Ferris wheel column and ferris wheel

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of amusement facilities, in particular to a ferris wheel stand column and a ferris wheel. The ferris wheel stand column comprises a stand column assembly, a wheel hub shaft seat and a stand column head. The stand column assembly comprises two stand columns, one end of each stand column is connected to each other, and the two stand columns are used for supporting the whole ferris wheel together. The wheel hub shaft seat is installed at both ends of the stand column assembly. The stand column head is sleeved on the stand column and supports the turntable and the wheel hub shaft seat. The two stand columns are symmetrically arranged along the center of the wheel hub shaft seat. The symmetrically arranged stand columns are connected with the wheel hub shaft seat and the stand column head to form an integral whole, and the action force of the whole ferris wheel is dispersed. The stand column comprises a plate rib structure, the plate rib structure comprises a first plate rib and a second plate rib, the first plate rib is arranged along the axial direction of the stand column, the second plate rib is arranged along the circumferential direction of the stand column, and the connecting points of the first plate rib and the second plate rib are uniformly distributed in the interior of the stand column. The action force acting on the stand column can be dispersed through the first plate rib and the second plate rib, and the supporting action of the stand column itself is further ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of amusement facility technology, specifically to a Ferris wheel column and a Ferris wheel. Background Technology

[0002] While the design of the core supporting structure columns of Ferris wheels, as large-scale observation rides, is relatively mature, existing columns mostly employ traditional frame or cylindrical structures. These structures suffer from poor overall stiffness and damping performance, making them prone to excessive swaying and even harmful vortex-induced vibrations under complex conditions such as wind loads, affecting operational stability and comfort. Furthermore, unreasonable node design, especially the layout of welded areas, leads to stress concentration, making the weld areas highly susceptible to fatigue cracking under alternating loads, threatening the long-term reliability of the structure.

[0003] While existing technologies have attempted to enhance stability by employing symmetrical arrangements of columns on one side or by adding internal reinforcing ribs to improve stiffness, these improvements have failed to systematically solve the problem. If the symmetrical layout is not optimized in conjunction with dynamic characteristics, or if the internal reinforcing ribs are poorly designed, it may actually induce new stress concentrations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention is made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Its purpose is to provide a Ferris wheel support column. By setting two columns on one side of the support column assembly, the Ferris wheel turntable is supported as a whole, forming a more efficient lateral force resisting structure, avoiding insufficient rigidity of the Ferris wheel support column and affecting its service life.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a Ferris wheel support column for supporting the Ferris wheel turntable, comprising: a support column assembly including two columns, one end of the two columns being connected to each other; a hub axle seat, both ends of which are respectively mounted on the support column assembly; and a column head fitted onto the columns to support the turntable and the hub axle seat; wherein the two columns are symmetrically arranged along the center of the hub axle seat, and each column includes a rib structure, the rib structure including a first rib and a second rib, the first rib being arranged along the axial direction of the column, and the second rib being arranged along the circumferential direction of the column, the connection points of the first rib and the second rib being evenly distributed inside the column.

[0006] Preferably, it also includes a crossbeam connected to the two columns, the crossbeam being parallel to the ground.

[0007] Preferably, the column head includes two connecting ends and a mounting end, the two connecting ends are respectively connected to the two columns, and the mounting end supports the wheel hub seat.

[0008] Preferably, the two connecting ends are integrally formed.

[0009] Preferably, the edge of the connecting end is provided with reinforcing ribs.

[0010] Preferably, the included angle between the two columns is an acute angle.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes column base plates, which are installed at the bottom of the column and on the ground.

[0012] The present invention also provides a Ferris wheel, including a turntable and a Ferris wheel column as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the turntable is rotatably mounted on the Ferris wheel column.

[0013] Based on the above description and practical application, the Ferris wheel support column of this invention, used to support the Ferris wheel turntable, includes a support column assembly, a hub axle seat, and a support column head. The support column assembly includes two columns, one end of which is connected to each other to jointly support the Ferris wheel as a whole. Both ends of the hub axle seat are respectively installed on the support column assembly. The turntable is connected to the support column assembly through the hub axle seat, and the turntable can rotate relative to the hub axle seat. The support column head is fitted onto the column, supporting the turntable and the hub axle seat, ensuring that the rotational force between the turntable and the hub axle seat does not directly act on the column, thus preventing the column from being directly subjected to the torsional force of the turntable and affecting the service life of the support column assembly. The two columns are symmetrically arranged along the center of the hub axle seat. The symmetrically arranged columns, hub axle seat, and support column head are connected as a whole, which can evenly distribute the force of the entire Ferris wheel and resist environmental forces such as strong winds, further ensuring the supporting function of the Ferris wheel support column for the whole. The column includes a slab reinforcement structure, which enhances the overall supporting capacity and strength of the column. The slab reinforcement structure includes a first slab reinforcement and a second slab reinforcement. The first slab reinforcement is arranged along the axial direction of the column, and the second slab reinforcement is arranged along the circumference. The connection points between the first and second slab reinforcements are evenly distributed within the column. This not only strengthens the column itself but also disperses the forces acting on the column through the connection points, further ensuring the column's supporting function. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a Ferris wheel column according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a side view of a Ferris wheel column according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a Ferris wheel column in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the column head of a Ferris wheel column according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Column assembly; 10. Segmented column; 11. Column; 12. Slab reinforcement structure; 13. First slab reinforcement; 14. Second slab reinforcement; 15. Connection end; 16. Installation end; 2. Hub axle seat; 3. Column head; 4. Horizontal beam; 5. Reinforcing rib; 6. Column base reinforcement plate; 7. Ladder assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0020] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative diagrams of the present invention and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. It should be noted that in this invention disclosure, the terms "comprising," "configured with," and "set in" are used to indicate an open-ended inclusion, meaning that additional elements / components / etc. may exist besides those listed; the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only as labels and are not intended to limit the number or order of objects; the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention.

[0021] Unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] This invention discloses a Ferris wheel support column; please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 4The Ferris wheel pillars support the Ferris wheel's turntable and include a pillar assembly 1, a hub axle seat 2, and a pillar head 3. The pillar assembly 1 consists of two pillars 11, one end of which is connected to each other to jointly support the Ferris wheel as a whole. The hub axle seat 2 is mounted on both ends of the pillar assembly 1, and the turntable is connected to the pillar assembly 1 via the hub axle seat 2, allowing the turntable to rotate relative to the hub axle seat 2. The pillar head 3 is fitted onto the pillar 11, supporting the turntable and hub axle seat 2, preventing the rotational force between the turntable and hub axle seat 2 from directly acting on the pillar 11, thus avoiding direct torsional force on the pillar 11 and affecting the service life of the pillar assembly 1. Two columns 11 are symmetrically arranged around the center of the hub axle seat 2. These symmetrically arranged columns 11, hub axle seat 2, and column heads 3 are connected as a whole, which can evenly distribute the force acting on the entire Ferris wheel and resist environmental forces such as strong winds, further ensuring the supporting function of the Ferris wheel columns. Each column 11 includes a rib structure 12, which strengthens the overall supporting capacity and strength of the column 11. The rib structure 12 includes a first rib 13 and a second rib 14. The first rib 13 is arranged along the axial direction of the column 11, and the second rib 14 is arranged along the circumferential direction of the column 11. The connection points of the first rib 13 and the second rib 14 are evenly distributed inside the column 11. This strengthens the column 11 itself and disperses the force acting on the column 11 through the connection points between the first rib 13 and the second rib 14, further ensuring the supporting function of the column 11.

[0023] Understandably, to enhance the overall strength of the Ferris wheel column, in some embodiments, the Ferris wheel column also includes a crossbeam 4. The crossbeam 4 connects to the two columns 11, providing a certain supporting force between the two columns 11 on the same side, and transmitting the force of the turntable and hub axle 2 to the two columns 11, and then to the ground through the two columns 11. The crossbeam 4 is parallel to the ground, which on the one hand connects the two columns 11 into a whole, and as a whole, it bears the weight of the Ferris wheel and the forces of the external environment, ensuring that the Ferris wheel is more stable during operation, reducing the amplitude of swaying, and improving the experience of the riders; on the other hand, it can evenly distribute the torque force of the Ferris wheel rotation and the forces of the external environment on the columns 11, further ensuring the overall stability of the Ferris wheel using this type of column.

[0024] Understandably, to further improve the overall strength of the Ferris wheel pillars, in some embodiments, the pillar head 3 includes two connecting ends 15 and a mounting end 16. The two connecting ends 15 are respectively connected to the two pillars 11, strengthening the connection between the two pillars 11 and preventing damage or detachment due to uneven force distribution caused by unstable connection between the pillars 11, thus avoiding safety accidents. The mounting end 16 supports the hub axle seat 2, increasing the contact area between the hub axle seat 2 and the pillar 11, thereby ensuring the support strength of the pillar 11. The pillar head 3 can be independently molded from two pillar heads, adapted to the pillars 11, and symmetrically welded into a whole, connecting to the pillars 11 as a single unit, simplifying the manufacturing cost of the pillar head 3.

[0025] Understandably, by treating the column assembly 1, the crossbeam 4, and the column head 3 as a whole, a high-strength load-bearing frame is provided for the support of the Ferris wheel. This not only provides stable support for the Ferris wheel as a whole, but also provides a structure that can resist and stably transmit external environmental forces by symmetrically setting the two columns 11 in the column assembly 1, thus further ensuring the support effect of the Ferris wheel columns.

[0026] Furthermore, a support rib is also provided inside the column head 3. The support rib is set at the connecting end 15 and the mounting end 16 in a wedge shape. The bottom of the support rib abuts against the edge of the connecting end 15 and the mounting end 16, further strengthening the support strength of the entire column head 3 and ensuring the stability of the Ferris wheel column.

[0027] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the two connecting ends 15 are integrally formed, and symmetrical mold opening is performed during manufacturing to further strengthen the strength of the column head 3. This avoids unnecessary shaking caused by uneven distribution of force on the column head 3 when the external environmental forces are uneven in actual application of the Ferris wheel column, which would affect the ride experience of the riders. In severe cases, it may cause damage to the column head 3 and lead to a safety accident.

[0028] Understandably, in some embodiments, the connecting end 15 is also provided with a reinforcing rib 5, which is wedge-shaped, to enhance the support strength of the entire column head 3 and ensure the stability of the Ferris wheel column.

[0029] In some embodiments, the column 11 includes multiple segmented columns 10, which are sequentially welded together. The segmented columns 10 are easier to mold during manufacturing, and when damage occurs on the column 11, the damaged segmented column 10 can be replaced individually, further reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs. During manufacturing, high-strength bolts are preferentially used for splicing, ensuring the correspondence of lengths and connections. This guarantees that the structure of the segmented columns 10 can be confirmed promptly during manufacturing, and adjustments can be made in a timely manner if deviations occur. Furthermore, the height of the Ferris wheel at that location can be adjusted more flexibly by welding different numbers of segmented columns 10. The segmented columns 10 have more application scenarios. When building a new Ferris wheel, it is no longer necessary to mold columns 11 separately according to the construction height; only a suitable number of segmented columns 10 need to be selected and welded together. This achieves modularization and prefabrication of the column 11, shortens the production cycle, and saves manufacturing costs.

[0030] Furthermore, to ensure the stability of the connection between adjacent segmented columns 10 and the safety of connecting multiple segmented columns 10, in some embodiments, the welding points of the multiple segmented columns 10 are evenly distributed and staggered. This effectively avoids the welds of multiple segmented columns 10 converging at a single point, thereby significantly reducing the risk of stress concentration and weld fatigue cracking. Specifically, the welding points of the multiple segmented columns 10 can be welded by rotating them sequentially by 60° around the circumference of the segmented column 10, so that the stress can be dispersed and the supporting strength of the column 11 can be maintained.

[0031] To ensure the Ferris wheel's pillars remain stable and exhibit minimal swaying under strong winds, in some embodiments, the included angle between the two pillars 11 is acute, creating a wide-base, low-center-of-gravity support frame between the pillar assembly 1 and the ground. This support frame is triangular in shape, allowing it to effectively decompose and transfer horizontal forces to the ground through the two diagonally braced pillars 11 when the Ferris wheel is subjected to strong lateral wind loads or earthquakes.

[0032] Understandably, to enhance the support strength of the column 11, in some embodiments, the Ferris wheel column also includes a base plate 6, which is installed at the bottom of the column 11 and the ground. The base plate 6 is also wedge-shaped; by being installed at the bottom of the column 11, it can distribute the self-weight of each structure on the Ferris wheel, the axial force of the Ferris wheel during startup, and the external environmental forces acting on the Ferris wheel, further enhancing the support strength of the column 11, reducing the swaying of the Ferris wheel, and ensuring the stability of the Ferris wheel column.

[0033] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the Ferris wheel column also includes a ladder assembly 7, which is installed inside the column 11. This serves two purposes: firstly, it ensures the aesthetics of the Ferris wheel column; secondly, due to the limited space inside the column 11, it reduces the risk of falls for maintenance personnel during repairs. A maintenance door is also provided at the bottom of the column 11. When inspecting the Ferris wheel column, maintenance personnel can enter through the maintenance door at the bottom of the column 11 and climb the ladder assembly 7 to reach the location requiring repair.

[0034] This invention provides a Ferris wheel, including a turntable and Ferris wheel columns as described above. The turntable is rotatably mounted on the Ferris wheel columns. The column assembly 1 and column head 3 of the Ferris wheel columns act as a whole, jointly supporting the entire Ferris wheel. Furthermore, the symmetrically arranged columns 11 disperse the forces acting on the entire Ferris wheel and also resist environmental forces such as strong winds, further ensuring the supporting function of the Ferris wheel columns.

[0035] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A Ferris wheel support column for supporting the Ferris wheel's turntable, comprising: The column assembly includes two columns, one end of which is connected to the other. The hub axle seat is mounted on the column assembly at both ends; The column head is fitted onto the column and supports the turntable and the hub axle seat; The two columns are symmetrically arranged around the center of the hub axle seat. Each column includes a rib structure, which includes a first rib and a second rib. The first rib is arranged along the axial direction of the column, and the second rib is arranged along the circumferential direction of the column. The connection points of the first rib and the second rib are evenly distributed inside the column.

2. The Ferris wheel column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A crossbeam connects the two columns and is parallel to the ground.

3. The Ferris wheel column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The column head includes two connecting ends and a mounting end. The two connecting ends are respectively connected to the two columns, and the mounting end supports the wheel hub seat.

4. The Ferris wheel column as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The two connecting ends are integrally formed.

5. The Ferris wheel column as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The edge of the connecting end is provided with reinforcing ribs.

6. The Ferris wheel column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The included angle between the two columns is an acute angle.

7. The Ferris wheel column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Column base plates are installed at the bottom of the column and on the ground.

8. A Ferris wheel, comprising a turntable and Ferris wheel columns as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The turntable is rotatably mounted on the Ferris wheel column.

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