Drive system, swing hammock system, and method for simulating an elastic tensioning element

A spring cradle system comprising:

• an oscillating element for receiving at least one person;
• and
• a drive system arranged in a fixed position, the drive system comprising:
• a tension element having a distal end fastened to the oscillating element, wherein the tension element is a band-like element,
• a drive unit configured to increase and decrease a free length of the tension element to change a position of the oscillating element relative to the drive system, wherein the drive unit comprises a rotatable shaft configured to rotate causing the tension element to roll up over the rotatable shaft,
• a control unit configured to control the drive unit such that a pretensioning force acts on the tension element regardless of the position of the oscillating element relative to the drive system, wherein the pretensioning force is a tensile force for maintaining the tension of the tension element, and wherein the pretensioning force is less than 15% of a maximum power of the drive unit, and
• an electronic shutdown device,
• wherein at least one of the control unit or the drive unit are configured to periodically send operating signals to the electronic shutdown device during operation,
• wherein the electronic shutdown device is configured to automatically cut off the power supply to the drive unit when it is not receiving the operating signals, and
• wherein the electronic shutdown device is configured to automatically cut off the power supply to the drive unit when an emergency shutdown is initiated by the control unit in response to receiving sensor readings that indicate a malfunction of the drive system.

A method for simulating an elastic clamping element, comprising the following steps:

• providing a drive system comprising a tension element having a distal end adapted to be fixed to an oscillating element, a drive unit adapted to increase and/or decrease a free length of the tension element to change a position of the oscillating element relative to the drive system, a control unit configured to control the drive unit such that a pretensioning force acts on the tension element regardless of the position of the oscillating element relative to the drive system, and an electronic shutdown device,
• wherein the drive unit comprises a rotatable shaft over which the tension element is configured to be rolled up by rotation of the rotatable shaft,
• wherein at least one of the control unit and the drive unit are configured to periodically send operating signals to the electronic shutdown device during operation,
• wherein the electronic shutdown device is configured to automatically cut off a power supply to the drive unit when it is not periodically receiving the operating signals, and
• wherein the electronic shutdown device is configured to automatically cut off the power supply to the drive unit when an emergency shutdown is initiated by the control unit in response to receiving sensor readings indicating a malfunction of the drive system,
• operating the drive unit so that a pretension is applied to the tension element to simulate an elastic clamping element,
• determining that the distal end of the tension element does not move toward the drive unit, and
• finishing the simulation of the elastic clamping element,
• wherein the pretensioning force is a tensile force for maintaining the tension of the tension element,
• wherein the pretensioning force is less than 15% of a maximum power of the drive unit, and
• wherein the tension element is a band-like element.