LV15357B - Launch device for bobsleigh and skeleton sledges - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the electromechanical industry, more particularly to electromechanical devices which provide a sled with one or more athletes in a controlled launch bobsleigh or skeleton race.

[002] In bobsleigh sports events involving persons with reduced mobility, the start procedure is carried out in accordance with the rules approved by the International Federation of Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (Z5SF) [1]. The rules are to start with a mechanical trigger but, if not, a gravity start procedure, where the sled starts to run off the slope due to the force of attraction.

[003] In both of these sports procedures, the starting conditions are assumed to be the same for all competitors. The problem is that for the purpose of objectively comparing the mileage of the various participants, the start run must be as uniform as possible for all participants, as the final result is recorded with an accuracy of one hundredth of a second. The recommended starting device, and in particular the starting position, cannot completely solve this problem due to the influence of changing factors such as the starting force of the starter, the weight of the sleigh with the participants, the friction of the slides against the ice, wind, temperature.

[004] There is also the possibility of sledding sledges on the ice surface of the track if the sleds are not moved while waiting for the start. In practice, the problem is solved by the athletes themselves, with slow forward and backward sledging.

[005] There is known a technical solution [2] for a forced sledging machine in a bobsleigh competition in the discipline "Para-bobsleigh Seated", in which sledge start-up is effected by the energy of compressed springs, which rotate the cylinders with their ropes. The ropes move the sliders with a transverse push rod, making the sledge run from the starting position.

The disadvantages of the existing solution are: it is not possible to provide a stable and uniform impulse impulse because of the large number of friction nodes and external factors such as temperature, humidity, icing which cause energy loss at the friction nodes. It is not possible to adjust the force of the pushing force to ensure the same acceleration for sleds of different masses. There is no forward and backward movement of the sleigh which makes it impossible to complete the anti-freeze procedure during the run-up.

[007] A proprietary solution (prototype) is known [3] - a roller coaster device in a trolley start position. The patent is registered as a technical solution for the mechanical transport of passenger trolleys from the manifold to the start area of the amusement park.

The disadvantages of the device are that the passenger trolley is moved to the starting point - the beginning of the downhill section, but the run-in issue is not resolved by providing the specified speed and acceleration parameters. In addition, the placement of the device on the starting areas of bobsleigh tracks is problematic due to its bulky dimensions.

The present invention provides a solution to this problem in the form of a complex device that provides sledge run with predicted acceleration and velocity indices, regardless of the mass and external conditions of the sled: ambient and ice temperatures, ice surface roughness, slider condition, and wind.

The invention is illustrated by the following drawings:

[010] FIG. Principal scheme of the proposed equipment: sleigh (1), power converter (2), traction rod (3), control and command unit (4), coupling mechanism (5), motion sensor (6), start area (7), start-up starting position (A), end-of-acceleration end (B), release line (C) for the final run-up and coupling (5).

[011] FIG. Run-up diagram (example): Starting point of start of thrust (A), speed at end of acceleration (B), release point of coupling (C).

The bobsleigh and skeleton sled launcher (Fig. 1) comprises a power converter in mechanical motion (2) which converts power into mechanical motion, a push rod (3) moving linearly, a control and control unit (4), a coupling mechanism (4). 5) and moved sensory (6). Alternatively, a hydraulic, pneumatic or combined power mechanism may be used instead of the mechanical converter (2) of the electric converter.

[013] The bobsleigh and skeleton sledge launcher operates as follows: During the preparation of the sledge, the sledge (1) is moved to the starting area (7) and placed in front of the push rod (3) close to the coupling (5). The body of the sleigh is firmly connected to the push rod (3) by means of a coupling mechanism (5). The coupling mechanism (5) is designed as a mechanical coupling and coupling device which provides a rigid coupling with a special clamp in the sleeve body (1). The coupling mechanism (5) is designed such that it opens and detaches the push rod (3) from the sleigh (1) following the signal from the control unit (4). After receiving a signal to start the control unit (4), the control unit (4) performs the movement of the push rod (3) by means of sledges (1) according to the parameters set therein by means of an electric converter (2). In the area from the starting position (A) to the line (B), movement is set at the set acceleration. The area between lines (B) and (C) is moved at a constant set speed. In the control line (C), the coupling mechanism (5) opens and disengages the push rod link (3) with the sledge (1) following the signal from the control unit (4), allowing further free movement of the sledge outside the starting area (7).

The movement of the tiller (3) is controlled by the control unit (4) via the motion sensor (6).

An example of a graph of the movement velocity of the tiller (3) and sleigh (1) is shown in FIG. (А), (В), (C) are the time values at which the push rod (3) and sleigh (1) cross the respective control lines.

[015] In addition to the launch run function, the bobsleigh and skeleton sled launcher allows you to prevent the sliders from freezing on the ice while waiting for the start. This function works as follows: Following the signal from the control unit (4), the power converter in slow motion (1) moves forward and backward within the starting area (7) following a movement programmed in the control unit (4). graphics.

[016] In the coupling mechanism (5), in order to reduce the time taken to release the sleighs (1), increase reliability and safety, and simplify the design, the coupling mechanism (5) can be manufactured in an electromagnet providing a rigid coupling with a special steel plate built into the sleigh (1). ) at the back. The solenoid is switched on and off with the control unit (4) using electric wires.

Sources of information:

[017] [1] IBSF International Para-bobsleigh Rules 2016 http://www.ibsf.org/images/documents/downloads/Rules/2016 2017 / 2016_Intemational_Para -bobsleigh Rules.pdf [2] Spinal Cordinjury Alberta. Lonnie Bissonnette Brings Home Gold: Para Bobsled World Cup Event. YouTube. Posted December 9, 2015

Available: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOOua61 Qpiw> recording snippet 40-55 sec.

[3] Patent US2004083921 (Al) - 20040506 Roller coaster launch

Claims (5)

A bobsleigh and skeleton sled launcher comprising an electric converter for mechanical movement (2), a traction rod (3), a control and command unit (4), a coupling mechanism (5) and a motion sensor (6), characterized in that: the control unit (4) regulates the operating mode of the electric converter (2) and the actuator (5) is actuated at the end of the push rod (3) to provide a rigid coupling of the tiller (3) with sleighs (3). 1). Bobsleigh and skeleton sleigh launcher according to claim 1, characterized in that the power converter in mechanical movement is a pneumatic device. Bobsleigh and skeleton sleigh launcher according to claim 1, characterized in that the power converter in the mechanical movement (2) is a hydraulic device. Bobsleigh and skeleton sleigh launcher according to Claim 1, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (5) is an electromagnet actuated from the control unit which provides a hard coupling of the push rod (3) to the steel plate fixed to the the body of the sleigh (1). A method for operating a bobsleigh and skeleton sled launcher according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, comprising the following steps: a first step, a power converter in a mechanical motion during a wait for a signal from the control and control unit (4). (2) performs forward and backward movement of the sleigh (1) within the starting area (7), then, in a second step, the electric converter in mechanical movement (2) performs the movement of the sleigh (1) from the control and control unit ( 4).