Ride system with dynamic ride vehicle configuration

Abstract

A ride system includes a first ride vehicle having a first magnet exposed along a first outer side of the first ride vehicle and a first additional magnet exposed along a first additional outer side of the first ride vehicle. The ride system includes a second ride vehicle having a second magnet exposed along a second outer side of the second ride vehicle and a second additional magnet exposed along a second additional outer side of the second ride vehicle. The ride system includes a control system configured to control manipulation of one or both of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle to: establish coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet in a first configuration, establish coupling between the first magnet and the second additional magnet in a second configuration, establish coupling between the first additional magnet and the second magnet in a third configuration, and establish coupling between the first additional magnet and the second additional magnet in a fourth configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a ride system having a dynamic ride vehicle configuration. Background Art

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various technical aspects that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is considered to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that these statements will be read from this perspective, rather than as an admission of the prior art.

[0003] Theme park or amusement park ride attractions have become increasingly popular. Amusement park rides often include traveling rides, which include ride vehicles that travel along a path, fixed rides that may include a moving base, or a combination thereof. The path of the traveling ride may be located in different surrounding environments (e.g., on top of a mountain, in a tunnel, underwater). Along the path, there may be different types of performance events, such as moving action figures (e.g., animatronics), video screen projections, sound effects, water effects, and the like.

[0004] In some conventional ride attractions, the user experience may be affected by the limited adjustability of the rider's perspective or experience. For example, in some conventional embodiments, the ride experience may be the same or substantially similar during each ride. Also, in some conventional embodiments, the impact of certain ride features (such as show elements located on or around a track) may be limited by the rider's substantially stagnant perspective or orientation. Thus, it is now recognized that improved ride systems and ride vehicles thereof are desirable. Summary of the invention

[0005] Certain embodiments corresponding in scope to the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but rather, these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. In fact, the present disclosure may include a variety of forms that may be similar or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a ride system includes a first ride vehicle having a first magnet exposed along a first outer side of the first ride vehicle and a first additional magnet exposed along a first additional outer side of the first ride vehicle. The ride system includes a second ride vehicle having a second magnet exposed along a second outer side of the second ride vehicle and a second additional magnet exposed along a second additional outer side of the second ride vehicle. The ride system includes a control system configured to control manipulation of one or both of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle to: establish coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet in a first configuration, establish coupling between the first magnet and the second additional magnet in a second configuration, establish coupling between the first additional magnet and the second magnet in a third configuration, and establish coupling between the first additional magnet and the second additional magnet in a fourth configuration.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a ride system includes a substantially smooth ride path surface. The ride system also includes a first automated guided vehicle (AGV), the first automated guided vehicle (AGV) having a first magnet and having a first wheel set configured to enable movement of the first AGV along the substantially smooth ride path surface. The ride system also includes a second AGV, the second AGV having a second magnet and having a second wheel set configured to enable movement of the second AGV along the substantially smooth ride path surface. The ride system also includes a third AGV, the third AGV having a third magnet and having a third wheel set configured to enable movement of the third AGV along the substantially smooth ride path surface. The ride system includes a control system configured to manipulate the first AGV, the second AGV, the third AGV, or any combination thereof to enable coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet in a first configuration, coupling between the first magnet and the third magnet in a second configuration, and coupling between the second magnet and the third magnet in a third configuration.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a ride system includes: a first ride vehicle having a first magnet extending from a first outer side of the first ride vehicle; a second ride vehicle having a second magnet extending from a second outer side of the second ride vehicle; and a control system. The control system is configured to manipulate the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle, or both to enable dynamic coupling and decoupling of certain of the first magnets with certain of the second magnets along a ride path of the ride system such that a ride vehicle configuration changes during the course of the ride path, wherein the ride vehicle configuration includes at least one of a vehicle travel sequence relative to an end of the ride path, a vehicle travel direction, or a vehicle orientation relative to the vehicle travel direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters refer to like parts throughout the drawings, and in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a ride system having a plurality of ride vehicles, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and a control system for controlling the plurality of ride vehicles according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2 According to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1 A front view of an AGV with coupling magnets for use with a ride system;

[0012] Figure 3 According to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 2 Side view of the AGV;

[0013] Figure 4 According to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 2 A top-down view of the AGV;

[0014] Figure 5 According to aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1 A top-down view of possible coupled maneuvers of multiple AGVs for use with a ride system;

[0015] Figure 6 According to aspects of the present disclosure, a six-vehicle cluster is coupled Figure 1 A perspective view of multiple AGVs of the ride system;

[0016] Figure 7 According to aspects of the present disclosure, the AGV is coupled in a two-vehicle cluster. Figure 6 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0017] Figure 8 According to aspects of the present disclosure, each AGV is completely decoupled from other AGVs in the plurality of AGVs. Figure 6 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0018] Fig. 9 According to aspects of the present disclosure, each AGV is independently operated while being decoupled from other AGVs in a plurality of AGVs. Figure 6 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0019] Fig.10 According to aspects of the present disclosure, each AGV is independently operated while being decoupled from other AGVs in a plurality of AGVs. Figure 6 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0020] Fig.11 According to aspects of the present disclosure, Figure 8 Different AGV pairs are coupled in a two-vehicle cluster Figure 6 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0021] Fig.12 According to aspects of the present disclosure, eight vehicles are coupled in a cluster. Figure 1 A perspective view of multiple AGVs of the ride system;

[0022] Fig.13 According to aspects of the present disclosure, the vehicle is decoupled and the performance element coupling is initiated. Fig.12 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0023] Fig.14 is coupled to a show element of a ride system according to aspects of the present disclosure Fig.12 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0024] Fig.15 is a show element coupled to a ride system according to aspects of the present disclosure Fig.12 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0025] Fig.16 is decoupled from the show elements of the ride system according to aspects of the present disclosure Fig.12 Perspective view of multiple AGVs;

[0026] Fig.17 is coupled to form an eight-vehicle cluster according to aspects of the present disclosure Fig.12 A perspective view of multiple AGVs; and

[0027] Fig.18 The operation according to the present disclosure is described Figure 1 A process flow chart of a method of riding a system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The presently disclosed embodiments relate to ride vehicles having dynamic ride vehicle configurations. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to modular ride vehicles that can be controlled to form ride vehicle clusters of various sizes throughout a ride path of a ride system, to change the orientation of ride vehicles relative to a direction of travel throughout the ride path, to change the order in which ride vehicles travel along the ride path relative to a start or end of the ride path, and to interact with various show elements disposed along the ride path, among other reconfigurations.

[0029] Theme park or amusement park ride attractions have become increasingly popular. Amusement park rides often include traveling rides, which include ride vehicles that travel along a path, fixed rides that may include a moving base, or a combination thereof. The path of the traveling ride may be located in different surrounding environments (e.g., on top of a mountain, in a tunnel, underwater). Along the path, there may be different types of performance events, such as moving action figures (e.g., animatronics), video screen projections, sound effects, water effects, and the like.

[0030] In some conventional ride attractions, the user experience may be affected by the limited adjustability of the rider's perspective or experience. For example, in some conventional embodiments, the ride experience may be the same or substantially similar during each ride. Also, in some conventional embodiments, the impact of certain ride features (such as show elements located on or around a track) may be limited by the rider's substantially stagnant perspective or orientation. Thus, it is now recognized that improved ride systems and ride vehicles thereof are desirable.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, a ride system may include a ride vehicle (e.g., an automated guided vehicle (AGV)) that is connectable and detachable to modulate the ride configuration of the ride vehicle. The AGV may be a portable or robotic vehicle that has independent freedom of movement and travels along a substantially smooth ride path, for example, with the help of markers, magnets, sensors, or a combination thereof. The ride vehicles (e.g., AGVs) of the disclosed ride system may be modular (e.g., substantially similar) to improve the interchangeability of the ride vehicles to form different ride configurations. For example, each ride vehicle may be equipped with one or more magnets. In some embodiments, each ride vehicle may include a plurality of magnets disposed around the perimeter or outer surface of the ride vehicle. The magnets may enable ride vehicles (e.g., AGVs) to couple and decouple with each other and / or with show elements to facilitate different ride configurations, such as different units or clusters of ride vehicles, different directions of travel of ride vehicles, different orientations of ride vehicles relative to each other and / or relative to the direction of travel (i.e., roll, pitch, yaw), different travel sequences of ride vehicles (e.g., relative to the end of the ride path or another stationary reference frame along the ride path), different separation distances between ride vehicles, etc. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the magnets may include opposite polarities, either permanently or based on control of the magnets by a controller or control system, such that certain combinations cause magnetic repulsion of adjacent ride vehicles. For example, the control system may reverse the current through the electromagnet to reverse the polarity, or the control system may rotate the bar magnet to change the polarity of the portion of the magnet facing outward from the ride vehicle.

[0032] In addition to modularity of various areas of a single ride vehicle (e.g., magnets disposed in similar locations along two or more similar sides of a single ride vehicle), modularity of the ride vehicle can enable enhanced configuration of the ride system compared to conventional embodiments (e.g., an improved amount of configurations and an improved type or assortment of configurations). By enabling enhanced configurations, the rider experience is improved during the ride, and the rider experience may vary from one ride to the next. These and other features are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a ride system 10 having a number of ride vehicles 13, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and a control system 26 for controlling the ride vehicles 13. The ride vehicles 13 may be configured to accommodate passengers, such as one or two passengers per ride vehicle 13, however, other embodiments may include each ride vehicle 13 accommodating a different number of passengers. The ride vehicles 13 include a first ride vehicle 14, a second ride vehicle 16, a third ride vehicle 18, a fourth ride vehicle 20, a fifth ride vehicle 22, and a sixth ride vehicle 24. However, any number of ride vehicles 13 may be included in the ride system 10, such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more ride vehicles 13.

[0034] The illustrated ride vehicle 13 may travel along a ride path 12, such as a substantially smooth ride path. That is, the ride path 12 may not include a track on which the ride vehicle 13 is disposed. Instead, the ride vehicle 13 may include a wheel set (not shown) that enables movement of the ride vehicle 13 along the substantially smooth ride vehicle path 12. It should be noted that "substantially smooth" may mean that the ride path 12 does not include a track or structural element along which the ride vehicle 13 is guided, however, the substantially smooth ride path 12 may include a curve, such as a hill, along which the ride vehicle 13 travels. Movement of the ride vehicle 13 may be controlled, at least in part, by a control system 26. The control system 26 may include a processor 28, a memory 30, and a communication circuit system 32 that enables communication (e.g., remote or wireless communication) between the control system 26 and the ride vehicle 13. The memory 30 may include instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor 28 , cause the processor 28 to make determinations related to the ride vehicle 13 and cause communications with the ride vehicle 13 via the communication circuitry 32 .

[0035] In some embodiments, each ride vehicle 13 may include a sensor 68, such as a proximity sensor, that is capable of transmitting sensor feedback to the control system 26 so that the processor 28 can make determinations related to the ride vehicle 13 based at least in part on the sensor feedback. For example, the sensor 68 can detect the proximity of the ride vehicle 13 to neighboring ride vehicles 13 and / or to other features of the ride system 10, such as the show elements 40, 42. Moreover, the control system 26 may include a remote controller as shown or a remote control system and / or a separate controller mounted on each of the ride vehicles 13, whereby control features located on the ride vehicle 13 and control features in a remote situation can communicate to facilitate operation of the ride vehicle 13 as described below.

[0036] The ride vehicle 13 may also include magnets 25 disposed or exposed along the exterior of the ride vehicle 13. The magnets 25 may be electromagnets that are magnetized via an electric current that may be controlled, for example, by the control system 26 (or a separate ride vehicle controller), or the magnets 25 may be permanent magnets. In some embodiments where the magnets 25 are electromagnets, the control system 26 may reverse the current in one or more of the magnets 25 to reverse the polarity of the one or more magnets 25, which may cause magnetic repulsion. In other embodiments, the bar magnets may be rotated to change the polarity of the bar magnets facing outward from the ride vehicle 13. Magnetic repulsion can be utilized to magnetically decouple the magnets and / or cause movement of one or more of the ride vehicles 13.

[0037] As shown, each ride vehicle 13 includes a rectangular shape, however, the shape of the ride vehicle 13 may be different in other embodiments. More specifically, each ride vehicle 13 may include a substantially rectangular buffer shape 23 formed by the buffer of the ride vehicle 13, whereby a magnet 25 is disposed on each side of the substantially rectangular buffer shape. That is, one magnet 25 (or more) may be disposed on the front buffer, another magnet 25 (or more) may be disposed on the rear buffer, another magnet 25 (or more) may be disposed on the side buffer, and another magnet 25 (or more) may be disposed on the opposite side buffer. The magnet 25 may enable the coupling of various buffers of adjacent ride vehicles 13, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below. References to "front buffer", "rear buffer" and "side buffer" may indicate the relevant terms of the direction in which the passengers in the ride vehicle 13 are facing. For example, as shown, passengers in ride vehicle 13 may be facing forward toward show elements 40, 42 as indicated by orientation arrows 27. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the buffer segment of the rectangular buffer shape closest to show elements 40, 42 may be the "front buffer." It should be noted that while ride vehicle 13 includes four magnets (one magnet on each buffer of rectangular buffer shape 23), in other embodiments, each side of the substantially rectangular buffer shape 23 may include two or more magnets separated from each other.

[0038] The vehicles 13 in the illustrated embodiment are separated from one another and disposed on the ride path 12. As will be appreciated in the subsequent views of the accompanying drawings and corresponding descriptions, the magnets 25 of the vehicles 13 can be selectively coupled (e.g., with the assistance of the control system 26 and / or via sensor feedback related to the relative proximity of the ride vehicles 13, which sensor feedback can be received by the control system 26) and decoupled. The magnets 25 can facilitate improved coupling over conventional locking mechanisms because the magnets 25 only require contact, whereas conventional locking mechanisms may require the ride vehicle 13 to be slowed or stopped to lockingly engage.

[0039] The ride vehicles 13 may be maneuverable along the ride path 12 in direction 34 (or in the direction opposite thereto) and in direction 36 (or in the direction opposite thereto). Moreover, the ride vehicles 13 may yaw in a circumferential direction 38 (or in the direction opposite thereto). Thus, while in the illustrated embodiment, the orientation direction 27 of each of the ride vehicles 13 is substantially similar, the ride vehicles 13 may be maneuvered to include different orientation directions 27 (e.g., relative to the beginning or end of the ride path 12, the show elements 40, 42 of the ride path 12, or some other substantially stationary reference point). As previously described, the control system 26 may be operable to control the movement of the ride vehicles 13. In certain embodiments, the ride vehicles 13 may include separate controllers (e.g., disposed on a particular ride vehicle 13) that operate independently or in conjunction with the control system 26 to manipulate the ride vehicles 13.

[0040] As shown, the ride vehicles 13 are modular, meaning that each ride vehicle 13 is interchangeable with another ride vehicle 13. In other words, the first ride vehicle 14 is substantially similar to the second ride vehicle 16, the third ride vehicle 18, the fourth ride vehicle 20, the fifth ride vehicle 22, and the sixth ride vehicle 24. At least in part because the ride vehicles 13 are modular, include magnets 25 disposed along several exterior surfaces of each ride vehicle 13, and are manipulable in directions 34, 36, 38 (or directions opposite thereto), the configuration of the ride vehicles 13 can be dynamically changed along the ride path 12. For example, as previously described, the direction of travel may be changed, the orientation may be changed, the grouping of ride vehicles 13 may be changed, the order of travel (e.g., relative to a reference point along the ride path 12, such as the beginning or end of the ride path 12) may be changed, the distances between individual ride vehicles 13 or groups (e.g., "clusters") of ride vehicles 13 may be changed, interactions with show elements 40, 42 of the ride system 10 may be initiated, etc. These and other features are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of an embodiment of a first ride vehicle 14. As previously described, Figure 1 The ride vehicle 13 may be modular, or include modular coupling features, which means that Figure 2 The illustrated first ride vehicle 14 may be substantially similar to Figure 1 Other transportation 13 or including Figure 1The AGV 14 is a vehicle that is similar to the other ride vehicles 13 of the present invention. This modularity increases the number of possible reconfiguration types relative to conventional embodiments. The ride vehicle 14 described will be referred to as an AGV hereinafter. The AGV 14 includes two passenger seats 63, each configured to accommodate a passenger. Moreover, the AGV 14 includes two safety restraint bars 60 and two headrests 62 corresponding to the two passenger seats 63. In the illustrated embodiment, the AGV 14 includes a first outer side (e.g., a front buffer 66), two second outer sides extending from the first outer side (e.g., two side buffers 71, 72), and a fourth outer side (e.g., a rear buffer [not shown]). The front buffer 66 includes two magnets 25, and the opposite side buffers 71, 72 can each include two magnets 25, however, only one magnet 25 along the side buffers 71, 72 is shown due to the illustrated perspective.

[0042] As previously described, the magnets 25 of the first AGV 14 can be coupled and decoupled with other magnets of other ride vehicles along various sections of the ride path 12. The illustrated AGV 14 also includes a wheel set 70 that facilitates movement of the AGV along the ride path 12. Moreover, the AGV 14 includes at least one (e.g., one, two, three, four, or more) proximity sensor 68 disposed, for example, along the exterior of the AGV 14. The proximity sensor 68 in the illustrated embodiment is disposed adjacent to an edge between the front bumper 66 and the side bumpers 71, 72. The proximity sensor 68 can detect the proximity of an adjacent ride vehicle and can send the proximity data to the AGV 14. Figure 1 , the control system 26 can couple and decouple the first AGV 14 with adjacent AGVs based at least in part on sensor feedback. The proximity sensor 68 can be, for example, a laser proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, a Doppler effect proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, a Hall effect proximity sensor, or some other suitable proximity sensor.

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 1 is a side view of an AGV 14. As shown, the AGV 14 includes a front buffer 66, two side buffers 71, 72 (only one is shown due to the illustrated perspective), and a rear buffer 74. As shown, a proximity sensor 68 can be disposed between the illustrated side buffers 71, 72 and the edges formed between the front buffer 66 and the rear buffer 74.

[0044] Figure 4 yes Figure 21 . A top-down view of an AGV 14 is shown. As shown, the AGV 14 includes a substantially rectangular buffer shape 23 formed by a front buffer 66, a rear buffer 74, and two side buffers 71, 72 (e.g., four outer sides). Proximity sensors 68 are disposed at four corners 69 of the substantially rectangular buffer shape 23. As shown, two magnets 25 are disposed on each of the front buffer 66, the first side buffer 71, the second side buffer 72, and the rear buffer 74. The magnets 25 on the front buffer 66 are separated by a distance that is equal to the distance the magnets 25 are separated on the rear buffer 74, equal to the distance the magnets 25 are separated on the first side buffer 71, and equal to the distance the magnets 25 are separated on the second side buffer 72. Thus, any of the four buffers 66, 71, 72, 74 of the illustrated first ride vehicle 14 can be coupled to other ride vehicles (e.g., Figure 1 Any of the four buffers of the second ride vehicle 16, the third ride vehicle 18, the fourth ride vehicle 20, the fifth ride vehicle 22 and the sixth ride vehicle 24).

[0045] For example, Figure 5 Yes Figure 11. A top-down view of an embodiment of a possible coupling maneuver of multiple AGVs for use with a ride system 10 of FIG. Five AGVs are shown, including a first AGV 14, a second AGV 16, a third AGV 18, a fourth AGV 20, and a fifth AGV 22, however, in another embodiment, more or fewer AGVs may be included. As shown, the first AGV 14 is substantially surrounded by the second AGV 16, the third AGV 18, the fourth AGV 20, and the fifth AGV 22. Arrows illustrate how the front buffer 66 of the first AGV 14 can be magnetically coupled to the rear buffer 74 of the second AGV 16, how the side buffer 72 of the first AGV 14 can be magnetically coupled to the rear buffer 74 of the third AGV 18, how the rear buffer 74 of the first AGV 14 can be magnetically coupled to the rear buffer 74 of the fourth AGV 20, and how the side buffer 71 of the first AGV 14 can be magnetically coupled to the front buffer 66 of the fifth AGV 22. Likewise, the curved arrows show how the side buffer 72 of the second AGV 16 can be magnetically coupled to the side buffer 72 of the third AGV 18, the side buffer 72 of the third AGV 18 can be magnetically coupled to the side buffer 71 of the fourth AGV 20, the side buffer 72 of the fourth AGV 20 can be magnetically coupled to the side buffer 72 of the fifth AGV 22, and the side buffer 71 of the fifth AGV 22 can be magnetically coupled to the side buffer 71 of the second AGV 16. Of course, the position of the AGV 14 can also be changed, so that, for example, any one of the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 can be set in the middle of the illustrated embodiment, or so that different arrangements or cumulative shapes of the coupled AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 are possible. Further, any number of AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 may or may not be coupled, thereby forming vehicle clusters or groups of different sizes. That is, the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 can be magnetically coupled to form different groups, different orders, and different orientations, among other configuration changes.

[0046] Figure 6-11 Perspective views illustrating an embodiment of a ride sequence in which ride vehicles are magnetically coupled and decoupled to form various configurations. For simplicity, the ride vehicles are hereinafter referred to as AGVs. Furthermore, in order to simplify the drawings and corresponding descriptions, many of the numbered aspects of the illustrated AGVs (particularly, the magnets) are not shown in the figure. Figure 6-11 Medium number.

[0047] exist Figure 6, the first AGV 14 is magnetically coupled to the second AGV 16 side by side, the third AGV 18 is magnetically coupled to the fourth AGV 20 side by side, and the fifth AGV 22 is magnetically coupled to the sixth AGV 24 side by side. Moreover, the sixth AGV 24 is magnetically coupled to the fourth AGV 20 front to back, the fifth AGV 22 is magnetically coupled to the third AGV 18 front to back, the fourth AGV 20 is magnetically coupled to the second AGV 15 front to back, and the third AGV 18 is magnetically coupled to the first AGV 14 front to back. Thus, the first AGV 14, the second AGV 16, the third AGV 18, the fourth AGV 20, the fifth AGV 22, and the sixth AGV 24 form a six-vehicle cluster with three rows and two columns. In FIG. 7, the rows are magnetically decoupled from each other. For example, the first AGV 14 is magnetically decoupled from the third AGV 18, the second AGV 16 is magnetically decoupled from the fourth AGV 20, the third AGV 18 is magnetically decoupled from the fifth AGV 22, and the fourth AGV 20 is magnetically decoupled from the sixth AGV 24. That is, the AGVs are magnetically decoupled to form three two-vehicle clusters. The magnetic decoupling may involve, for example, controlling the magnets of the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 24 so that the magnets are not magnetically attracted to each other, and, in some embodiments, so that the magnets repel each other. As previously described, the magnets may be controlled by a control system (e.g., Figure 1 The control system 26) may be used to control the electromagnets, and the polarity of one or more of the magnets may be changed by reversing the current through the magnets. Additionally or alternatively, bar magnets or the like may be used, and the bar magnets or the like may be rotatable so that the opposite polarity faces outward from the vehicle.

[0048] exist Figure 8 , the first AGV 14 is magnetically decoupled from the second AGV 16, the third AGV 18 is magnetically decoupled from the fourth AGV 20, and the fifth AGV 22 is magnetically decoupled from the sixth AGV 24. Figure 8 In the embodiment, each of the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 is operated independently of the magnetic coupling.

[0049] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, Figure 1 The control system 26) is operated. Fig.10As shown in FIG. 1 , the AGVs 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 24 may be maneuvered toward a position that enables further coupling thereof. Fig.11 1 is a perspective view of AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 magnetically coupled to form three two-vehicle clusters. That is, the first AGV 14 is magnetically coupled to the fourth AGV 20 side by side, the second AGV 16 is magnetically coupled to the fifth AGV 22 side by side, and the third AGV 18 is magnetically coupled to the sixth AGV 24 side by side. It should be noted that Fig.11 The pairing in is different from Figure 7 Moreover, the pairs described can be similar to Figure 6 The front-to-rear pairing may also differ from Figure 6 The front to rear pairing shown in . Figure 6-11 This illustrates one possible type of ride implementation according to the disclosed embodiments, however, other ride implementations are possible. For example, the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 may be magnetically coupled so that Figure 5 As described in , facing different directions (e.g., thereby changing their orientation), and thereby forming vehicle clusters of different numbers and sizes.

[0050] exist Figure 12-17 Description Figure 1 Another example of an embodiment of a possible ride execution for the ride system 10 is shown. Fig.12 is coupled into an eight-vehicle cluster Figure 1 To simplify the drawings and corresponding descriptions, many of the numbered aspects of the illustrated AGV (particularly, the magnets) are not shown in the figure. Figure 12-17 Medium number.

[0051] Fig.12 The illustration in includes a first AGV 14, a second AGV 16, a third AGV 18, a fourth AGV 20, a fifth AGV 22, a sixth AGV 24, a seventh AGV 100, and an eighth AGV 102. The AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102 are coupled side by side and back to front to form an eight-vehicle cluster with four rows and two columns. Fig.12 40 and 42 are shown in FIG. 4. The first performance element 40 includes a first rectangular base 41, and the second performance element 42 includes a second rectangular base 43. The rectangular base 41 of the performance element 40 and the rectangular base 43 of the performance element 42 can be magnetized or otherwise coupled to the AGV or ride vehicle magnet. Fig.13 and Fig.14, AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102 have been magnetically decoupled and are approaching performance elements 40, 42, and first AGV 14 and second AGV 16 are magnetically coupled to rectangular base 41 of performance element 40 and rectangular base 43 of performance element 42, respectively, wherein third AGV 18 and fourth AGV 20 are close to being magnetically coupled to rectangular bases 41, 43. Fig.15 1 is a perspective view of a ride system whereby all eight AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102 are magnetically coupled to rectangular base 41 of show element 40, rectangular base 43 of show element 42, respectively. As shown, the rear buffer of first AGV 14, the rear buffer of fourth AGV 20, the rear buffer of fifth AGV 22, and the rear buffer of eighth AGV 102 are magnetically coupled to rectangular base 41 of first show element 40, while the front buffer of second AGV 16, the front buffer of third AGV 18, the front buffer of sixth AGV 24, and the front buffer of seventh AGV 100 are magnetically coupled to rectangular base 43 of second show element 42. Of course, different buffers of various AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102 may be coupled to different ones of rectangular base 41 of show element 40, rectangular base 43 of show element 42, respectively and in different orders. Moreover, in some embodiments, only certain of the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102 may be coupled to a show element 40, 42. As previously described, the modular relationship between the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102 and the modular nature of the sides and corresponding magnets of a particular one of the AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102 enable a number of dynamically adjustable ride configurations related to direction of travel, grouping (e.g., size and matching), orientation, separation distances, etc. of ride vehicles (e.g., AGVs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 100, 102).

[0052] Fig.18 It is to explain the operation Figure 1 2 is a process flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 200 for a ride system of FIG. 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the method 200 includes magnetically coupling ride vehicles (block 202) to form a first ride configuration. As previously described, the ride vehicles may each include one or more magnets, such as a plurality of magnets disposed or exposed along an exterior of the ride vehicle. The ride vehicles may be configured such as shown and described above. Figure 5-17The various ways described are coupled. Ride vehicles can be magnetically coupled rear to rear, side to side, front to front, or front to rear. Ride vehicles can be magnetically coupled into groups or clusters of any number of ride vehicles. Groups or clusters can travel in similar directions or different directions, and can be oriented or coupled differently from each other. In some embodiments, a proximity sensor can enable a control system to determine and / or facilitate appropriate coupling. For example, sensor feedback from a proximity sensor can enable a control system to determine which magnets of which ride vehicles are adjacent to each other and guide the magnets and corresponding ride vehicles together into a magnetically coupled engagement. As previously described, magnets can be coupled without an interlocking mechanism, thereby enabling ride vehicles to be magnetically coupled together without having to stop or substantially slow down.

[0053] Method 200 also includes magnetically decoupling at least some of the ride vehicles (block 204) to form a second ride configuration different from the first ride configuration. For example, as previously described, the cluster of coupled ride vehicles can be decoupled or partially decoupled so that the ride vehicles or a smaller cluster of ride vehicles can be manipulated independently of the previous larger cluster. In an embodiment where the magnet is an electromagnet, the decoupling can be initiated by eliminating the current through the magnet and enabling the ride vehicles (e.g., with the help of a control system) to maneuver away from each other in different directions. Moreover, in certain maneuvers, the current can be reversed to cause the electromagnet to change polarity, which can promote magnetic repulsion between two magnets of adjacent ride vehicles. Magnetic repulsion can be utilized to decouple the ride vehicles and / or cause movement of the ride vehicles. Magnetic repulsion can also be achieved by utilizing a rotatable bar magnet, which rotates based on a control command made by a control system to cause a change in the polarity of the portion of the magnet facing outward from the vehicle.

[0054] The method 200 also includes magnetically coupling at least some of the other ride vehicles (block 206) to form a third ride configuration that is different from the first ride configuration and the second ride configuration. Figure 6-11 As described with reference to the ride sequence illustrated in , ride vehicles can be magnetically coupled at a first point in the ride device in a first configuration related to vehicle travel order, vehicle cluster size or shape, vehicle matching, travel direction, etc., and can be magnetically coupled at a second point in the ride device in a second configuration related to vehicle travel order, vehicle cluster size or shape, vehicle matching, travel direction, etc., wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration in at least one aspect.

[0055] The method 200 also includes magnetically coupling (block 208) the show element to at least some of the ride vehicles to form a fourth ride configuration that is different from the first configuration, the second configuration, and the third configuration. Figure 12-17 As described with reference to the ride sequence illustrated in , the ride vehicle can be controlled to maneuver toward and magnetically couple to various show elements in position along the ride path. The ride vehicle can also be controlled to magnetically decouple from the show elements and continue along the ride path.

[0056] In accordance with the present disclosure, the present ride system includes ride vehicles that are controllable to enable improved configuration of the ride system and its ride vehicles. At least in part because the ride vehicles can be modular, can include magnets disposed along several exterior surfaces of each ride vehicle, and can be maneuverable in a variety of directions, and do not require adherence to physical tracks, the ride vehicle configuration can be dynamically changed along the ride path. For example, as previously described, vehicle travel direction can be changed, vehicle orientation can be changed, grouping of ride vehicles can be changed, vehicle travel order (e.g., relative to a reference point along the ride path, such as the beginning or end of the ride path) can be changed, distances between individual ride vehicles or groups of ride vehicles (e.g., "clusters") can be changed, interactions with show elements of the ride system can be initiated, and the like.

[0057] Although only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A riding system, comprising: a first ride vehicle having a first magnet extending along a first outer side of the first ride vehicle and a first additional magnet extending along a first additional outer side of the first ride vehicle, wherein the first additional outer side extends transversely to the first outer side; a second ride vehicle having a second magnet extending along a second outer side of the second ride vehicle and a second additional magnet extending along a second additional outer side of the second ride vehicle, wherein the second additional outer side extends transversely to the second outer side; and a control system configured to control operation of one or both of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle to: establishing a first coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet in a first configuration; establishing a second coupling between the first magnet and the second further magnet in a second configuration; establishing a third coupling between the first further magnet and the second magnet in a third configuration; and A fourth coupling between the first further magnet and the second further magnet is established in a fourth configuration.

2. The ride system according to claim 1, wherein: The control system is configured to control operation of one or both of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle into a decoupled configuration in which there is a complete decoupling of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle.

3. The ride system according to claim 1, wherein: The first ride vehicle includes a first passenger compartment disposed between the first outer side and the first further outer side, and the second ride vehicle includes a second passenger compartment disposed between the second outer side and the second further outer side.

4. The ride system according to claim 1, wherein: The control system is configured to control the operation of one or both of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle to: establishing the first coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet in the first configuration such that the second ride vehicle faces in a first direction; as well as Establishing the second coupling between the first magnet and the second further magnet in the second configuration causes the second ride vehicle to face in a second direction different from the first direction.

5. The ride system according to claim 1, wherein: The first ride vehicle includes a first outer front side extending transversely to the first outer side and parallel to the first further outer side, and a first front side magnet extending along the first outer front side; A second ride vehicle includes a second outer front side extending transverse to the second outer side and parallel to the second further outer side, and a second front side magnet extending along the second outer front side; and The control system is configured to control the operation of one or both of the first ride vehicle and the second ride vehicle to: establishing a fifth coupling between the first front side magnet and the second front side magnet in a fifth configuration; establishing a sixth coupling between the first front magnet and the second magnet in a sixth configuration; establishing a seventh coupling between the first front magnet and the second additional magnet in a seventh configuration; establishing an eighth coupling between the second front-side magnet and the first magnet in an eighth configuration; and A ninth coupling between the second front magnet and the first further magnet is established in a ninth configuration.

6. The ride system of claim 1, wherein: The first outer side extends substantially perpendicularly to the first further outer side, and the second outer side extends substantially perpendicularly to the second further outer side.

7. The ride system of claim 1, comprising a third ride vehicle having a third magnet extending along a third outer side of the third ride vehicle and a third additional magnet extending along a third additional outer side of the third ride vehicle, wherein: The third additional outer side extends transversely to the third outer side, and wherein the control system is configured to operate the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle and / or the third ride vehicle to: establishing a fifth coupling between the first magnet and the third magnet in a fifth configuration; establishing a sixth coupling between the first magnet and the third further magnet in a sixth configuration; establishing a seventh coupling between the first further magnet and the third magnet in a seventh configuration; establishing an eighth coupling between the first further magnet and the third further magnet in an eighth configuration; establishing a ninth coupling between the second magnet and the third magnet in a ninth configuration; establishing a tenth coupling between the second magnet and the third further magnet in a tenth configuration; establishing an eleventh coupling between the second additional magnet and the third magnet in an eleventh configuration; establishing a twelfth coupling between the second further magnet and the third further magnet in a twelfth configuration; and In the decoupled configuration, the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle, and the third ride vehicle are generally decoupled.

8. The ride system according to claim 7, wherein: The control system is configured to establish a magnetic coupling of the second ride vehicle to both the first ride vehicle and the third ride vehicle such that the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle, and the third ride vehicle form a three-vehicle cluster.

9. The ride system of claim 1, wherein: The first ride vehicle includes a first proximity sensor, and the second ride vehicle includes a second proximity sensor; the control system being configured to receive sensor feedback from the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; as well as The control system is configured to determine and cause appropriate coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet or the first magnet and the second further magnet based at least in part on the sensor feedback.

10. The ride system of claim 1, comprising an interactive show element, wherein: The control system enables the interactive show element to be additionally coupled with the first magnet, the first additional magnet, the second magnet, the second additional magnet, or any combination thereof.

11. The ride system of claim 1, wherein: The first ride vehicle comprises a first automated guided vehicle, and the second ride vehicle comprises a second automated guided vehicle.

12. The ride system of claim 11, comprising a substantially smooth ride path surface, wherein: The first automated guided vehicle includes a first wheel set configured to enable the first automated guided vehicle to move along the substantially smooth riding path surface, and wherein the second automated guided vehicle includes a second wheel set configured to enable the second automated guided vehicle to move along the substantially smooth path surface.

13. The ride system of claim 1, wherein: The first magnet includes a first electromagnet, the second magnet includes a second electromagnet, and operation of each of the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet is controlled by the control system.

14. A riding system comprising: a substantially smooth riding path surface; a first automated guided vehicle having a first magnet and having a first set of wheels configured to enable movement of the first automated guided vehicle along the substantially smooth ride path surface; a second automated guided vehicle having a second magnet and having a second set of wheels configured to enable the second automated guided vehicle to move along the substantially smooth ride path surface; a third automated guided vehicle having a third magnet and having a third set of wheels configured to enable the third automated guided vehicle to move along the substantially smooth ride path surface; and a control system configured to operate the first automated guided vehicle, the second automated guided vehicle, the third automated guided vehicle, or a combination thereof to enable coupling between the first magnet and the second magnet in a first configuration, coupling between the first magnet and the third magnet in a second configuration, and coupling between the second magnet and the third magnet in a third configuration; wherein the first automated guided vehicle comprises a first side along which the first magnet extends, a first further side extending transversely to the first side, and a first further magnet extending along the first further side; wherein the second automated guided vehicle comprises a second side along which the second magnet extends, a second further side extending transversely to the second side, and a second further magnet extending along the second further side; The third automated guided vehicle comprises a third side along which the third magnet extends, a third further side extending transversely to the third side, and a third further magnet extending along the third further side; and Wherein, the control system is configured to manipulate the first automated guided vehicle, the second automated guided vehicle, the third automated guided vehicle or a combination thereof to achieve additional coupling between the first magnet and the second additional magnet in a fourth configuration, between the first magnet and the third additional magnet in a fifth configuration, between the second magnet and the first additional magnet in a sixth configuration, between the second magnet and the third additional magnet in a seventh configuration, between the third magnet and the first additional magnet in an eighth configuration, between the third magnet and the second additional magnet in a ninth configuration, between the first additional magnet and the second additional magnet in a tenth configuration, between the first additional magnet and the third additional magnet in an eleventh configuration, and between the second additional magnet and the third additional magnet in a twelfth configuration.

15. The ride system of claim 14, wherein: The first automated guided vehicle comprises a first additional magnet extending along a different side of the first automated guided vehicle than the first magnet, wherein the second automated guided vehicle comprises a second additional magnet extending along a different side of the second automated guided vehicle than the second magnet, and wherein the third automated guided vehicle comprises a third additional magnet extending along a different side of the third automated guided vehicle than the third magnet.

16. The ride system of claim 14, wherein: The control system is configured to enable multiple magnetic couplings between the first automated guided vehicle, the second automated guided vehicle, and the third automated guided vehicle, so that the vehicle sequence of the first automated guided vehicle, the second automated guided vehicle, and the third automated guided vehicle changes at different sections of the basically smooth ride path relative to the end of the basically smooth ride path surface.

17. The ride system of claim 14, comprising a first proximity sensor disposed on the first automated guided vehicle, a second proximity sensor disposed on the second automated guided vehicle, and a third proximity sensor disposed on the third automated guided vehicle, wherein: The control system is configured to receive sensor feedback from the first proximity sensor, the second proximity sensor, and the third proximity sensor, and wherein the control system is configured to determine and cause appropriate magnetic coupling between the first automated guided vehicle, the second automated guided vehicle, and / or the third automated guided vehicle based at least in part on the sensor feedback.

18. A riding system comprising: a first ride vehicle having a first plurality of magnets extending from a first exterior side of the first ride vehicle; a second ride vehicle having a second plurality of magnets extending from a second outer side of the second ride vehicle; as well as a control system configured to manipulate the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle, or both to enable certain first magnets of the first plurality of magnets to be dynamically coupled and decoupled with certain second magnets of the second plurality of magnets along a ride path of the ride system such that a ride vehicle configuration changes during the course of the ride path, wherein the ride vehicle configuration includes at least one of a vehicle travel order relative to an end of the ride path, a vehicle travel direction, or a vehicle orientation relative to the vehicle travel direction; Wherein, the control system is configured to enable the interactive performance element to couple with any one of the plurality of magnets.

19. The ride system of claim 18, wherein: The first plurality of magnets are distributed along a first side of the first ride vehicle and a first other side of the first ride vehicle, the first other side extending transversely to the first side; and The second plurality of magnets are distributed along a second side of the second ride vehicle and a second other side of the second ride vehicle, the second other side extending transversely to the second side.

20. The ride system of claim 18, wherein: The ride vehicle configuration includes at least two of the vehicle travel order relative to the end of the ride path, the vehicle travel direction, or the vehicle orientation relative to the travel direction.

21. The ride system of claim 18, comprising a third ride vehicle having a third plurality of magnets extending from a third outer side of the third ride vehicle, wherein: The control system is configured to manipulate the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle, the third ride vehicle, or a combination thereof so that the first ride vehicle, the second ride vehicle, and the third ride vehicle can be dynamically magnetically coupled and decoupled along the ride path of the ride system so that the ride vehicle configuration changes during the course of the ride path.

22. The ride system of claim 18, comprising: a first proximity sensor disposed on the first riding vehicle; as well as a second proximity sensor disposed on the second ride vehicle, wherein the control system is configured to receive sensor feedback from the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor, and wherein the control system is configured to dynamically couple and decouple at least a portion of the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets based at least in part on the sensor feedback.

23. The ride system of claim 18, wherein: The ride path includes a substantially smooth ride path, wherein the first ride vehicle includes a first automated guided vehicle having a first wheel set configured to enable the first automated guided vehicle to move along the substantially smooth ride path, and wherein the second ride vehicle includes a second automated guided vehicle having a second wheel set configured to enable the second automated guided vehicle to move along the substantially smooth ride path.

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