Study and design of motion base for driving simulators

This thesis deals with the study and design of the motion base of a driving simulator. The Motion Base is in charge to simulate the accelerations on the rider of the simulator using an appropriate mechanical structure. In the first section of this work, a description of some simulators around the world is reported. In the second section the general architecture of the motion base is reported with particular emphasys for the control architecture (called in the Literature Washout Filter), the choice of the kinematic structure (Stewart Platform based mechanism) and, finally, the mechanical design of the motion base (joints, hydraulic unit and so on). In the third section, the previous solutions are applyed in a real case, a motorcycle simulator developed in the framework of an European Project. In addition a description of a simplified dynamic model of the motorcycle is described. In the last section of this work, some conclusions and possible enhancements are reported.