Movable subassembly for receiving and transporting at least one passenger and associated attraction equipment

Abstract

To provide a cabin stabilization system which enables a cabin floor to return to a stable position close to horizontal failure, in passenger transport in a cabin according to a trajectory for which the angle in relation to the horizontal is not constant.SOLUTION: A mobile subassembly 30 comprises a support 20, a cabin 22, and a cabin 22 guide 32 in relation to the support 20 in rotation around a horizontal reference axis 200. The mobile subassembly is equipped with a stabilization system 36 comprising: a gear ring attached to the support 20; a sprocket; a motor comprising a motor shaft which turns around an axis which is fixed in relation to the cabin 22; a kinematic transmission chain between the motor shaft and the sprocket; and a coupling mechanism capable of guiding the sprocket between an engagement position with the gear ring, in which the first sprocket is able to mesh with the first gear ring, and an uncoupled position, in which the first sprocket is away and disengaged from the first gear ring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to the transportation of passengers in a cabin following a trajectory that does not have a constant angle with respect to the horizontal. [Background technology]

[0002] Document DE476892 describes an attraction installation comprising a fixed structure, a mobile structure rotating relative to the fixed structure about an axis of rotation, and spherical cabins supported by the mobile structure for rotation relative to the mobile structure about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation. The guidance of the rotation of each cabin relative to the mobile structure is provided via large-diameter bearings that surround the cabin and have an internal track attached to the mobile structure and an external track connected to the cabin. The cabins are ballasted so that the floor remains approximately horizontal when the mobile structure is rotating at low speed around the axis of rotation. Low vibrations of the cabins around the axis are approved and are also desirable for passenger amusement.

[0003] To stabilise the Ferris wheel cabins and control their rotation around their axes, document JP 2010 / 005316 proposes mounting a gear ring with teeth directed radially inwards on a fixed inner ring of a bearing and installing an electric motor system under the floor of each cabin to drive two gear sprockets with the gear ring, each driven by a stabilising motor.

[0004] The system needs to be analysed in terms of possible failure modes, especially affecting the stabilising motor or its power supply. In such cases, the cabin floor may tilt significantly before the wheel allows for intervention. This in turn causes unwanted discomfort to passengers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy the shortcomings of the state of the art and to propose a cabin stabilization system that allows the cabin floor to return to a stable position close to a horizontal obstacle in the event of a malfunction of the stabilization motor or its power supply.

[0006] To that end, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a movable subassembly for receiving and transporting at least one passenger is proposed, comprising a support, a cabin and a cabin guide rotating relative to the support around a reference axis common to the support and the cabin, the reference axis being horizontal when the movable subassembly is in an operating state, the movable subassembly being equipped with a stabilization system comprising at least one gear ring connected to the support and centered on the reference axis, at least one sprocket coupled to the cabin so as to mesh with the gear ring, a friction brake for stopping the rotation of the cabin around the reference axis relative to the support, and an electric drive resource capable of driving the sprocket, characterized in that the electric drive resource comprises a reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine and a switching circuit capable of coupling, in a first switching state, the windings of the synchronous machine to a power supply device for motor use of the synchronous machine and, in a second switching state, the windings of the synchronous machine to a dissipative ohmic circuit for dissipative use of the synchronous machine. The presence of a combination of a permanent magnet synchronous machine capable of operating with friction and electromagnetic brakes allows the implementation of cabin correction maneuvers following the failure of the motor or its electrical supply. Firstly, the sprocket can be braked to stop the rotation of the moving subassembly. Secondly, after the synchronous machine is switched to dissipation mode, the friction brake can be at least partially and preferably completely released, and the electromagnetic brake constituted by the synchronous machine is used to gradually brake the moving subassembly while it returns to a stable position through gravity. If applicable, the friction brake can be reapplied once the stable position is restored.

[0007] Preferably, the switching circuit is monostable and switches or remains in the second switching state if the power supply is disconnected upstream of the switching circuit. According to an embodiment, the switching circuit comprises a monostable electromechanical contact or a static contact. The monostable switching of the power circuit ensures that in case of a power supply failure, the stabilization system switches to a degraded "gravity" operating mode in which the synchronous machine acts as an electromagnetic brake.

[0008] According to various embodiments, a friction brake may present a friction element connected to a motor shaft, a sprocket or a gear ring of a synchronous machine.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the friction brakes are commanded yes or no. If applicable, the friction brakes are simple parking brakes.

[0010] Preferably, the friction brake is commanded by a monostable command and defaults to a closed position in the absence of a command. The monostable command of the friction brake preferably includes an autonomous power source embedded in the cabin, which allows the friction brake to be released even in the absence of a synchronous machine power source.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the sprocket is connected to the cabin by a coupling mechanism capable of guiding the sprocket between an engagement position with the gear ring, in which the sprocket can be engaged with the gear ring by rotating about a drive axis parallel to the reference axis, and a non-engaged position, in which the sprocket is disengaged away from the gear ring. The coupling mechanism guides the sprocket between the engagement and non-engaged positions, preferably according to a planar trajectory, which may be a lateral movement, a rotation, or a combination of a lateral movement and a rotation. According to one embodiment, the coupling mechanism is capable of guiding a pivoting movement of the sprocket around a pivot axis parallel to the reference axis, the pivot axis being preferably mounted relative to the cabin. In particular, it may be specified that the coupling mechanism comprises a guide lever with a bearing that guides the sprocket pivoting about the pivot axis and rotating about the drive axis.

[0012] Preferably, the coupling mechanism comprises an actuator for moving the sprocket from the engaged position to the uncoupled position. The actuator may be of any type, in particular electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic, and preferably telescopic. Preferably, the actuator is powered by an autonomous power source embedded in the cabin, allowing the sprocket to be operated even if the power supply of the synchronous machine is disconnected.

[0013] The coupling mechanism is preferably bistable, meaning that it has two stable balance positions corresponding to the engaged and unengaged positions of the first sprocket and requires action by an actuator to move from either stable balance position to an intermediate unstable balance position.

[0014] In practice, reversible permanent magnet synchronous machines comprise a casing that is either fixed relative to the cabin or fixed relative to the sprocket drive shaft. A motor casing fixed relative to the cabin minimizes the energy required to move the mobile equipment consisting of the first sprocket. However, specific precautions are required to limit the transmission of vibrations or noise to the cabin. Also required is a transmission mechanism that is able to absorb positioning variations between the motor casing and the first sprocket, for example a universal joint transmission shaft connecting the first motor to the first sprocket. A motor casing fixed relative to the drive shaft of the first sprocket makes it possible not to use a transmission mechanism that absorbs positioning variations, but imposes a higher power from the actuator, if applicable. Motor here also means a geared motor, if applicable.

[0015] According to one particularly advantageous embodiment, the stabilization system comprises at least one additional sprocket, which is coupled to the cabin by a gear ring or by an additional gear ring in meshing with a corresponding gear ring, mounted on a support and centered on a reference axis, an additional electric drive resource capable of driving the additional sprocket with an additional electric drive resource comprising an additional reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine, and at least one additional branch comprising an additional switching circuit capable of coupling a winding of the additional synchronous machine to the power supply for the motor use of the additional synchronous machine in a first additional switching state and coupling a winding of the additional synchronous machine to the dissipative ohmic circuit for the dissipative use of the additional synchronous machine in a second additional switching state. The stabilization system thus comprises redundancy allowing the implementation of different degraded operating modes as well as fault diagnosis procedures.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the additional sprocket is connected to the cabin by an additional coupling mechanism such that the additional sprocket moves between an engagement position with the corresponding gear ring, where the additional sprocket can be engaged with the corresponding gear ring by rotating about a drive axis parallel to the reference axis, and a non-engaged position where the additional sprocket disengages from the corresponding gear ring. The presence of two mechanisms in particular allows for control operations in degraded mode, which will be further explained in this document. The additional coupling mechanism guides the additional sprocket between the engagement position and the non-engaged position according to a trajectory, which may be a lateral movement, a rotation, or a combination of a lateral movement and a rotation. The trajectory preferably follows a planar movement. According to one embodiment, the additional coupling mechanism supports the additional sprocket, so that the additional sprocket can pivot between the engagement position and the non-engaged position of the additional coupling mechanism about a second pivot axis parallel to the reference axis, the second pivot axis preferably being mounted relative to the cabin. In particular, it may be specified that the additional coupling mechanism comprises a guide lever having a bearing which guides an additional sprocket pivoting about a second pivot axis and rotating about a second drive axis.

[0017] Preferably, the additional coupling mechanism comprises an additional actuator for moving the additional sprocket from the engaged position to the uncoupled position, the additional actuator being preferably supported on the cabin. The additional actuator may be of any type, in particular electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic, and preferably telescopic.

[0018] According to one particularly advantageous embodiment, the additional coupling mechanism comprises a bistable transmission between the additional actuator and the additional sprocket, preferably comprising a transmission lever pivoting about an axis fixed relative to the cabin and a transmission link rod between the additional coupling mechanism transmission and the additional sprocket or the additional actuator.

[0019] In practice, the additional synchronous machine comprises a casing that is either fixed relative to the cabin or fixed relative to the additional sprocket drive shaft. A motor casing fixed relative to the cabin minimizes the energy required to move the mobile equipment consisting of the first sprocket. However, specific precautions are required to limit the transmission of vibrations or noise to the cabin. Also required is a transmission mechanism that is able to absorb positioning variations between the motor casing and the first sprocket, for example a homokinetic joint or a double universal joint transmission shaft connecting the first motor to the first sprocket. A motor casing fixed relative to the drive shaft of the first sprocket makes it possible not to use a transmission mechanism that absorbs positioning variations, but imposes a higher power from the first actuator, if applicable. Motor here also means a geared motor, if applicable.

[0020] Preferably, the additional coupling mechanism is independent of the coupling mechanism, meaning that each of the two coupling mechanisms of the stabilizing system can move the corresponding sprocket independently of the position of the other sprocket.

[0021] If applicable, the stabilization system may also include a clutch system for coupling each sprocket to and decoupling it from its associated motor.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the cabin presents an interior receiving volume for at least one passenger. Preferably, the gear ring encloses the interior receiving volume seen in a cross section perpendicular to the reference axis.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the guide comprises at least one bearing mounted on the support, a second bearing ring mounted on the cabin and a bearing body runnable on tracks formed on the first and second bearing rings. Preferably, the second bearing ring surrounds the interior receiving volume of the cabin.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first sprocket is supported by the cabin so as to mesh with a zone of the gear ring located above the first sprocket.

[0025] By positioning the first sprocket below the zone of the teeth it meshes with, gravity falls favorably for foreign objects that may become attached to the teeth before reaching the zone of meshing with the first sprocket.

[0026] To effect this drop effect, the first sprocket preferably meshes with a zone of the gear ring that is a sufficient distance from a horizontal plane that includes the reference axis. Preferably, the first drive shaft is positioned relative to an axial reference plane and a first side of the reference axial plane within an angular sector of 60° or less about the reference axis, the reference axial plane being vertical and including the axis of rotation when the movable subassembly is in an operating state.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the first drive shaft is positioned in a reference axis plane. This layout is particularly advantageous if the direction of rotation of the cabin relative to the support is not always the same.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the first drive shaft is positioned on a first side of the reference axis plane at a distance from the reference axis plane. This layout is particularly advantageous when the direction of rotation of the cabin relative to the support is always the same or when there is a preferred direction of rotation. More specifically, a choice can be made to position the first sprocket on a side of the reference axis plane that is located downstream of the reference axis plane in the direction of rotation of the gear ring, or in other words on a side of the reference axis plane, away from the zone of teeth with which the first sprocket meshes. It is thus ensured that the zone of teeth with which the first sprocket meshes at a given moment has previously crossed the reference axis plane with its teeth pointing downwards, which is the most advantageous position to ensure the fall of any foreign object that may have been placed on the teeth.

[0029] If applicable, a gear ring cleaning mechanism is located within the angular section of the gear ring that is between the zone of teeth with which the first sprocket meshes and a plane that contains the reference axis and that is horizontal when the movable subassembly is in an operational state. This type of mechanism is preferably located in front of the sprocket in the direction of rotation of the gear ring and is positioned below the tooth zone with which it interacts in order to take advantage of gravity's tendency to flush out foreign objects.

[0030] According to one embodiment, a meshing obstacle detection mechanism is located in an angular section of the gear ring, located between the zone of teeth in which the first sprocket meshes and a plane containing the reference axis and which is horizontal when the mobile subassembly is in operation. If gravity or potential cleaning mechanisms prove insufficient to dislodge foreign objects trapped in the grease on the tooth faces of the ring, the obstacle detection mechanism makes it possible to stop the mobile subassembly before the foreign object constituting the obstacle actually comes into contact with the sprocket.

[0031] Preferentially, the cabin has a centre of gravity that lies in the plane of the cabin's reference axis, perpendicular to the floor and including the reference axis, which is desirable in order to limit the energy required by the stabilisation system to keep the floor level.

[0032] Preferentially, the centre of gravity of the cabin is located below the reference axis, which may provide a degraded operating mode in which the stabilisation system is disengaged or the first sprocket is allowed to rotate freely, while remaining approximately level thanks to gravity.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the gear ring presents teeth rotated towards a reference axis. Preferentially, the first sprocket is positioned above the ceiling in the cabin. A compartment is then placed below the floor, in which the stabilizing ballast can be placed. According to one particularly advantageous embodiment, a cabin cooling, heating or air conditioning unit is positioned below the floor in the cabin. Due to its weight, this type of unit constitutes the stabilizing ballast.

[0034] According to an alternative embodiment, the gear ring presents radially outwardly directed teeth and the first sprocket is positioned below the cabin floor.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the invention, this is a vehicle connected to a movable subassembly for receiving and transporting at least one passenger, the movable subassembly comprising a support, a cabin, a cabin guide rotating relative to the support around a reference axis common to the support and the cabin, the reference axis being horizontal when the movable subassembly is in an operating state, the movable subassembly being mounted on the support and equipped with a stabilization system comprising at least one gear ring centered on the reference axis, at least one sprocket coupled to the cabin so as to mesh with the gear ring, and a first electric driving resource capable of driving the sprocket, the first electric driving resource comprising a motor with a motor shaft rotating around an axis fixed relative to the cabin and a kinematic transmission chain between the motor shaft and the sprocket, characterized in that the stabilization system comprises a coupling mechanism capable of guiding the sprocket between an engagement position with the first gear ring rotating around a drive axis parallel to the reference axis and an uncoupling position in which the first sprocket is disengaged away from the first gear ring, the kinetic transmission chain comprising a transmission joint. This type of coupling mechanism offers the advantage that it can be easily and visually actuated from the engaged to the uncoupled position and from the uncoupled to the engaged position in the context of the start-up operation of the installation in which the cabin is integrated, which in particular allows a routine verification procedure for the operation of the mechanism. In the event of a fault, the mechanism makes it possible to decouple the motor in order to carry out certain troubleshooting operations and, if applicable, to return the cabin to an approximately horizontal position by gravity.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the transmission joint comprises a double universal joint or a homokinetic joint. Preferably, it is ensured that in the engaged position, the transmission joint inlet element driven by the motor shaft can rotate about an inlet axis and the transmission joint outlet element attached to the sprocket can rotate about a drive axis, the inlet axis being parallel to and spaced from the drive shaft.

[0037] The coupling mechanism guides the sprocket between the engaged and uncoupled positions, preferably according to a planar trajectory, which may be a lateral movement, a rotation, or a combination of a lateral movement and a rotation. According to one embodiment, the coupling mechanism can guide a pivoting movement of the sprocket around a pivot axis parallel to the reference axis, preferably mounted relative to the cabin, between the engaged and uncoupled positions. In particular, it may be specified that the coupling mechanism comprises a guide lever with a bearing that guides the sprocket pivoting about the pivot axis and rotating about the drive shaft.

[0038] Naturally, the coupling mechanism is intended to be motorized to allow automatic operation according to commands given from the cabin or remotely from the installation control center.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the coupling mechanism comprises an actuator for moving the sprocket from the engaged position to the uncoupled position, preferably the actuator being powered by an autonomous power source embedded in the cabin to address the risk of power transmission failure from equipment fixed to the cabin.

[0040] The actuator is preferably irreversible in that in the absence of power supply it remains blocked in position.

[0041] The coupling mechanism is preferably bistable, which prevents the actuator from being required during transient position change sequences.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the stabilization system comprises at least one additional sprocket, centered on a reference axis, coupled to the cabin by a gear ring or by an additional gear ring, mounted on a support, and an additional motorized drive resource capable of driving the additional sprocket, the additional motor comprising an additional motor shaft rotating about an axis fixed relative to the cabin, and an additional kinematic transmission chain between the additional motor shaft motor and the additional sprocket, as well as an additional coupling mechanism capable of driving the additional sprocket between meshing positions with the corresponding gear ring, the additional sprocket being able to mesh with the corresponding gear ring by rotating about an additional drive axis parallel to the reference axis and a non-coupling position, in which the additional sprocket is disengaged away from the corresponding gear ring, the additional kinematic transmission chain including a transmission joint. Redundancy is then obtained for the stabilization function. The presence of two mechanisms in particular allows for consideration of control processing in degraded modes, which will be further described in this document.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the corresponding gear ring comprises an additional gear ring centered on the reference axis and located axially spaced from the gear ring.

[0044] For optimal use of space, the motor and the additional motor are preferably arranged from head to tail with the motor shaft and the additional motor shaft being parallel but not coaxial.

[0045] The additional coupling mechanism preferably exhibits similar characteristics as the coupling mechanism.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the additional coupling mechanism guides the additional sprocket between the engaged and uncoupled positions, preferably according to a planar trajectory, preferably parallel to the planar trajectory of the sprocket, which may be a lateral movement, a rotation, or a combination of a lateral movement and a rotation. According to one embodiment, the additional coupling mechanism supports the additional sprocket, so that the additional sprocket can pivot between the engaged and uncoupled positions of the additional coupling mechanism about a second pivot axis parallel to the reference axis, the second pivot axis preferably being mounted relative to the cabin. In particular, it may be specified that the additional coupling mechanism comprises a guide lever with a bearing that guides the additional sprocket pivoting about the second pivot axis and rotating about the second drive shaft.

[0047] Preferably, the additional coupling mechanism comprises an additional actuator for moving the additional sprocket from the engaged position to the uncoupled position, the additional actuator being preferably supported on the cabin. The additional actuator may be of any type, in particular electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic, and preferably telescopic.

[0048] According to one particularly advantageous embodiment, the additional coupling mechanism comprises a bistable transmission between the additional actuator and the additional sprocket, preferably comprising a transmission lever pivoting about an axis fixed relative to the cabin and a transmission link rod between the additional coupling mechanism transmission and the additional sprocket or the additional actuator.

[0049] In practice, the additional synchronous machine comprises a casing that is either fixed relative to the cabin or fixed relative to the additional sprocket drive shaft. A motor casing fixed relative to the cabin minimizes the energy required to move the mobile equipment consisting of the first sprocket. However, specific precautions are required to limit the transmission of vibrations or noise to the cabin. Also required is a transmission mechanism that is able to absorb positioning variations between the motor casing and the first sprocket, for example a homokinetic joint or a double universal joint transmission shaft connecting the first motor to the first sprocket. A motor casing fixed relative to the drive shaft of the first sprocket makes it possible not to use a transmission mechanism that absorbs positioning variations, but imposes a higher power from the first actuator, if applicable. Motor here also means a geared motor, if applicable.

[0050] Preferably, the additional coupling mechanism is independent of the coupling mechanism, meaning that each of the two coupling mechanisms of the stabilizing system can move the corresponding sprocket independently of the position of the other sprocket.

[0051] According to another aspect of the invention, this is coupled to an attraction installation comprising at least one fixed structure with at least one movable subassembly as described above, the movable subassembly support being driven and guided relative to the fixed structure so as to follow a trajectory forming a loop in a vertical plane of a fixed reference, and rotating 360° by moving one turn of the loop trajectory about a fixed axis of rotation perpendicular to the vertical plane and parallel to the reference axis.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the axis of rotation is fixed and is preferably defined by one or more guide bearings mounted on a fixed structure. The rotation preferably exceeds one turn, especially in the case of "Ferris wheel" type attractions. The support can then be a carriage intended to be attached to the rim of the Ferris wheel, or part of the rim itself that rotates around the axis of rotation.

[0053] According to another aspect of the invention, this is linked to a control process in a degraded mode for an attraction installation as described above, characterized in that in response to detection of a malfunction while the sprocket is engaged with the gear ring, a degraded operating procedure is initiated, which comprises the following subsequent operations: - suspension of the support against a fixed structure; - Application of friction brakes; - connecting a winding of a synchronous machine to said ohmic circuit using a winding switching circuit, and then at least partial, preferably total, release of the friction brakes while the sprockets mesh with the gear ring and the cabin is brought into a stable position relative to the support by gravity.

[0054] This first degraded operating procedure makes it possible to restore a stable gravity position, which, depending of course on the position of the passengers in the cabin, can be close to horizontal during the period of insufficient power supply of the first synchronous machine.

[0055] In the case of a cabin with a stabilization system with two motorized sprockets, this first degraded operating procedure is implemented if two synchronous machines lose power supply. The procedure can be implemented only on the first sprocket and the first synchronous machine or on both sprockets and two synchronous machines simultaneously.

[0056] Preferably, the degraded operating procedure additionally includes a reactivation of the support drive relative to the fixed structure after the cabin has stopped in a stable position. The support drive is preferably reactivated at a slow speed and with constant monitoring of the cabin's inclination. This allows the cabin to return to the landing platform and maintain a horizontal level relative to gravity.

[0057] According to a first variant, the degraded operating procedure also includes, after the cabin has stopped in a stable position and before the support drive is restarted relative to the fixed structure, the movement of the sprocket from the engagement position with the gear ring to a non-engaged position in which the sprocket is disengaged from the gear ring. The cabin adapts its position by gravity, rubbing its guide bearings against the support that ensures the stability of the cabin.

[0058] According to a second variant, the sprocket continues to mesh with the gear ring and the windings of the synchronous machine remain connected to the ohmic circuit after the support drive has restarted relative to the fixed structure. The synchronous machine continues to operate with electromagnetic braking.

[0059] According to one embodiment, it is also provided that if a malfunction condition of the degraded operating procedure is detected, the degraded operating procedure is interrupted and a second degraded operating procedure is started, the second degraded operating procedure comprising the following operations: - suspension of the support against a fixed structure; - moving the sprocket from a disengaged position to an engaged position with the gear ring; - application of the brakes, then - Restarting the support drive relative to the fixed structure.

[0060] A second, degraded operating procedure may be initiated, inter alia, if the position reached by the cabin before the support restart is outside the tolerance range or if, after the support restart, the cabin inclination is not maintained within the tolerance range.

[0061] The second degraded operating procedure allows any movement of the cabin relative to the support to be stopped. It is then possible to bring the support to the landing platform at a very slow speed. In that the cabin remains attached to the support during this movement, no tilt compensation is made and it can be quite uncomfortable for passengers. This is why this second degraded operating procedure is reserved for exceptional situations where the first degraded operating procedure has failed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0062] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention emerge from reading the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a partial view of an attraction installation according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of a movable subassembly of the installation of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the moveable subassembly of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a detail of FIG. 3, particularly illustrating the implantation of a stabilization system for the moveable subassembly of FIG. 2; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the stabilization system of FIG. 4 in an uncoupled position. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the moveable subassembly of FIG. [Figure 7] 1 shows an electrical diagram of a switching circuit of a synchronous machine of a stabilization system; [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is an isometric detail view of the integration of the stabilization system of FIG. 4 in an engaged position within the moveable subassembly of FIG. 2 . [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an isometric detail view of the integration of the stabilization system of FIG. 4 in the movable subassembly of FIG. 2 in an uncoupled position.

[0063] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are marked by the same reference symbols in all figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] 1 illustrates the installation of a Ferris wheel 10 with a horizontal axis of rotation 100, which comprises a fixed structure 12 attached to the ground via one or more feet 14 forming guide bearings 16 for a wheel rim 18 which rotates around an axis of rotation 100 fixed relative to the ground 14. The rim is provided at its edge on a support 20 of a cabin 22. The axis of rotation 100 preferably constitutes an N axis of rotational symmetry for the rim, N being the number of supports 20 and cabins 22.

[0065] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each cabin 22 presents an internal volume V, marked between the cabin floor 26 and the cabin ceiling 28, for receiving and transporting one or more passengers. The support 20 and the associated cabin 22 then form a mobile subassembly 30 for receiving and transporting one or more passengers. This mobile subassembly 30 additionally comprises a guide 32 for the cabin 22 in relation to the support 20 which rotates around a reference axis 200 common to the support 20 and the cabin 22, horizontal and parallel to the axis of rotation 100.

[0066] 32 is composed here of two coaxial bearings 34 spaced apart from each other, so that the centre of gravity of the cabin 22 lies between two transverse vertical planes, each perpendicular to a reference axis 200 cutting one of the two bearings 34. Preferably, the two bearings 34 are located in mirror image positions relative to a central transverse vertical plane P of the cabin 22, perpendicular to the reference axis 200 and containing the unloaded centre of gravity G of the cabin 22. Each bearing 34 comprises at least a first bearing ring, e.g. an inner ring 34.1, mounted on a ring 20.1 on the support 20, at least a second bearing ring, e.g. an outer ring 34.2, mounted on a ring 22.2 on the cabin 22, and one or more rows of bearing bodies 34.3 runnable on tracks formed on the first bearing ring 34.1 and the second bearing ring 34.2. Each of the two bearings 34 surrounds an internal volume V such that a part of each bearing 34 is below the floor 26 and another one is above the ceiling 28.

[0067] The guide 32 allows the cabin floor 26 to be kept level by authorising rotation of the support 20 around the rotation axis 100 of the Ferris wheel 10 in direction S1 together with rotation of the cabin 22 relative to the support 20 around a reference axis 200 in the opposite direction S2.

[0068] To synchronize these rotations, the mobile subassembly 30 is equipped with a stabilization system 36, which is reproduced here and is attached to the ring 20.1 of the support 20 and comprises two gear rings 38 centered on a reference axis 200, each preferably positioned near one of the bearings 34. Each of the gear rings 38 is associated with a sprocket 40 attached to the cabin 22 so as to mesh with the associated gear ring 38. Each sprocket 42 is associated with a drive resource 42.

[0069] Each sprocket 40, driven by an electric drive resource 42, meshes with an associated gear ring 38 attached to the support 20 to keep the floor 26 of the cabin 22 level.

[0070] In this embodiment, each gear ring 38 has teeth 38.1 facing radially inwards and an associated sprocket 40 is positioned above the ceiling 28 of the interior space V of the cabin 22 and is held in a tooth zone 38.1 located above the interior ceiling 28 of the cabin 22 and the associated sprocket 40. This positioning prevents any foreign object falling on some of the teeth 38.1 located below the horizontal plane H containing the reference axis 200 from moving onto the sprocket 40 and blocking it.

[0071] The axis of rotation 400 of the sprocket 40 is preferably located near the reference axis plane Q, either directly in the reference axis plane Q or to one side of the reference axis plane Q, as shown in FIG. 5, within an angular sector A of not more than ±60° with respect to the reference axis plane about the reference axis.

[0072] Each sprocket 40 is connected to the cabin 22 by a coupling mechanism 46, shown in detail in Figure 8, which guides the sprocket 40 between an engaged position with the associated gear ring 38 and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, as shown in Figure 7, the sprocket 40 meshes with the associated gear ring 38, while in the disengaged position, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, the sprocket 40 is at a distance from the associated gear ring 38.

[0073] Each coupling mechanism 46 comprises a guide lever 48 which pivots about a pivot axis 50 fixed relative to the cabin structure 22. The guide lever 48 carries a guide bearing 52 for an associated sprocket 40 which rotates about a drive shaft 400.

[0074] An actuator 54 coupled to a motor 55 is used to pivot the guide lever 48 via a bistable transmission 56. In this embodiment, the bistable transmission 56 comprises a transmission lever 58 fixed relative to the cabin 22 and pivoting about an axis 60 parallel to the reference axis 200, and a transmission link rod 62 between the transmission lever and the guide lever 48. A first end of the actuator 54 is pivotally mounted on an axis 64 fixed relative to the cabin 22, and an opposite end of the actuator 54 is articulated on the transmission lever 58. The subassembly constituted by the actuator 55 and its motorization system 55 is preferably irreversible in that it does not require a sustained power supply to maintain it in a given position. This may be especially true if the actuator is constituted by an irreversible fixed screw. The motor 55 is preferably an electric motor. Of course, a person skilled in the art can suggest numerous variants for this system that preserve its functionality. When the articulation and pivot axes are parallel to the reference axis 200, the overall motion of each coupling mechanism 46 is a planar motion to guide the pivoting of the axis of rotation 400 of the associated sprocket 40 about the pivot axis 50 between the engaged and disengaged positions.

[0075] The electric drive resource 42 associated to each sprocket 40 comprises a reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine 66 whose motor shaft drives in rotation the associated sprocket 40 via a kinematic chain 68 comprising a reducer 70 and a homokinetic joint 72. In this embodiment, the casing of the synchronous machine 66 is mounted relative to the cabin 22. The homokinetic joint 72 is here produced as standard by two universal joints 72.1, 72.2 connected by a shaft 72.3 to accommodate the movement of the sprocket 40 induced by the coupling mechanism 46.

[0076] The power switching circuit 74 shown in the diagram of Figure 7 is used in a first switching state to couple the stator windings 76 of the synchronous machine 66 via a power command 79 to a power supply 78 outside the cabin 22 for motor use of the first synchronous machine 66. The switching circuit 74 is also used in a second switching state to couple the stator windings 76 of the synchronous machine 66 to a dissipative ohmic circuit 80 for dissipative use of the synchronous machine 66.

[0077] The power switching circuit 74 is preferably monostable in that it requires a power supply from a power supply 78 or a power command 79 to maintain it in a first state and switches itself to a second state in the absence of power. The switching circuit 74 may comprise, among other things, a monostable electromechanical contact or a monostable static contact.

[0078] Finally, an electromechanically or hydraulically commanded friction brake 82 is located either directly on the motor shaft of the synchronous machine 66, or in the kinematic chain between the synchronous machine 66 and the sprocket 40, or on the gear ring 38. The friction brake 82 is preferably monostable, normally closed, and is actuated by a built-in autonomous power source 84, which may also power the motor 55 of the actuator 54, if applicable. Alternatively, the actuator motor 55 may be provided with a separate built-in autonomous power supply 155.

[0079] Preferably, the supply and command circuits for the two parallel branches of the stabilization system 36 are independent.

[0080] To keep the floor 26 of the cabin 22 level, the electric drive resource 42 can be controlled by the angular position of the wheel rim 12 around the axis of rotation 100 of the Ferris wheel 10, for example by comparing a measurement of the angular position of the cabin around the axis of rotation with a measurement of the angular position of the cabin relative to the support. For this purpose, one of the bearings 34 can be instrumented to deliver a measurement of this angular position. Alternatively, the electric drive resource 42 can be controlled by an inclinometer located in the cabin 22. As well as the data from the previous cabin 22 in the direction of movement of the Ferris wheel 10, other physical scales can also be taken into account to command the electric drive resource 42, inter alia the cabin load 22, the position of the center of gravity 22 of the loaded cabin, or the wind speed and direction.

[0081] The required power is lower the closer the center of gravity 22 of the loaded cabin is to the reference axis plane Q of the cabin 22, perpendicular to the floor 26 and containing the reference axis 200. In practice, the center of gravity 22 of the loaded cabin is below the horizontal plane H containing the reference axis 200, between the reference axis 200 and the floor 26 or below the floor 26, which makes it possible to take into account degraded operating modes and, in the event of a malfunction of the electric drive resource 42, to keep the floor 26 more or less horizontal by the effect of gravity. For this purpose, the space located below the floor is occupied by a cooling, heating or air conditioning unit 44 of the cabin 22, whose weight contributes to lowering the center of gravity 22 of the cabin.

[0082] The redundancy of the two branches of the stabilization system 36 increases the availability of the equipment. In the absence of a fault, the two motors work in master-slave mode. When a motor 42 is defective, the associated sprocket 40 is disengaged and the other motor 42 positions the cabin 22 as it is. Similarly, if a foreign object is located between one of the sprockets 40 and the associated tooth 38.1, despite the sprocket 40 being positioned under the tooth 38.1, the coupling mechanism 46 allows the involved sprocket 40 to disengage and the other sprocket 40 positions the cabin 22 as it is.

[0083] A fault diagnosis procedure may also be provided if a malfunction is observed in the stabilization system, leading to a tilt of the cabin floor beyond a predefined threshold. In this case, it proceeds as follows: - firstly, the wheel rim 18 is suspended and the support 20 is suspended relative to the fixed structure 12; - disconnecting the power supplies 78 of the two synchronous machines 66; - when stopped, two friction brakes 82 are applied, - decoupling one of the two sprockets 40 from the associated gear ring 38; powering the synchronous machine 66 connected to the other sprocket 40 in order to re-establish the stabilization command and check whether the cabin 22 returns to level; -When it returns to horizontal, restart the Ferris wheel 10. - otherwise, reconnect the disconnected sprockets 40 and disconnect the connected sprockets 40; supplying power to the synchronous machine 66 connected to the associated sprocket 40 in order to re-establish the stabilization command and check whether the cabin 22 returns to level; -When it returns to horizontal, restart the Ferris wheel 10. - Otherwise, the fault encountered affects two branches of the stabilization system 36 and requires the implementation of a degraded operating procedure.

[0084] To this end, in the event of failure of the power supplies 78 of the two asynchronous machines 66, a "gravity" degraded operating procedure is implemented which includes the following steps: - firstly, the wheel rim 18 is suspended and the support 20 is suspended relative to the fixed structure 12; - when stopped, two friction brakes 82 are applied, - using a switching circuit 74 to connect the windings 76 of each of the two synchronous machines 66 to an associated ohmic circuit 80, and then the first sprocket 40 meshes with the first gear ring 38 and the friction brake 82 is at least partially released while the cabin 22 is brought into a stable position relative to the support 20 by gravity.

[0085] The cabin 22 then starts to move under the influence of gravity so as to align its centre of gravity in a vertical plane containing the reference axis 200. At this stage, the two synchronous machines 66 constitute an electromagnetic brake and generate a braking torque proportional to the rotational speed of the cabin 22.

[0086] This procedure is preferably carried out under the supervision of installation personnel who are audio or video linked to the passengers in the cabin 22 following a malfunction signal, which may be a diagnostic signal from the synchronous machine power supply or a signal related to the horizontal level of the cabin floor 22. If applicable, the passengers may be instructed to redistribute the loads in the cabin 22 so that the stable position of the cabin corresponds to the horizontal position of the floor 26.

[0087] Once the cabin 22 has stopped in a stable position, the Ferris wheel 10 can be restarted at a reduced speed in order to bring the faulty cabin to the loading and landing area. During this stage of wheel travel, different strategies are possible that try to maintain the relative horizontal level of the floor 26 of the cabin 22. The first strategy is to keep the sprocket 40 held by the gear ring 38 and the synchronous machine 66 in electromagnetic brake mode to absorb the movement of the cabin 22 during this stage. The second strategy is to disengage the sprocket 40 before restarting the Ferris wheel 10.

[0088] If the gravity degraded mode of operation is unable to find the required position for the cabin 22, an auxiliary degraded mode of operation is provided, consisting in re-engaging the sprocket 40 with the associated gear ring 38 and then applying the friction brake 82 to connect the cabin 22 to the support 20 before restarting the Ferris wheel 10. This mode of operation is much less comfortable than the previous one, but it does correct the orientation of the floor 26 as the wheel rotates. Communication with the passengers in the cabin is therefore necessary throughout the operation, which must be done at a very slow speed.

[0089] It should be noted that the gravity degraded and auxiliary degraded modes of operation may also be considered with a single synchronous machine 66 and a single sprocket 40.

[0090] It will be understood that the examples shown in the figures and described above are provided for informational purposes only and are not limiting, and it is expressly provided that different embodiments than those illustrated can be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0091] According to a simplified embodiment, the stabilization system 24 may feature only a single gear ring 38 associated with a single sprocket 40. The ring is then preferably positioned near a transverse plane containing the center of gravity of the unloaded cabin 22. In the case where the guide 32 includes two bearings 34, the single gear ring 38 is preferably positioned axially between the two bearings 34.

[0092] The ring of each bearing mounted in the cabin 22 may be an inner ring 34.1 or an outer ring 34.2.

[0093] The axis of rotation of sprocket 40 is preferably parallel to reference axis 200, although a different orientation is possible if the meshing between gear ring 38 and sprocket 40 is an angle gear.

[0094] The support does not necessarily have to be part of the rim 12 of the Ferris wheel 10. It may also be a mobile carriage on a guide track of a fixed structure of the type described in document EP 2075043, forming a circular or non-circular closed loop in a vertical plane. In all configurations considered, the movement of the support 20 in the loop is translated into a rotation of the support 20 relative to a fixed reference which moves one turn per loop turn.

[0095] As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this description, the drawings and the appended claims emphasize that, even in specific terms, they are described only in conjunction with other determined features, both individually and in any combination, and that they can be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed in this specification, if this is not expressly excluded or if technical circumstances render these combinations impossible or meaningless.

Claims

1. A movable subassembly (30) for receiving and transporting at least one passenger, comprising: a support (20); a cabin (22); a cabin (22) guide (32) for rotating with respect to said support (20) about a reference axis (200) common to said support (20) and said cabin (22), said reference axis (200) being horizontal when said movable subassembly (30) is in an operating state; said movable subassembly (30) being equipped with a stabilization system (36) connected to said support (20) and comprising at least one gear ring (38) centered on said reference axis (200); and at least one sprocket (32) connected to said cabin (22) to mesh with said gear ring (38). and an electric driving resource (42) capable of driving the sprocket (40), the electric driving resource (42) comprising a motor with a motor shaft rotating about an axis fixed relative to the cabin (22) and a kinematic transmission chain between the motor shaft and the sprocket (40), characterized in that the stabilization system comprises a coupling mechanism capable of guiding the sprocket between an engaged position with the gear ring (38) rotating about a drive axis parallel to the reference axis and an uncoupled position in which the sprocket (40) is disengaged from the gear ring (38), the kinematic transmission chain comprising a transmission joint.

2. The moveable subassembly (30) of claim 1, characterized in that the transmission joint comprises a double universal joint or a homokinetic joint.

3. 3. The movable subassembly (30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in an engaged position, it is ensured that a transmission joint inlet element driven by the motor shaft can rotate about an inlet axis and a transmission joint outlet element attached to the sprocket can rotate about the drive axis, the inlet axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the drive axis.

4. The movable subassembly (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coupling mechanism guides the sprocket between the engaged and disengaged positions according to a planar trajectory including lateral, rotational or a combination of lateral and rotational movements.

5. 5. The movable subassembly (30) of claim 4, wherein said coupling mechanism is capable of guiding pivotal movement of a sprocket about a pivot axis parallel to said reference axis between said engaged position and said disengaged position.

6. A movable subassembly (30) according to claim 5, characterized in that said pivot axis is fixed with respect to said cabin.

7. 7. The movable subassembly (30) of claim 6, wherein said coupling mechanism comprises a guide lever having a bearing for guiding said sprocket pivoting about said pivot axis and rotating about said drive shaft.

8. The moveable subassembly (30) of any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (46) comprises an actuator (54) for moving the sprocket (40) from the engaged position to the uncoupled position.

9. The movable subassembly (30) according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuator (54) is powered by an autonomous power source (155) embedded in the cabin (22).

10. A movable subassembly (30) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said actuator (54) is irreversible.

11. The moveable subassembly (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (46) is bistable.

12. The stabilization system (36) is connected to the cabin (22) by the gear ring (38) or by a corresponding gear ring constituted by an additional gear ring, and is attached to the support (20), and comprises at least one additional sprocket (40) centered on the reference axis (200), an additional motor (66) with an additional motor shaft rotating about an axis fixed relative to the cabin (22), and an additional kinematic between the additional motor shaft motor and the additional sprocket (40), The movable subassembly (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an additional electric drive resource comprising a transmission chain and an additional coupling mechanism capable of driving the additional sprocket between meshing positions with a corresponding gear ring, the additional sprocket being capable of meshing with the corresponding gear ring (38) by rotating about an additional drive axis parallel to the reference axis and to a non-coupling position, the additional sprocket (40) being disengaged away from the corresponding gear ring (38), the additional kinetic transmission chain comprising a transmission joint.

13. 13. The moveable subassembly of claim 12, wherein said corresponding gear ring comprises an additional gear ring centered about said reference axis (200) and axially spaced from said gear ring.

14. 14. The moveable subassembly of claim 13, wherein said motor and said additional motor are arranged from head to tail with said motor shaft and said additional motor shaft being parallel but not coaxial.

15. An attraction installation (10) comprising at least one fixed structure (12) comprising at least one movable subassembly (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a support (20) of the movable subassembly (30) is driven and guided relative to the fixed structure (12) so as to follow a trajectory forming a loop in a vertical plane of a fixed reference, and rotates 360° by moving through one turn of the trajectory about a fixed axis of rotation (100) perpendicular to the vertical plane and parallel to the reference axis (200).

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