Rope cylinder drive structure and swing amusement device

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of rope cylinder drive structure and swing amusement equipment, including the drive wheel of being installed on the overall frame of swing amusement equipment, rope cylinder and reversing guide pulley, and using first steel wire rope and second steel wire rope to establish drive connection, the up and down movement of rope cylinder is converted to swing arm horizontal swing by gear train mechanism, the compressibility of gas is fully utilized, the control difficulty of equipment is greatly reduced, swing arm keeps stable in the process of operation, transmission efficiency is close to gear drive structure, while system structure and control complexity are similar to friction drive structure, while the advantages of two existing drive structures are considered, it is an ideal swing amusement equipment drive structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of large-scale amusement equipment and power drive devices, and in particular to a rope cylinder transmission structure and a swinging amusement equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Large swing rides, a common type of equipment in amusement parks, provide visitors with thrilling experiences. Traditional swing rides typically use a motor and reducer as the power source, with drive mechanisms generally divided into gear transmission (e.g., the giant pendulum ride) and friction transmission (e.g., the pirate ship ride). When starting a swing ride, energy is superimposed to gradually increase the amplitude of the swing arm's movement (the drive mechanism frequently changes the drive direction by matching the swing arm's direction), ultimately determining the swing angle. Braking occurs in the opposite direction. Therefore, the efficiency and stability of the ride's drive mechanism are crucial for the stable and safe operation of swing rides.

[0003] Although existing gear transmission and friction transmission structures are mature and widely used in various swing-type amusement equipment, they still have significant drawbacks. For gear transmission structures, due to the need for high installation precision, there are strict requirements for the mounting positions of the slewing bearing and the reducer. The mounting surfaces of bearings and bevel gears in the transmission shaft system also require machining. This results in numerous machined surfaces, many of which are integrally welded and machined post-production, leading to higher production costs. Furthermore, the difficulty in adjusting gear clearances places higher demands on installation. On the other hand, the motor and reducer need to frequently reverse direction to continuously apply driving force to the swing arm according to its swing motion. In gear transmission, due to the high precision and rigidity of the gears, significant operational shocks occur when the motor speed or direction of rotation does not match the swing arm's movement. In severe cases, this can lead to gear breakage or even damage to the motor and reducer. Therefore, the control system design is complex and maintenance is inconvenient. Friction drive structures inherently suffer from low transmission efficiency, necessitating increased motor power and longer drive operation time, resulting in high energy consumption. Furthermore, the significant speed difference between the tires and the main body's friction surface during contact causes relative sliding, exacerbating tire temperature rise and potentially leading to tire melting during prolonged operation, or even tire blowout. Additionally, the friction surfaces (or friction wheels) of the main body are located on the outer circumference of the swing arm. To achieve the designed swing angle, the drive tires need to rotate at high speeds. Since the drive motor cannot achieve forward and reverse rotation at high speeds in a short time, an additional lifting mechanism is required to match the swing amplitude of the drive tires through vertical movement. This necessitates an additional pneumatic system, resulting in a larger overall equipment size and higher costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a rope cylinder transmission structure and a swinging amusement device. Through a gear train mechanism, the up-and-down movement of the rope cylinder is converted into the horizontal swinging of the swing arm. This fully utilizes the compressibility of gas, greatly reducing the difficulty of device control and ensuring the swing arm remains stable during operation. The transmission efficiency is close to that of a gear transmission structure, while the system structure and control complexity are similar to a friction transmission structure. It combines the advantages of both existing drive structures, making it an ideal drive structure for swinging amusement devices.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention includes:

[0006] A rope cylinder transmission structure, characterized in that it includes a drive wheel, a rope cylinder, and a guide wheel installed on the overall frame of the swing amusement equipment;

[0007] The drive wheel is mounted on the top of the overall frame and is fixedly connected to the swing arm of the swing amusement equipment. The rotation of the drive wheel drives the swing arm to swing and move.

[0008] The rope cylinder includes a cylinder body and a piston installed inside the cylinder body. The cylinder body has a first air intake and exhaust port and a second air intake and exhaust port at both ends. The piston is installed inside the cylinder body in the motion space between the first air intake and exhaust port and the second air intake and exhaust port and moves linearly in the motion space by air intake and exhaust operations through the first air intake and exhaust port and the second air intake and exhaust port.

[0009] The guide wheel is installed at the bottom of the overall frame and the rope cylinder is installed between the guide wheel and the drive wheel;

[0010] The drive wheel, the rope cylinder, and the guide wheel are connected by a tensioned first and second wire rope.

[0011] One end of the first steel wire rope is fixedly connected to the drive wheel, and the other end is fixedly connected to the piston facing the drive wheel; one end of the second steel wire rope is fixedly connected to the drive wheel, and the other end, after passing around the reversing guide wheel and changing direction, is fixedly connected to the piston facing away from the drive wheel; the linear motion of the piston drives the drive wheel to rotate.

[0012] Furthermore, the drive wheel, rope cylinder, and guide wheel are sequentially and vertically mounted on the overall frame in the same vertical plane.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes one or more steering wheel assemblies mounted on the overall frame of the swing amusement equipment, the steering wheel assemblies contacting and supporting the first wire rope and / or the second wire rope to enable the first wire rope and / or the second wire rope to support non-linear connection and movement.

[0014] Furthermore, the drive wheel, rope cylinder, and guide wheel are not installed in the same vertical plane.

[0015] Furthermore, the transmission structure is characterized by comprising two parallel-mounted steering wheel sets, which respectively contact and support the first wire rope and the second wire rope, thereby enabling the first wire rope and the second wire rope to form an obtuse angle non-linear connection and movement.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a driving control method for a swinging amusement device, characterized in that the swing arm is controlled to swing displacement using the rope cylinder transmission structure described above.

[0017] Furthermore, the method includes:

[0018] S1. The swing arm is in the initial vertical state. The first air intake and exhaust port performs the air intake operation, while the second air intake and exhaust port performs the air exhaust operation, driving the swing arm to perform a swinging motion in the first direction.

[0019] S2. The swing arm reaches a preset angle in the first direction through the swing motion, the first air intake and exhaust port performs the exhaust operation, and the second air intake and exhaust port performs the intake operation, driving the swing arm to perform the swing motion in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0020] S3. The swing arm reaches a preset angle in the second direction through the swing motion, the first air intake and exhaust port performs the air intake operation, and the second air intake and exhaust port performs the exhaust operation, driving the swing arm to swing back in the first direction.

[0021] S4. Repeat steps S2 to S3 to achieve swing control of the swing arm of the swinging amusement equipment.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a swinging amusement device, characterized in that the swinging amusement device uses at least one set of rope cylinder transmission structures as described above to drive the swing arm to swing displacement.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0024] The rope cylinder transmission structure and swing amusement equipment described in this invention convert the up-and-down movement of the rope cylinder into the horizontal swing of the swing arm through a gear train mechanism. This fully utilizes the compressibility of gas, greatly reducing the difficulty of equipment control and ensuring the swing arm remains stable during operation. The transmission efficiency is close to that of a gear transmission structure, while the system structure and control complexity are similar to a friction transmission structure. It combines the advantages of both existing drive structures, making it an ideal drive structure for swing amusement equipment. The rope cylinder structure is simple and small in size, and can be hidden inside the equipment frame columns. The pneumatic control system pipelines and cables are also... The components are centrally housed within the equipment column, resulting in a streamlined and aesthetically pleasing overall appearance. All parts of the drive system are flexibly connected via steel wire ropes, thus reducing installation requirements and significantly lowering processing and installation costs. The power source utilizes compressed gas combined with steel wire rope transmission, resulting in virtually no energy loss except for losses from air leakage. Furthermore, the compressibility of gas reduces the precision requirements of the control system, simplifying the control program and lowering equipment costs. With few maintenance points required, aside from the need to replace the seals on the rope cylinders as needed, other aspects require minimal maintenance, simplifying daily upkeep. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the rope cylinder transmission structure of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rope cylinder structure in a preferred embodiment of the rope cylinder transmission structure of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a front view schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the swing amusement device of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a side view schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the swing amusement device of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the swing amusement device of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal rope cylinder transmission structure in a preferred embodiment of the swing amusement device of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of the attached drawing numbers: 1-Drive wheel, 2-Rope cylinder, 21-Cylinder body, 22-Piston, 23-First intake and exhaust port, 24-Second intake and exhaust port, 3-Guide wheel for changing direction, 41-First wire rope, 42-Second wire rope, 5-Steering wheel assembly, 61-Integral frame, 62-Swing arm, 63-Occupant seat. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To better understand the content of this invention, a detailed description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] like Figure 1 The diagram shows the rope cylinder transmission structure of the present invention, including a drive wheel 1, a rope cylinder 2, a guide wheel 3, and two steering wheel sets 5 installed within an overall frame 61. A first wire rope 41 and a second wire rope 42 are sequentially connected and pass around the structural components to form a closed-loop drive circuit. The rope cylinder 2 serves as the primary power driver, using high-pressure gas supplied by an external air supply device to propel the piston 22 into or out of the cylinder body 21, thereby moving the first wire rope 41 and the second wire rope 42 accordingly. Figure 2 The diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the rope cylinder 2, comprising two main components: a cylinder body 21 and a piston 22 installed inside the cylinder body 21. The cylinder body 21 has a first intake / exhaust port 23 and a second intake / exhaust port 24 at its two ends. These ports can be controlled independently for intake and exhaust, or they can be linked to allow one port to simultaneously exhaust while the other is performing an intake operation. The piston 22's main moving area is located between the first intake / exhaust port 23 and the second intake / exhaust port 24. When one port performs an intake operation, the piston 22 is compressed by the air pressure on the intake side. Simultaneously, the other port performs an exhaust operation, creating a significant pressure difference on both sides of the piston 22, pushing it towards the exhaust side. This displacement of the piston 22 then moves the first and second wire ropes 41 and 42, which are fixedly connected to it, and causes the drive wheel 1 to rotate.

[0034] Preferably, by controlling the intake and exhaust volumes and the intake and exhaust speeds of the first intake and exhaust ports 23 and the second intake and exhaust ports 24, all the control requirements for the movement of the swing arm 62 can be achieved. For example, by gradually increasing the intake and exhaust volumes, the swing arm 62 can gradually increase its angle of motion during the swing process; or by gradually decreasing the intake and exhaust volumes, the swing arm 62 can gradually decrease its speed and angle of motion during the swing process, thus meeting the control requirements for starting and stopping the swing amusement equipment.

[0035] Of course, it is easy to understand that the rope cylinder 2 described in this invention can also be replaced by a hydraulic cylinder, an electric servo lever, etc., which can also achieve the connection and drive of the wire rope. However, the use of a cylinder has the advantages of high safety and low cost. The wire rope used for drive connection can also be replaced by a chain, steel belt or other synchronous belt or similar functional components as needed. Users can choose according to their actual use scenario.

[0036] Figures 3 to 6A preferred embodiment of a swing amusement device using the aforementioned rope-cylinder transmission structure is provided, mainly comprising an integral frame 61, a swing arm 62, and a passenger seat 63 fixedly connected to the end of the swing arm 62. Most components of the rope-cylinder transmission structure can be housed within the integral frame 61, without affecting the appearance of the swing amusement device; the drive wheel 1 can be connected to the swing arm 62 via a rotating cylinder containing bearings, allowing the drive wheel 1 and the swing arm 62 to rotate freely on a fixed axis of the integral frame 61.

[0037] To achieve a larger space for the passenger seats 63, the overall frame 61 adopts a trapezoidal shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, thus reserving more space for the lower passenger seats 63 and accommodating more tourists. At this time, since the drive wheel 1, the rope cylinder 2, and the guide wheel 3 are not in the same vertical plane, the first wire rope 41 and the second wire rope 42 cannot be connected to each component in a completely straight state. Therefore, a steering wheel assembly 5 is needed to support the first wire rope 41 and the second wire rope 42 to form a connection at a certain angle (usually an obtuse angle) to ensure the drive closed loop.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A rope cylinder drive structure, characterized by, The rope cylinder and the reversing guide pulley are installed on the overall frame of the swing amusement device, and the reversing guide pulley is installed at the bottom of the overall frame. The driving wheel is fixedly connected with the swing arm of the swing amusement device and drives the swing arm to swing by rotating the driving wheel. The rope cylinder includes a cylinder body and a piston installed in the cylinder body. The first air inlet and exhaust hole and the second air inlet and exhaust hole are arranged at the two ends of the cylinder body. The reversing guide pulley is installed at the bottom of the overall frame, and the rope cylinder is installed between the reversing guide pulley and the driving wheel. The driving wheel, the rope cylinder and the reversing guide pulley are connected by the first steel wire rope and the second steel wire rope. One end of the first steel wire rope is fixedly connected with the driving wheel, and the other end is fixedly connected with the piston on the side facing the driving wheel. The second steel wire rope is fixedly connected with the driving wheel at one end, and is fixedly connected with the piston on the side away from the driving wheel after reversing around the reversing guide pulley.

2. A swing amusement ride drive control method characterized by, The transmission structure includes two reversing pulley groups installed side by side. The driving wheel, the rope cylinder and the reversing guide pulley are not installed in the same vertical plane, and the reversing pulley group compensates for the spatial deviation of the installation position through the obtuse angle connection path. The first air inlet and exhaust hole and the second air inlet and exhaust hole are controlled to control the swing of the swing arm. The method includes the following steps: S1, the swing arm is in the initial vertical state, the first air inlet and exhaust hole performs the air inlet operation, and the second air inlet and exhaust hole performs the air exhaust operation, and the swing arm is driven to perform the swing movement in the first direction; S2, the swing arm reaches the preset angle in the first direction after the swing movement, the first air inlet and exhaust hole performs the air exhaust operation, and the second air inlet and exhaust hole performs the air inlet operation, and the swing arm is driven to perform the swing movement in the second direction opposite to the first direction; 3. A swing ride, characterized in that S3, the swing arm reaches the preset angle in the second direction after the swing movement, the first air inlet and exhaust hole performs the air inlet operation, and the second air inlet and exhaust hole performs the air exhaust operation, and the swing arm is driven to perform the swing movement in the first direction again; S4, steps S2 to S3 are repeated to realize the swing control of the swing arm of the swing amusement device. The swing amusement device is driven by at least one set of the rope cylinder transmission structure to swing.

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