steering member makes an obstacle and it becomes difficult for an operator to move his or her head to the predetermined eye point position for confirming an image of any of the sideward display sections.

The present invention has been made taking such subjects as described above into consideration, and it is an object of at least the preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus which makes it possible for both a short driver and a tall driver to operate the two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus in an appropriate posture and achieves good visibility of a main display section.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus comprising a simulation vehicle including a seat for seating a driver, a steering member for being operated by the driver, and a front unit disposed forwardly of said seat is characterized in that said steering member is a separate member from a frame of said simulation vehicle, and said front unit has a main display section for displaying a scene based on an operation of said simulation, and a slide section along which said main display section may be for slideably moved and fixed in a generally upward and downward direction displaced forwardly toward the upper part, said slide section allowing said main display section and said steering member to slideably move in an integrated relationship with each other.

By configuring the steering member and the main display section such that they can be slideably moved integrally with each other in this manner, both a short driver and a tall driver can operate the two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus in an appropriate posture. Further, a suitable distance is maintained between the steering member and the main display section, and the visibility of the main display section is good.

The seat may be configured such that the height thereof can be adjusted in a generally upward and downward direction displaced rearwardly toward the upper part with respect to said frame. By configuring the seat such that the height thereof can be adjusted in this direction, the distance to the steering member can be varied appropriately, and both a short driver and a tall driver can operate the two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus in a more appropriate posture.

The front unit may have a frame member provided in such a manner as to surround said main display section, a back face plate connected to at least two opposing side portions of said frame member, fixed to a back face portion of said main display section and connected to said slide section, a display section stand resting at a lower end thereof on the ground and serving as a base for sliding operation of said slide section, and a damper mechanism provided between part of said display section stand and said back face plate.

* By providing such a damper mechanism as described above, it is possible to apply a preload to the main display section and the steering member. Further, when the main display section and the steering member are unfixed to allow them to be moved, they can be prevented from dropping fast, and the operator can carry out lifting and lowering operations with little force.

* The frame and the front unit may be configured so as to be positioned and removably fixed by a fixing section. By fixing the frame of the simulation bicycle and the front unit in this manner, the stability of both of them is enhanced andthe main display section is disposed at an appropriate position with reference to the operator.

The main display section may have, on left and right portions thereof, a pair of left and right sideward display sections, such that the images displayed thereon cannot be visually observed from a first eye point set based on a seated location of the driver but can be visually observed from a second eye point forwardly of the first * eye point. Also where such sideward display sections are provided, the relative positions of the steering member and the sideward display sections do not vary, and when an image on any of the sideward display sections is confirmed in a predetermined mode, the operator can move his or her head to the second eye point.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. I is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bicycle simulation apparatus set up to be operated by an adult; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a control unit; FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the present embodiment of the bicycle simulation apparatus; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the present embodiment of the bicycle simulation apparatus; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the control unit; FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a frame body; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the bicycle simulation apparatus set up to be operated by a child; and FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of a left and right safety checking process.

In the following, as an embodiment of a two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus according to the present invention, a bicycle simulation apparatus 10 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a simulation bicycle (simulation two-wheeled vehicle) 12, and a control unit (front unit) 14. In the following description, the direction of an arrow mark Xl is referred to as forward direction and the direction of another arrow mark X2 is referred to as rearward direction with reference to FIG. I. In the following, with regard to mechanisms where one is provided for each of the left and right on the bicycle simulation apparatus 10, "L" is added to a reference character for the left side one of the mechanisms and "R" is added to a reference character for the right side one of the mechanisms, in order to distinguish the mechanisms. Further, the eye point of an operator who operates the simulation bicycle 12 normally is referred to as eye point EP 1 (first eye point) and an eye point in a state wherein the eye point of the rider is suitably moved forwardly is referred to as eye point EP2 (second eye point). This EP2 should be set to a position to which, for example, the operator gets off the simulation bicycle 12 and moves the head forwardly further than a steering member 28 or moves the head to a position near to the steering member 28.

First, the simulation bicycle 12 is described. The simulation bicycle 12 has a body 1 2a and a steering member body I 2b.

The body 12a has a frame 22, a saddle (seat) 24 connected to the frame 22 * through a seat pillar 23, and a rear wheel 32 supported for rotation at a rear end * portion of the frame 22.

The steering member body 1 2b is a separate member from the body 1 2a (except for a brake wire (not shown) which connects the two bodies); and is provided not on the frame 22 but on the control unit 14. The steering member body 1 2b has a steering member 28 which can be pivoted around a head tube 22a, and a short front fork 30 for fixedly supporting the head tube 22a.

The saddle 24 can be adjusted in height in an extending direction of the seat pillar 23 by loosening a clamp 23a provided at an upper portion of the seat pillar 23.

The extending direction of the seat pillar 23, that is, the direction of an arrow mark A, is a direction toward the oblique rear upper part, and particularly is a direction which is an upward and downward direction with reference to the frame 22 and is displaced obliquely rearwardly upwards.

The rear wheel 32 serves also as a stand, Meanwhile, the simulation bicycle 12 has a pair of cranks 38 connected to the left and right of a crankshaft, a pedal 40 * provided at an end of each of the cranks 38, a front sprocket 42 provided on the cranks 38, a rear sprocket 46 driven to rotate from the front sprocket 42 through a chain 44, a flywheel 48 made of iron and driven to rotate from the rear sprocket 46 * through a one-way clutch, a drum brake 50 for braking the flywheel 48, and a speed pickup 54 for detecting the speed of rotation of the flywheel 48.

Meanwhile, the steering member body I 2b includes a brake lever 52 provided on the steering member 28, a steering angle sensor 58 for detecting the steering angle of the steering member 28, and a rotation sensor 60 for detecting the amount of operation of the brake lever 52 through the brake wire. The brake wire is branched intermediately, and one of the branches is connected to the rotation sensor and the other of the branches is connected to the drum brake 50. When the brake lever 52 is operated, the amount of the operation is detected by the rotation sensor while the flywheel 48 is braked by the drum brake 50. A controller 62 is provided for the front fork 30.

Further, foot placement of an operator can be detected by a mat switch 18. A rear stand 64 which partially contacts on the right side with the ground is connected to a hub shaft of the rear wheel 32, and a pole 66 is erected uprightly at an end portion of the rear stand 64 through a resilient portion 66a. A lamp 66b for indicating a situation of the rear is provided at an upper end of the pole 66. The mat switch 18 is provided on the floor on the left side (to which the driver gets off) and * is configured such that it is integrated for right foot detection and left foot detection.

A front end of a portion 22b of the frame 22 which corresponds to the down tube is bent downwardly, and a mounting portion 69 is provided at an end of the portion 22b. The body 1 2a is configured such that it can be positioned, fixed to and removed from the control unit 14 by the mounting portion 69.

By fixing the frame 22 of the simulation bicycle 12 and the control unit 14 in this manner, the stability of both of them is enhanced. A monitor 82 is disposed at an appropriate position with reference to an operator.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 14 is configured using a display section stand 70 having four legs 70a, 70b, 70c and 70d of pipes as a base. The legs 70a to 70d have a stable shape wherein they open out downwardly, and the legs 70a and 70b on the left side and the legs 70c and 70d on the right side are individually connected to each other through lower ground contacting pipes 71 L and 71 R to form one pipe and are formed by a bending work. Consequently, the configuration is simplified and the ground contacting portion becomes wider.

The legs 70a and 70c on the rear are inclined a little toward the front, and the legs 70b and 70d on the front are inclined a little toward the rear and end portions thereof are fixed to portions a little lower than the upper end of the legs 70a and 70b by welding. Transverse bars 70e and 70f for connecting the leg 70a and the leg 70b are provided at an upper portion and a lower portion of the display section stand 70 to assure the strength.

Further, the display section stand 70 includes a pair of rails 72a and 72b partially connected to the transverse bar 70e and having end portions of the legs 70a and 70b as upper ends connected thereto such that they extend vertically as viewed from the front. The rails 72a and 72b have individually two and hence a total of four sliders (slide portions) 73 provided thereon. The rails 72a and 72b have the same gradient as the legs 70a and 70b on the rear, that is, a gradient in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B. The direction of the arrow mark B is a direction toward the oblique rear upper part, and more particularly is a direction which is an upward and downward direction with reference to the display section stand 70 and is displaced forwardly toward the upper part.

On the upper two ones of the four sliders 73, a release lever 75 for permitting or preventing sliding movement of a display section unit 80 is provided. If the release lever 75 is tilted in a predetermined direction, then the display section unit is fixed, but if the release lever 75 is tilted in a different direction (such as up), then the display section unit 80 is placed into a slideably movable state.

The control unit 14 has a display section stand 70, a wide lower rack 74 provided near the floor and fixed at four corners thereof to the display section stand 70, a rather smaller upper rack 76 provided a little above a middle height and fixed at four corners thereof to the display section stand 70, and a fixing*bar 77 for interconnecting the transverse bar 70f and the frame 22. The fixing bar 77 is connected to the frame 22 by the fixing section 69.

By fixing the simulation bicycle 12 and the display section stand 70 by the fixing section 69 in this manner, the stability of both of them is enhanced, and positioning of the monitor 82 with reference to the simulation bicycle 12 is carried out. The fixing section 69 fixes the body l2a and the display section stand 70 by means of a bolt and can be disassembled simply and conveniently for transportation or the like.

The control unit 14 further has a main control section 78 placed on the lower rack 74, a display section unit 80 supported above the upper rack 76 by the rear legs * 70a and 70c, and a gas damper (damper mechanism) 81. The main control section * 78 carries out general control of the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 and is formed, for example, from a personal computer. The gas damper 81 may include a hydraulic damper or a predetermined own weight compensation mechanism in place of the damper mechanism.

The display section unit 80 is fixed a little obliquely along the rear legs 70a and 70c and is substantially plane-perpendicular to the eye point EP 1, and is good in visibility from the position of the operator. The display section unit 80 has a monitor (main display section) 82, a pair of left and right box-shaped mirror boxes (sideward display sections) 84L and 84R, a frame body 86 for surrounding and supporting the monitor 82, and the steering member body I 2b. The frame body 86 has a rear face plate 88 for fixing a rear face portion of the monitor 82, and upper box fixing portions (sideward display section fixing means) 90L and 90R (refer to FIGS. 5 and 6) and lower box fixing portions 92L and 92R (refer to FIGS. 5 and 6) for fixing the mirror boxes 84L and 84R. The monitor 82 is in this embodiment a liquid crystal monitor for universal use (but it may alternatively be aplasma monitor, an EL monitor or the like) and has a speaker 94 provided thereon. A detailed configuration of the display section unit 80 is hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 62 has an input interface section 100, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, and a first communication section 104. The first communication section 104 is connected to a second communication section 106 of the main control section 78 and carries out real time communication with the main control section 78. The input interface section 100 of the controller 62 is connected to the speed pickup 54, steering angle sensor 58, rotation sensor 60 and mat switch 18 and carries out inputting of signals. The CPU 102 processes or converts signals of the electric components described above and transmits resulting signals to the main control section 78 through the first communication section 104.

The main control section 78 has a situation setting section 110 for setting a situation of simulation operation, a mathematical operation processing section 112 for carrying out a mathematical operation process in response to the running situation, a display control section 114 for carrying out display control of the monitor 82, a sound driver 116 for carrying out sound outputting of the speaker 94, a warning section 118 for carrying out predetermined warning to the operator, and a storage section 120 which allows reading and writing of data.

The mathematical operation processing section 112 determines, for example, a simulation running speed V based on a signal of the speed pickup 54 acquired through the controller 62 and determines a simulation running direction based on a signal obtained from the steering angle sensor 58, and sets a current position on the simulation. In the storage section 120, an image database 120a in which an image of a scene corresponding to the current position determined by the mathematical operation processing section 112 or polygon data for configuring the image and so forth are recorded is provided.

The warning section 118 decides, for example, based on signals obtained from the rotation sensor 60 and the mat switch 18 whether or not an operation of the operator is appropriate, and carries out predetermined warning when the operation is inappropriate. This warning is displayed as characters on the screen of the monitor 82 or given as sound from the speaker 94. -10

The display control section 114 has a central region display control section 122, a left region display control section 124, a right region display control section 126 and an image synthesis section 128. The central region display control section 122 has a function of displaying an image in a central display region (forward scene section) 200 (refer to FIG. 4) of the screen of the monitor 82 (refer to FIG. 1) except for narrow regions at the opposite left and right ends, and sets and displays a forward scene at the current position determined by the mathematical operation processing section 112 based on the image database 1 20a. The left region display control section 124 has a function of displaying an image in a left end display region (sideward scene section) 202L (refer to FIG. 4) set at a substantially middle height portion in the narrow region at the left end of the screen and sets and displays a scene in the leftward direction at the current position based on the image database 120a. Further, the right region display control section 126 has a function of displaying an image in a right end display region 202R set at the right end symmetrical to the left end display region 202L, and sets and displays a scene in the rightward direction at the current position based on the image database 1 20a. It is to be noted that, although the central display region 200, left end display region 202L * and right end display region 202R are conceptually separate images from each other, since they are displayed on the same screen, they are combined into one image by the image synthesis section 128 and displayed as the one image. The images to be * displayed on the central display region 200, left end display region 202L and right end display region 202R are set based on a simulation situation set by the situation setting section 110 in addition to the current position, and images in which, for example, a lighting situation of a signal, a running situation of a different vehicle, a walking situation of a pedestrian and so forth are reflected as images of the signal, vehicle, pedestrian and so forth in terms of the colour and behaviour.

Now, the mirror box 84L of the display section unit 80 is described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mirror box 84L has an enlarging lens (optical means) 214 for enlarging an image displayed in the left end display region 202L, and a mirror (optical means) 210 for reflecting the image oltained through the enlarging lens 214 toward the eye point EP2. The enlarging lens 214 is a Fresnel lens made of an acrylic resin or the like, and has prisms of a substantially triangular -Il -cross sectional shape of a fine pitch and is formed in the form of a thin quadrangular flat plate.

The mirror box 84L has an increased width portion 220 having a shape of a box, made of a resin, and covering the left end display region 202L and holding the enlarging lens 214, a mirror wall 222 for holding the mirror 210 obliquely on this side of the mirror wall 222, a shielding wall 224 for shielding substantially all from the eye point EP 1 to the mirror 210 on this side of the mirror wall 222, and an inner wall 226 bent in a direction toward the mirror 210 from an inner side end portion of the increased width portion 220. A window 228 for exposing the mirror 210 from the eye point EP2 therethrough is provided between the shielding wall 224 and the inner wall 226. Fixing portions 230 and 232 for being fixed to the box fixing portions 90L and 92L are provided at an upper portion and a lower portion of the mirror box 84L and can be fixed by bolts.

The mirror box 84L is covered over an overall face thereof with a resin wall except the window 228 and is free from an influence of disturbance light, and visibility of an image of the mirror 210 from the eye point EP2 is good. The outer face of the shielding wall 224 can be visually observed from the eye point EP 1, and at this portion, a message (for example, characters "please look") or a symbol (for example, an arrow mark) for urging the operator to look into the window 228) should be indicated. The mirror box 84R has a leftwardly and rightwardly symmetrical structure with the mirror box 84L, and therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted. For the mirror box 84R, a mirror box same as the mirror box 84L may be used in a vertically inverted state.

Now, the frame body 86 of the display section unit 80 is described.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the frame body 86 has a pair of upper and lower horizontal bars 250a and 250b and a pair of left and right vertical bars 252a and 252b which surround the monitor 82, and the rear face plate 88 which connects the horizontal bar 250a and the horizontal bar 250b to each other. Although the rear face plate 88 is stable if it is configured such that it connects at least the horizontal bar 250a and the horizontal bar 250b to each other, it may be connected further to the vertical bars 252a and 252b. In the display section unit 80 of FIG. 5, the steering member body I 2b is omitted so as to avoid complicating the drawing.

-12 -The rear face plate 88 has a substantially trapezoidal shape as viewed in side elevation so that it may stably hold the trapezoidal-shaped rear face of the monitor 82, and has a plurality of stand attaching holes 256 for attaching the rear face plate 88 to the transverse bars 70f and 70g and a plurality of monitor attaching holes 258 for connecting the rear face plate 88 to the rear face of the monitor 82. The rear face of the monitor 82 has a plurality of threaded holes 260 provided therein which correspond to the monitor attaching holes 258.

The monitor attaching holes 258 and the plural threaded holes 260 comply with the VESA standards (Video Electronics Standard Application) (for example, VESA 75, VESA 100 or the like). In FIGS.. 2 and 5, screws in the monitor attaching * holes 258 are shown only at four corner portions in order to avoid complicating the * drawing.

In the proximity of the left and right ends of the horizontal bars 250a and 250b, the box fixing portions 90L, 90R, 92L and 92R for fixing the mirror boxes 84L and 84R are provided as described above. The box fixing portions 90L, 90R, 92L and 92R are individually formed from two bolt holes.

The frame body 86 has a framework structure which can hold the monitor 82 universally and with certainty by the monitor attaching holes 258 based on the VESA standards of the rear face plate 88 and surrounds the monitor 82, and can hold the monitor 82 stably. Basic components of the frame body 86 are the horizontal bars 250a and 250b, vertical bars 252a and 252b and rear face plate 88, which are simple, convenient and low in price.

A bracket 262 for relaying and connecting the rear face plate 88 and the steering member body 1 2b to each other is provided at a lower portion of the rear face plate 88, and the rear face plate 88 and a lower end portion of the front fork 30 of the steering member body I 2b are connected firmly to each other by the bracket * 262. By the bracket 262, the steering member body 12b and the steering member 28 are disposed at positions spaced suitably from each other on the front face of the monitor 82.

The gas damper 81 described hereinabove is provided between a lower portion of the rear face plate 88 and the transverse bar 70f, and the display section unit 80 is supported by the gas damper 81 such that the weight thereof is supported when it makes a sliding movement along the slider 73. In short, by providing the gas damper 81, it is possible to apply a preload to the monitor 82, mirror boxes 84L and 84R and steering member body 1 2b, and even if the total mass of the display section unit 80 is heavy to some degree, when the fixation is cancelled, they can be prevented from dropping fast. Thus, the operator can carry out a lifting or lowering operation with light force.

Not only a short child but also a tall adult have an opportunity to operate the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 configured in this manner.

As shown in FIG. 1, when an adult 280a is to operate, the saddle 24 is lifted and also the display section unit 80 is lifted. At this time, since the saddle 24 is at a position moved in the extending direction of the seat pillar 23, that is, in a direction toward the oblique rear upper part along the direction of the arrow mark A, it is positioned suitably on the rear side. Further, the display section unit 80 is at a position moved in the extending direction of the slider 73, that is, in a direction toward the oblique front upper part along the direction of the arrow mark B, and therefore, it is positioned suitably on the front side. Therefore, the saddle 24 and the steering member 28 are suitably spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, even when an adult operates, the posture thereof has a margin and the operation of the steering member 28 is easy, and the adult's knee does not interfere with the steering member 28.

Further, even if the saddle 24 moves rearwardly, since the steering member * 28 moves forwardly, also the eye point EP 1 is inevitably maintained at an appropriate position, and the distance to the monitor 82 is not excessively increased * and an image of the monitor 82 can be observed readily.

Furthermore, since the steering member 28 is at a position suitably moved forwardly, when the operator moves his or head to the forward eye point EP2 in order to observe images on the mirror boxes 84L and 84R provided on the left and right of the monitor 82, the steering member 28 does not interfere with the belly or * the like and make an obstacle.

When a child 280b is to operate the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 7, the saddle 24 is lowered and also the display section unit 80 is lowered. At this time, since the saddle 24 is at a position moved in the extending direction of the seat pillar 23, that is, in a direction displaced forwardly toward the lower part along the direction of the arrow mark A, it is suitably positioned on the front side. Meanwhile, since the display section unit 80 is at a position moved in the extending direction of the slider 73, that is, moved in a direction displaced rearwardly toward the lower part along the direction of the arrow mark B, it is suitably positioned on the rear side. Consequently, the saddle 24 and the steering member 28 are positioned suitably near to each other. Accordingly, even when a child operates the bicycle simulation apparatus 10, the position of the steering member 28 is not positioned excessively far away. By lowering the saddle 24, even with a child, a good foot placing property is obtained.

Further, since the relative positions of the monitor 82 and the steering member 28 do not vary, the monitor 82 is not positioned excessively near, and an image of the monitor 82 can be observed readily. Besides, the eye point EP2 is not excessively far, and images on the mirror boxes 84L and 84R can be observed appropriately.

As described above, in the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, since the steering member 28 and the monitor 82 are configured such that they can be slideably moved integrally with each other toward the oblique forward upper part (in the direction of the arrow mark B), both a short operator and a tall operator can operate the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 in an appropriate posture. In addition, as an appropriate distance between the steering member 28 and the monitor 82 is maintained, good visibility is implemented for the operator to see the monitor 82. However, naturally a structure which allows fine adjustment of the relative positions of the steering member 28 and the monitor 82 in accordance with a small difference in the figure among or to the liking of individuals may be used.

Further, since the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 is configured such that the height of the saddle 24 can be adjusted obliquely rearwardly toward the upper part (in the direction of the arrow mark A) by an operation of the clamp 23a, the distance to the steering member 28 varies appropriately. Consequently, both of a short operator and a tall operator can operate the bicycle simulation apparatus 10 in a more appropriate posture. Further, the steering member 28 which can slideably move in the direction of the arrow mark B and the saddle 24 whose height can be adjusted in the direction of the arrow mark A move along a V-shape as viewed in side elevation, and the positions of them can be adjusted appropriately and in a co-ordinated fashion.

Now, a left and right checking process carried out on the simulation is described with reference to FIG. 8. This left and right checking process is a process carried out in a foot ground contacting mode, a walking mode or the like, and isa process for allowing learning of an operation of checking the safety of the left and right. For example, the situation is set such that, in a simulation situation wherein the operator is at a crossing at which the operator goes from a narrow alley, along the opposite sides of which walls stand, to a wide road, the operator is caused to check the left and right. In the case of such situation setting as just described, images in the leftward and rightward directions as viewed from rather forwardly than an estimated current position (for example, from forwardly by a distance corresponding to the distance between EP 1 and EP2) may be displayed on the mirror box 84L and the mirror box 84R. In other words, not images of the "walls" right on the opposite sides of the operator but images illustrating vehicle running situations in the leftward and rightward directions of the wide street as viewed rather forwardly may be displayed.

First at step Si, outputting of "Please check the left and right before running is started." is carried out. Where this guidance is to be carried out by a senior person, it may be omitted so that the senior person may carry out the checking of the left and right of their own accord.

Here, the operator is requested to carry out checking of the left and right through the mirror box 84L and the mirror box 84R. Display images on the mirror box 84L and the mirror box 84R cannot be visually observed from the eye point EP 1, but can be visually observed when the operator gets off from the saddle 24 and moves their upper body rather forwardly from the steering member 28 to move their head to the position of the eye point EP2. In other words, such a behaviour as to move the upper body from an actual narrow alley to check the left and right of a wide street is requested, and the operator can learn a safety checking operation of the left and right with certainty.

At step S2, images as a result of addition of an image of a vehicle 300 (refer to FIG. 1) to left and right background scenes are displayed on the mirror box 84L and the mirror box 84R. The vehicle 300 to be displayed is set as a running vehicle, and for example, an image of the front face of the vehicle 300 which gradually becomes large may be displayed on the mirror box 84R, and then an image of a side face of the vehicle 300 which passes from the right to the left may be displayed in the central display region 200. Further, an image of the rear face of the vehicle 300 which gradually becomes small may be displayed on the mirror box 84L. Such display of the vehicle 300 continues within a period of time counted by a timer process at step S9, and one or more vehicles 300 are displayed.

At step S3, it is confirmed whether or not the mat switch 18 is on, and if the mat switch 18 is off, then the processing advances to step S4, but if the mat switch 18 is on, then the processing advances to step S5. At step S4, such a notice as "Please stop and check the left and right." is outputted, and then the processing advances to step S5.

At step S5, it is confirmed whether or not the simulation running speed V based on the signal of the speed pickup 54 is 0. If V> 0, then the processing advances to step S6, but if V = 0, then the processing advances to step S7. At step S6, then such a notice as "A vehicle is still passing. Please don't go ahead." is outputted, whereafter the processing advances to step S7. In this instance, if simulation sound of a klaxon is outputted, then this is more effective as the notice.

At step S7, the operation amount of the brake lever 52 based on the signal of the rotation sensor 60 is checked, and if a brake operation is not carried out, then the processing advances to step S8, but if a brake operation is carried out, then the processing advances to step S9. At step S8, a notice "Please brake to stop with certainty." is outputted, whereafter the processing advances step S9.

At step S9, the elapsed time in which the vehicle 300 is displayed is checked from the timer, and if the prescribed time does not elapse, then the processing returns to step S2 to continue the display of the vehicle 300, but if the prescribed time elapses, then the processing advances to step SlO. The prescribed time may be varied suitably using a random number.

-17 -At step SlO, the vehicle 300 is deleted from the image to be displayed on the mirror box 84L and the mirror box 84R. Thereupon, since it is unnatural that the vehicle 300 being displayed is deleted suddenly, the display should be continued until the vehicle 300 being displayed at this point of time runs far away, whereafter display of a new vehicle 300 is stopped.

At step Si 1, it is confirmed whether or not the simulation running speed V based on the signal of the speed pickup 54 is 0. If V = 0, then the processing enters a standby state, but if V!= 0, then the processing advances to step S12.

At step S12, the elapsed time from the point of time at which the vehicle 300 is deleted from the image by the process at step Si 0 is recognized through the predetermined timer, and outputting based on the timer is carried out. In particular, if this elapsed time is within prescribed time, then "You have correctly done safety confirmation of the left and right before running." is outputted, but if the elapsed time is longer than the prescribed time, then "Do you look at the left or right? No vehicle is coming already." is outputted to urge the operator to start running. After the end of this step S12, the left and right safety checking process illustrated in FIG. 8 is ended, and a different mode such as a running mode is entered. In such a left * and right safety checking process as described above, automatic scoring may be carried out in accordance with a predetermined rule based on the notice processes at steps S4, S6 and S8 and so forth. It is to be noted that, depending upon a design condition, some or all of the steps S3 to S9 may be omitted.

The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus according to the present invention can naturally be applied to a simulation apparatus for a motorcycle and applications of a game and physical fitness training.

The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above but can naturally assume various configurations without departing from the subject matter of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (6)

1. -18 -Claims 1. A two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus comprising a simulation vehicle including a seat for seating a driver, a steering member for being operated by the driver, and a front unit disposed forwardly of said seat, characterized in that said steering member is a separate member from a frame of said simulation vehicle, and said front unit has a main display section for displaying a scene based on an operation of said simulation, and a slide section along which said main display section may be for slideably moved and fixed in a generally upward and downward direction displaced forwardly toward the upper part, said slide section allowing said main display section and said steering member to slideably move in an integrated relationship with each other.
2. 2. The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus according to claim I, characterized in that said seat is configured such that the height thereof can be adjusted in a generally upward and downward direction displaced rearwardly toward the upper part with respect to said frame.

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3. 3. The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus according to claim I or 2, characterized in that said front unit has a frame member provided in such a manner as to surround said main display section, a back face plate connected to at least two opposing side portions of said frame member, fixed to a back face portion of said main display section and connected to said slide section, a display section stand resting at a lower end thereof on the ground and serving as a base for sliding operation of said slide section, and -19-a damper mechanism provided between part of said display section stand and said back face plate.
4. 4. The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said frame arid said front unit are configured so as to be positioned and removably fixed to each other by a fixing section.
5. 5.. The two-wheeled vehicle simulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said main display section has, on left and right portions thereof, a pair of left and right sideward display sections, such that the images displayed thereon cannot be visually observed from a first eye point set based on a seated location of the driver but can be visually observed from a second eye point forwardly of the first eye point.
6. 6. A two-wheeled vehicle stmulation apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.