Resistance control systems and methods for amusement attractions

Abstract

To provide users with the perception that they are steering a ride vehicle.SOLUTION: A resistance control system of an amusement attraction includes a support assembly having: a base; a pivot joint; and a support beam that extends between the base and the pivot joint. The resistance control system includes: a spring plate coupled to the pivot joint of the support assembly; and at least one spring engaged with the spring plate. Additionally, the resistance control system includes: an actuator plate positioned between the spring plate and the base of the support assembly; and at least one actuator coupled between the actuator plate and the base. The at least one actuator is configured to move and secure the actuator plate relative to the pivot joint to adjust resistance to movement about the pivot joint.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 889,943, filed Aug. 21, 2019, and entitled “RESISTANCE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AMUSEMENT ATTRACTIONS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present technology described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] Various entertainment attractions are designed to provide passengers with unique motion and visual experiences. In some cases, an entertainment attraction may include a ride vehicle and a ride track (or other path) along which the ride vehicle travels. In an increasing number of entertainment attractions, the ride vehicle may not follow a path. For example, the vehicle may be configured to roll, pitch, and / or yaw while fixed in place. Such vehicles may be referred to as stationary vehicles. Both stationary and path-following vehicles employ virtual reality (VR) devices to provide additional excitement. It is now recognized that it is desirable to give passengers the ability to control some aspects of these vehicles and / or the associated VR experience to enhance the excitement and immersion of the ride experience. For example, it is now recognized that it is desirable to give users the ability to steer the ride vehicle, or at least have the user feel that they are steered the ride vehicle via the VR device. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The following summarizes certain embodiments common in scope to the subject matter of the original claims. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather to provide merely a brief summary of some disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the disclosure may include a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a resistance control system for an entertainment attraction that includes a support assembly having a base, a pivot joint, and a support beam extending between the base and the pivot joint. The resistance control system includes a spring plate coupled to the pivot joint of the support assembly and at least one spring engaging the spring plate. The resistance control system also includes an actuator plate disposed between the spring plate and the base of the support assembly, and at least one actuator coupled between the actuator plate and the base. The at least one actuator is configured to move and fix the actuator plate relative to the pivot joint to adjust resistance to movement about the pivot joint.

[0006] The present embodiment relates to a method of controlling a ride vehicle of an entertainment attraction, the method including receiving an input indicative of a weight of a passenger of the ride vehicle via a vehicle controller of the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle includes a base, a support beam coupled to the base, and a spring plate pivotally coupled to the support beam for supporting the passenger during a ride on the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle includes an actuator plate selectively disposed between the spring plate and the base via at least one actuator and at least one spring engaged with the spring plate. The at least one spring is configured to selectively contract relative to the actuator plate based on a movement of the passenger. The method includes querying a resistance setting database via the vehicle controller to retrieve a target actuator length for the at least one actuator corresponding to the passenger's weight. The method also includes controlling, via the vehicle controller, the at least one actuator to make adjustments based on the target actuator length over at least a portion of a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction. The method also includes controlling, via the vehicle controller, the at least one actuator to make adjustments based on a default actuator length in response to determining that the ride cycle is completed.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a resistance control system for an entertainment attraction that includes a spring plate including a seat configured to accommodate a passenger and a plurality of spring rows engaging the spring plate, each spring row of the plurality of spring rows being passively height adjustable based on a passenger's weight, and a plurality of locking devices configured to selectively secure the plurality of spring rows at an adjusted height during a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an entertainment attraction having a resistance control system and stationary ride vehicles that enhance the experience of passengers wearing virtual reality (VR) equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process that enables a resistance control system to adjust the weight resistance of the stationary ride vehicle of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the stationary ride vehicle embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a side perspective view of the stationary ride vehicle embodiment of FIG. 3 in a tilted orientation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a stationary ride vehicle having a compound spring, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a composite spring train of the stationary ride vehicle of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In order to describe these embodiments concisely, not all features of the implementations may be described herein. It should be understood that the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, requires numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made to achieve the developer's particular objectives, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. Moreover, it should be understood that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but would be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0011] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean the presence of one or more of the element. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. It should also be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also contain the recited features.

[0012] The present embodiment relates to a resistance control system for an entertainment attraction, such as an attraction where passengers wear a virtual reality (VR) device of a VR system. Typically, passengers provide input to the VR system of the stationary attraction by leaning or shifting their weight against a ride vehicle located below them. The ride vehicle includes supports that tension or engage to appropriately resist this motion to simulate a virtual experience, such as horse riding or parachuting passenger control, provided through the VR device. As described herein, the resistance control system allows for selective adjustment of the ride vehicle's resistance to motion, thus providing a similar experience for people of different weights and allowing a wide range of passenger weights to be accommodated on the stationary attraction.

[0013] The ride vehicle of the resistance control system generally includes a passenger accommodation, such as a chair or seat, coupled to a spring plate. In some embodiments, the spring plate is supported by a structural joint (e.g., a universal joint) that allows the passenger to pitch and roll the spring plate with his or her body weight. In particular, springs engage the spring plate or are coupled to a surface of the spring plate to selectively contact an actuator plate disposed below the spring plate. The actuator plate is disposed perpendicular to the spring plate via an actuator, thus allowing the springs of the spring plate to contract and provide stability during the pitch and roll movements of the spring plate. The actuator can move the actuator plate up and down, respectively, to increase or decrease the resistance of the resistance control system to the passenger's movements. Thus, the resistance control system can measure the passenger's body weight during a normal ride cycle and command the actuator to change the tension of the spring to a predetermined setting or effective spring constant corresponding to the body weight. In other embodiments, a compound spring or conical spring coupled to a spring plate can be passively compressed by the passenger to a target height and secured with a ratchet device, thereby providing a targeted resistance to the passenger's movement. In any case, as a semi-passive system, the resistance control system can be less expensive and technically simpler than a fully active system while providing an improved experience for guests of all weights compared to a fully passive system.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the entertainment attraction 10 includes a resistance control system 12 having a vehicle controller 14 (e.g., a controller) and a ride vehicle 16 (e.g., a motion simulator). In this embodiment of the entertainment attraction 10, the ride vehicle 16 is shown having a seat 20 from which a passenger 22 can operate the ride vehicle 16 and receive a virtual experience supported by a VR device 24 (e.g., a VR headset, a wearable visualization device) having a VR controller 26. In other embodiments, the VR device 24 is not included and additional excitement is added by the resistance control system 12 without VR effects. It should be understood that the ride vehicle 16 can take any suitable form including a sled, a motorcycle, an animal, a surfboard, a skateboard, and the like. Although the resistance control system 12 is described herein with reference to a single passenger 22, it should be understood that similar techniques can be applied to adapt the resistance control system 12 to a multi-passenger ride vehicle.

[0015] In this embodiment, the seat 20 is coupled to an upper surface 30 of a spring plate 32 of the ride vehicle 16, and the springs 34 engage or are coupled to a lower surface 36 of the spring plate 32. It is noted that in other embodiments, the spring plate 32 is a frame or framework and not a solid plate. In this embodiment, the ride vehicle 16 includes a base 40 coupled to a support beam 42 via struts 44. The support beam 42 is coupled to the bottom surface 36 of the spring plate 32 via a pivot joint 46. The pivot joint 46 in this embodiment allows the spring plate 32 to rotate relative to the base 40 via roll 50 and pitch 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 40 is generally fixed relative to the ground 54. However, in other embodiments, the base 40 may be part of a larger vehicle that follows a path (e.g., a track). In some embodiments, the pivot joint 46 may be a spherical bearing joint or a universal joint that also allows for rotational movement 56 (e.g., yaw movement) of the leaf 32 about an axis parallel to the vertical axis 72. In other embodiments, the pivot joint 46 may allow for movement along a single axis (e.g., corresponding to a single degree of freedom), which may be suitable for a simplified entertainment attraction 10. For example, the pivot joint 46 may be a gimbal joint or a hinged gimbal expansion joint to provide rotation about a single axis. In any event, the base 40, the support beam 42, and the pivot joint 46 form a support assembly 60 that generally supports the leaf 32 while allowing any suitable pivotal degree of freedom for the leaf 32.

[0016] The VR device 24 worn by the passenger 22 implements VR technology that renders an interactive virtual experience within the passenger's 22 field of view. For example, the VR controller 26 can instruct the display of the VR device 24 to generate a set of target virtual images corresponding to the interactive virtual experience via the processor 62 and memory 64. In some embodiments, the VR technology also includes augmented reality technology. As shown, the VR controller 26 of the VR device 24 is communicatively coupled to the vehicle controller 14 via a wireless communication component 66. In other embodiments, the VR controller 26 can be communicatively coupled to the vehicle controller 14 via any suitable component that forms a communication connection, such as a wired connection, a BLUETOOTH connection, and a Wi-Fi connection. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the virtual experience provided through the VR device 24 can be selected to correspond to the physical appearance of the ride vehicle 16 and / or the theme of the entertainment attraction 10. For example, in an embodiment in which the theme of the entertainment attraction 10 is a jungle, the seats 20 of the ride vehicle 16 can be designed as animals and the virtual experience can be displayed to the passenger 22 as a race through the jungle. Such a cohesive design of the entertainment attraction 10 components can provide a consistent, immersive experience for passengers 22. In other embodiments, the VR devices 24 can be replaced with augmented reality devices. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the resistance control system 12 can be implemented in any suitable environment where a semi-passive resistance control framework enhances the user experience (e.g., an interactive theater or a motion-based ride).

[0017] Looking in more detail at the resistance adjustment function of the resistance control system 12, the ride vehicle 16 includes an actuator plate 70 disposed between the spring plate 32 and the base 40 with respect to a vertical axis 72. The actuator plate 70 can be a framework similar to the spring plate 32 and does not necessarily include a solid plate. In this embodiment, an actuator 74 is coupled between the actuator plate 70 and the base 40 to adjust the position of the actuator plate 70 based on commands from the vehicle controller 14. In other words, the actuator 74 is commanded to contract or extend to any suitable actuator length between a fully contracted length and a fully extended length to position the actuator plate 70 at a particular separation distance 76 from the spring plate 32. The actuator 74 can be any suitable component that facilitates movement of the actuator plate 70, including an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a magnetic actuator, a mechanical actuator, and / or a servo motor, etc. It should be understood that in this embodiment, the actuator plate 70 is not directly coupled to the spring plate 32.

[0018] As described above, the springs 34 are coupled to the bottom surface 36 of the spring plate 32 and can selectively contract relative to and contact the actuator plate 70 in response to the movement of the passenger 22. For example, as the passenger 22 leans against the support beam 42, the pivot joint 46 can tilt the spring plate 32 in response, thereby placing a corresponding portion of the springs 34 in contact (e.g., engagement) with the top surface 80 of the actuator plate 70. The portion of the springs 34 in contact with the top surface 80 contracts in response to continued weight transfer or engagement, providing a resistive force that slows and ultimately stops the movement of the spring plate 32. As recognized herein, by adjusting the separation distance 76 between the spring plate 32 and the actuator plate 70, the resistance control system 12 can effectively tune the ride vehicle 16 to provide the passenger 22 with a sensation of neutral buoyancy suitable for any one of a number of VR experiences provided by the VR device 24.

[0019] Further, while two springs 34 and two actuators 74 are shown for simplicity, it should be understood that these are representative of any number of such features. According to the present embodiment, any suitable number of springs 34 and actuators 74, including one spring 34 and / or one actuator 74, may be included in the ride vehicle 16. For example, in an embodiment having a single actuator 74, the single actuator 74 may include any suitable four-bar linkage, scissor linkage, guide rail and wheel combination, or other suitable linkage that allows the single actuator 74 to adjust the position of the actuator plate 70 in one or more dimensions in accordance with the present technique. Additionally, in an embodiment having a single spring 34, the single spring 34 may be positioned in a central location that corresponds to the expected center of mass of the occupant 22. It should also be understood that spring 34, shown in this embodiment as a mechanical, helical, or coil spring, may in some embodiments include or represent any suitable resistance device, such as a gas spring, air spring, elastomer, leaf spring, rigid air bladder, conical spring washer (e.g., Belleville washer), gas strut, or magnetic repulsion assembly, or any combination thereof. That is, any suitable device that applies a variable force as a function of a dimension of the suitable device is presently contemplated as a suitable component of resistance control system 12.

[0020] Also, while the springs 34 of the leaf 32 are shown as separate from the actuator plate 70, in other embodiments the springs 34 may be coupled between the leaf 32 and the base 40 to provide a normalizing bias to the leaf 32. Additionally, while described herein with reference to the springs 34 coupled to the leaf 32, it should be understood that the springs 34 may be coupled to any suitable location on the ride vehicle 16 that allows for selective engagement of the springs 34, including locations where the springs 34 engage any suitable surface of the actuator plate 70 via cantilever action or any other suitable force-distributing components. That is, the preferred location may be any suitable location where the springs 34 engage in response to tilting of the leaf 32 beyond a threshold angle. In some of these embodiments, one or both ends of the springs 34 may be coupled to the support beams 42 to selectively compress between the leaf 32 and the actuator plate 70. In other embodiments, the springs 34 may instead be coupled to the top surface 80 of the actuator plate 70.

[0021] As shown, the resistance control system 12 also includes sensors 90 for collecting suitable information regarding the ride vehicle 16 and / or the passenger 22 on the ride vehicle 16. For example, currently, the sensors 90 include an inclinometer 92 coupled to the spring plate 32 to sense the angle and tilt direction or position of the spring plate 32. In some embodiments, the inclinometer 92 senses the tilt of the spring plate 32 to thousandths of a degree. In other embodiments, an accelerometer, position sensor, or the like may additionally or alternatively be coupled to the ride vehicle 16. Additionally, the sensors 90 of the resistance control system 12 include a weight sensor 94 for sensing data indicative of the weight of the passenger 22 and transmitting the data to the vehicle controller 14. In this embodiment, the weight sensor 94 is shown directly coupled to the support beam 42 such that the weight sensor 94 can sense the entire weight or force from the passenger 22 directed through the support beam 42. In other embodiments, the weight sensor 94 may be located anywhere between the passenger 22 and the base 40 of the ride vehicle 16, such as between the seat 20 and the spring plate 32. In other embodiments, the weight sensor 94 may be omitted and the ride vehicle 16 may include a user input device that allows the passenger 22 to provide input indicative of their weight, user profile, and / or desired resistance setting.

[0022] Turning now to the vehicle controller 14, the vehicle controller 14 is generally responsible for controlling the ride vehicle 16 to provide a target distance between the spring plate 32 and the actuator plate 70, as well as for matching the passenger experience (e.g., the physical movement of the vehicle 16) with the VR experience provided through the VR equipment 24, which may present different and / or additional effects (e.g., a flat screen display and an audio system). The vehicle controller 14 may communicate (e.g., form a wired or wireless network) with other components of the entertainment attraction 10 and / or resistance control system 12 via any suitable respective communication circuitry. In this embodiment, the vehicle controller 14 is communicatively coupled to the VR controller 26, actuator 74, inclinometer 92, and weight sensor 94 of the VR equipment 24. In some embodiments, the vehicle controller 14 may be included in the housing or chassis of the ride vehicle 16. In other embodiments, the vehicle controller 14 may be remote from the ride vehicle 16 to coordinate the operation of multiple ride vehicles 16.

[0023] The vehicle controller 14 in the illustrated embodiment includes a processor 100 that provides instructions to the ride vehicles 16 through their respective communication circuits 66, a memory 102 (e.g., one or more memories) that stores instructions for the processor 100, and a resistance setting database 104. However, it should be understood that any component may be suitably stored in any suitable location, such as in a cloud database, and updated therefrom. The processor 100 is any suitable processor capable of executing instructions to perform the presently disclosed techniques, such as a general purpose processor, a system on a chip (SoC) device, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other similar processor configuration. In some embodiments, these instructions are encoded in a program or code stored in a tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium, such as the memory 102 and / or other storage circuits or storage devices.

[0024] As will be appreciated, the resistance setting database 104 is a store of data having resistance settings correlating a sensed passenger 22 weight to a target actuator length (e.g., a target length, a length within a threshold range). Thus, the resistance setting database 104 allows the vehicle controller 14 to appropriately move the actuator plate 70 to tension the springs 34 of the ride vehicle 16 for a wide range of passenger weights. In general, the resistance control system 12 commands the actuator 74 to provide low resistance for lighter passengers 22 and high resistance for heavier passengers 22. In some embodiments, the resistance setting database 104 correlates the target actuator length to a signal indicative of the passenger 22 weight, such as the raw output in volts of the weight sensor 94. Such a correlation may improve privacy and / or reduce computational latency of the resistance control system 12 as compared to embodiments that convert the raw output to a value in weight units. The resistance setting database 104 may include target actuator lengths over any suitable range of raw power and / or weight above a customizable lower weight limit, for example, in 1 pound increments, 5 pound increments, 10 pound increments, 50 pound increments, etc.

[0025] In some embodiments, the resistance setting database 104 includes individual target actuator lengths corresponding to each virtual experience, each passenger age, each passenger profile, etc. For example, in embodiments where the virtual experience provided via the VR equipment 24 is a detail-oriented or challenging experience, the resistance control system 12 may implement a relatively high resistance setting (e.g., 10% more tension) to provide more motion sensitivity to the ride vehicle 16. Additionally, in embodiments where the resistance control system 12 determines that the passenger profile of the passenger 22 indicates a preference for a relaxed experience (e.g., relaxed VR gameplay), the resistance control system 12 may implement a relatively low resistance setting and instruct the VR equipment 24 to provide a simplified virtual experience commensurate with the relatively low resistance setting. In some embodiments, the resistance control system 12 can also adjust the resistance of the ride vehicle 16 over the duration of a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction 10, such as by increasing resistance in response to determining that the ride cycle is approaching the end, that the passenger 22 is entering a particular area of ​​the simulated environment supported by the VR equipment 24, that the passenger 22 has performed a particular task within the simulated environment, and / or that the passenger 22 has provided user input indicating a request for resistance adjustment.

[0026] In light of the above features of the resistance control system 12, further description is provided herein regarding the operation of the resistance control system 12 to adjust the weight resistance of the ride vehicle 16 to enhance passenger satisfaction on the ride vehicle 16. For example, FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process 120 that enables the resistance control system 12 to control the ride vehicle 16 through a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction 10. The steps illustrated in the process 120 are for ease of explanation and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as additional steps may be performed, some steps may be omitted, and the illustrated steps may be performed in a different order or in parallel, where appropriate. The process 120 may represent start code or instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 102) and executed by, for example, the processor 100 of the vehicle controller 14 of the resistance control system 12. The processor 100 may be communicatively coupled via a network, such as a wireless network, to transmit and receive instructions and signals as described below.

[0027] In the currently illustrated embodiment, the vehicle controller 14 executing the process 120 initiates a ride cycle (block 122) by receiving an input indicative of the weight of the passenger 22 (block 124). For example, the vehicle controller 14 may receive a signal from the weight sensor 94 after the passenger 22 boards the ride vehicle 16. In some embodiments, the weight sensor 94 may continuously transmit signals, and the vehicle controller 14 may identify one of these signals as indicative of the weight of the passenger 22 in response to the signal being constant (e.g., within 1%, within 5%) for a threshold period of time. Such an embodiment may prompt security within the entertainment attraction 10 by providing a baseline weight value for the passenger 22 to the vehicle controller 14. Thus, the vehicle controller 14 may provide an alert to an operator of the entertainment attraction 10 and / or stop the ride vehicle 16 in response to detecting a weight value that is outside a predetermined threshold from the baseline weight value (e.g., indicating an item has been dropped, a departure is too early). In other embodiments, in response to the passenger 22 inputting his / her weight or a demand resistance setting into the user interface, the vehicle controller 14 may receive user input from the user interface and store the user input as an input indicative of the passenger 22's weight. In some embodiments, the vehicle controller 14 converts the input indicative of the passenger's weight into a weight value. Thus, although described herein as passenger weight for simplicity, it should be understood that in some embodiments the vehicle controller 14 may instead perform the following steps of process 120 on other information, including the raw output in volts of the weight sensor 94.

[0028] Continuing with the process 120, the vehicle controller 14 queries the resistance setting database 104 to retrieve a target actuator length corresponding to the passenger weight (block 126). As described above, the resistance setting database 104 includes entries that associate the respective lengths of the actuators 74 with various passenger weights. The vehicle controller 14 then utilizes the passenger weight to identify a suitable actuator length for the actuators 74 that provides an appropriate resistance to the movement of the passenger 22 having the particular passenger weight. In general, the target actuator length will be longer (e.g., corresponding to a smaller separation distance 76) for a heavier passenger weight than for a lighter passenger weight such that the heavier passenger weight increases the resistance to movement of the ride vehicle 16. Once the appropriate target actuator length is identified, the vehicle controller 14 controls, manipulates, or commands the actuators 74 to extend or retract until the target actuator length is reached, thus positioning the actuator plate 70 at the particular separation distance 76 from the spring plate 32 (block 130). In other embodiments, the resistance setting database 104 may include entries associating respective positions of the actuator plate 70 with various passenger weights, and the resistance control system 12 may control the weight resistance of the ride vehicle 16 by moving the actuator plate 70 to a target actuator plate position that corresponds to the target separation distance 76 from the spring plate 32.

[0029] Once the tension of the ride vehicle 16 has been calibrated to the passenger weight, the vehicle controller 14 provides the passenger 22 with a ride experience through the ride vehicle 16 that corresponds to the virtual experience provided through the VR device 24 (block 132). For example, the VR controller 26 of the VR device 24 can instruct the processor 62 to generate a particular virtual image to be displayed to the passenger 22. The passenger 22 typically provides user input to the vehicle controller 14 by shifting his or her weight relative to the ride vehicle 16 (e.g., via the inclinometer 92), which the vehicle controller 14 communicates to the VR controller 26. The VR controller 26 thus adjusts the virtual image displayed to the passenger 22 to display a target virtual image set that corresponds to the received user input. For example, the spring plate 32 can pitch 52 a particular amount (e.g., inches) based on the resistance of the ride vehicle 16 in response to the passenger 22 leaning to the left. The inclinometer 92 senses the movement of the spring plate 32 and sends a signal indicative of the movement to the vehicle controller 14. Thus, the vehicle controller 14 can instruct the VR controller 26 to adjust the virtual imagery provided through the VR equipment 24 to display a corresponding virtual pitch 52 movement. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the VR controller 26 is embedded or stored within the vehicle controller 14. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the entertainment attraction 10 can include features other than or in addition to the VR equipment 24, such as a projection screen that receives user input as feedback to enhance the passenger's enjoyment. In further embodiments, such as when the ride vehicle 16 travels along a track, the VR equipment 24 and VR controller 26 are omitted.

[0030] In addition to instructing the VR device 24 to respond to movements of the ride vehicle 16, the resistance control system 12 enables the ride vehicle 16 to respond to commands from the VR controller 26. For example, the vehicle controller 14 executing the process 120 determines whether a haptic feedback request has been received from the VR controller 26 (block 134). Continuing with the example above, the VR controller 26 may, in response to the passenger 22 maneuvering the ride vehicle 16 to cause the virtual representation of the ride vehicle 16 to contact a boundary (e.g., a fence, a cloud, an obstacle), request the vehicle controller 14 to vibrate or otherwise manipulate the ride vehicle 16 to indicate the contact. It should be understood that the vehicle controller 14 may receive any single or multiple haptic feedback requests from the VR controller 26, including sequential requests and / or preprogrammed requests.

[0031] In response to receiving the haptic feedback request, the vehicle controller 14 commands the actuators 74 to manipulate the actuator plate 70 to correspond to the VR experience of the VR device 24 (block 136). In some embodiments, the actuators 74 can extend to position the actuator plate 70 in contact with the springs 34 of the spring plate 32 and / or move the spring plate 32 to provide haptic feedback to the passenger 22. The vehicle controller 14 can command the actuators 74 to adjust their lengths individually or in sync with each other. For example, the actuators 74 can be commanded to further pull one area (e.g., quadrant, side) of the ride vehicle 16 to prevent the passenger 22 from steering the ride vehicle 16 in a direction corresponding to the one area. In other embodiments, the actuators 74 can be commanded to move the entire actuator plate 70 up and down in sequence or randomly to provide a floating experience to the passenger 22. After the vehicle controller 14 fulfills the haptic feedback request, the actuators 74 can be commanded to move to the target actuator length again (block 130).

[0032] Alternatively, the vehicle controller 14 may determine whether the current ride cycle of the entertainment attraction 10 is complete (block 140) in response to determining that the haptic feedback request is not satisfied or unresolved. The vehicle controller 14 may reference a clock, the VR controller 26, or any other suitable component to make the determination of block 140. In response to determining that the ride cycle is not complete, the vehicle controller 14 performing the illustrated embodiment of the process 120 returns to block 134 to continue determining whether a haptic feedback request has been received. Meanwhile, in response to determining that the ride cycle is complete, the vehicle controller 14 commands the actuator 74 to return to a default length (block 142), thereby terminating the process 120 (block 144). The default length may correspond to a relaxed state of the actuator 74, a most common length suitable for the majority of passengers 22, a length that facilitates disembarkation from the ride vehicle 16 (e.g., tilting the spring plate 32 toward the exit of the entertainment attraction 10), and the like. Thus, the resistance control system 12 with the vehicle controller 14 effectively enhances the passenger experience within the entertainment attraction 10 by semi-passively tuning the weight resistance of the ride vehicle 16 to each particular passenger weight. Additionally, the resistance control system 12 disclosed herein provides dynamic haptic feedback to the passengers 22 corresponding to the virtual images provided through the VR device 24 to further create a dynamic and enjoyable passenger experience.

[0033] With the above understanding of the operation of the resistance control system 12 in mind, further description is provided herein regarding example embodiments of ride vehicles 16 controlled by the resistance control system 12. For example, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a ride vehicle 16 having a spring plate 32 disposed horizontally (e.g., aligned with a horizontal axis 160). As discussed above, the ride vehicle 16 includes an actuator plate 70, a spring plate 32, and a support assembly 60 having a base plate, a support beam 42, and a pivot joint 46. The ride vehicle 16 is stationary, such that the base 40 is disposed in contact with the ground 54. In other embodiments, the resistance control system 12 may be utilized on a movable motion base, and the ground 54 may represent a larger vehicle to which the ride vehicle 16 is coupled.

[0034] The ride vehicle 16 also includes six springs 34, shown in this embodiment as conical mechanical springs. Conical mechanical springs generally have a variable length or non-linear spring constant such that initial compression of the springs against the actuator plate 70 develops with less force than further compression of the springs 34. In this embodiment, the springs 34 are equally spaced from one another in a hexagonal or circular configuration centered on the pivot joint 46. However, it should be understood that any other suitable type, configuration and quantity of springs 34 that selectively compress and / or contact the actuator plate 70 may also be employed within the ride vehicle 16. For example, in some embodiments, the conical springs may be replaced with cylindrical helical springs (e.g., compound springs) having progressive spring constants coupled in series with one another. Alternatively, the ride vehicle 16 may include a single spring 34 suitably positioned within the ride vehicle 16 such that the presently disclosed features may dynamically adjust the weight resistance of the ride vehicle 16.

[0035] The resistance control system 12 also includes moderating features that further enhance the passenger experience on the ride vehicle 16. For example, the ride vehicle 16 of this embodiment includes speed limiters 170 (e.g., gas springs) that control the movement of the spring leaves 32. The speed limiters 170 are each coupled between the spring leaves 32 and peripheral support beams 172 that are disposed below an outer edge 174 of the spring leaves 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the speed limiters 170 include spherical rolling bearings 176 that provide three-axis rotational degrees of freedom, although any other suitable connection components that provide the same or more limited rotational motion may be employed. The speed limiter 170 includes a piston 180 and a rod 182 that moves relative to the piston 180 to dampen the movement of the ride vehicle 16. It is noted that in some embodiments, this dampened movement correlates to movement of a seat or portion of the ride vehicle within the ride vehicle, the ride vehicle that is effectively a seat, or both the ride vehicle and the seat of the ride vehicle.

[0036] 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a stationary ride vehicle 16 having spring plates 32 in an inclined orientation. As shown, the spring plates 32 are disposed at an inclined angle 200 relative to the actuator plate 70 due to the weight shift of a passenger 22 that may ride on the spring plates 32. The ride vehicle 16 also includes a bumper 202 (e.g., a rubber bumper, stopper) disposed on a peripheral support beam 172 disposed below the spring plate 32. The bumper 202 generally allows free rotation of the spring plate up to a threshold inclination angle where the bottom surface 36 of the spring plate 32 contacts the bumper 202. The bumper 202 may include a contact sensor that provides a signal to the vehicle controller 14 indicating whether the spring plate 32 is contacting the respective bumper 202. In some embodiments, the ride vehicle 16 may include six bumpers 202 and six peripheral support beams 172. In such a case, every other peripheral support beam 172 may be indirectly coupled to the spring leaf 32 via one of the velocity limiters 170 described above.

[0037] The actuator 74 shown in this embodiment is coupled between the actuator plate 70 and the base 40. The actuator 74 can thus move the actuator plate 70 along the vertical axis 72, such as by increasing or decreasing a separation distance 76 between the actuator plate 70 and the spring plate 32 (e.g., at a horizontal position corresponding to the pivot joint 46 or the fulcrum of the spring plate 32) to adjust the effective spring constant of the spring 34. The ride vehicle 16 can include three actuators 74 equally spaced apart in a triangular configuration, although it should be understood that additional actuators 74 can be included and equally spaced apart in any suitable polygonal shape. Additionally, the speed limiter 170 described above is arranged in a triangular configuration that is a mirror image of the triangular configuration of the actuator 74, thereby distributing the forces of the speed limiter 170 and the actuator 74 evenly around the ride vehicle 16. In other embodiments, such as those in which the ride vehicle 16 is movable, the forces of the speed limiter 170 and the actuator 74 can be evenly distributed around the seat of the ride vehicle 16.

[0038] 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the resistance control system 12 for controlling the ride vehicles 16 in the entertainment attraction 10. The ride vehicle 16 includes a spring plate 32 and a seat 20 or other passenger accommodation coupled to an upper surface 30 of the spring plate 32. From the seat 20, a passenger 22 can steer the ride vehicle 16 with his or her own weight. Among other things, the ride vehicle 16 includes spring columns 250 coupled to a bottom surface 36 of the spring plate 32 for selectively adjusting the resistance of the ride vehicle 16 based on the weight of the passenger 22. Each spring column 250 includes a height adjustable spring assembly 252 that is passively (e.g., naturally) compressed by the weight of the passenger 22 to a target height 260.

[0039] In this embodiment, each height adjustable spring assembly 252 includes three spring regions 262: a high compression region 264, a medium compression region 266, and a low compression region 268. As used herein, each spring region 262 is defined as any suitable component that provides a respective spring constant. Thus, the low compression region 268 has a greater spring constant than either the medium compression region 266 or the high compression region 264, indicating that more force is utilized to compress the low compression region 268 (e.g., as approximated by Hooke's Law). In this embodiment, the compressibility of each spring region 262 is effected by selecting a target wire thickness for the spring region 262, although any other suitable characteristics of the spring region 262 (e.g., material, coating, treatment, size) may also be varied.

[0040] For example, the high compression region 264 can be designed to operate for passengers having a first weight range (e.g., 0-50 pounds) above which they are fully compressed and substantially rigid. The other spring regions 266, 268 can operate as negligibly compressed and substantially rigid for passengers having weights within the first weight range. The medium compression region 266 can be designed to operate for a second weight range (e.g., 51-150 pounds) that is higher than the first weight range. Thus, for passengers having weights within the second weight range, the medium compression region 266 is actively compressible while the high compression region 264 is fully compressed and the low compression region 268 is substantially rigid. Similarly, the low compression region 268 can be designed to operate in supporting passengers having weights within a third weight range (e.g., 151-300 pounds) above which the other spring regions 264, 266 are fully compressed. Thus, the height adjustable spring assembly 252 of the ride vehicle 16 passively contracts after the passenger 22 enters the ride vehicle 16 to match the weight resistance of the ride vehicle 16 to the weight of the passenger 22 .

[0041] Presently, the spring regions 262 include cylindrical helical coil springs coupled in series with one another between the spring leaf 32 and a respective base plate 272. In other embodiments, each spring array 250 may include a single conical spring providing a continuously varying spring area along the height of the spring array 250, or other suitable variable resistance components as discussed above (e.g., gas springs, magnetic repulsion assemblies). Although four spring arrays 250 are shown, each having three spring regions 262, it should be understood that any suitable number of spring arrays 250 having any suitable number of spring regions 262 may be implemented within the ride vehicle 16, including a single spring array 250 disposed below the center point 274 of the spring leaf 32. In accordance with this disclosure, reference to a spring element may include any feature capable of providing a resistive spring force, such as a metal spring, a plastic spring, a leaf spring, a conical or cylindrical coil, a gas spring, a magnetic repulsion assembly, etc.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, each spring train 250 includes a linkage 280 (e.g., cable, rope, chain) coupled between a respective base plate 272 and spring plate 32 to limit lateral movement of the spring train 250. While the linkage 280 is shown disposed within the height adjustable spring assembly 252, it should be understood that the linkage 280 may be disposed elsewhere within the spring train 250. As described in further detail below, in some embodiments, the linkage 280 facilitates locking the spring train 250 at the target height 260. In other embodiments, the ride vehicle 16 may operate without locking the spring train 250, thereby allowing for a simpler construction and operation of the entertainment attraction 10.

[0043] 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a resistance control system 12 including the vehicle controller 14 and VR controller 26 described above. While this description focuses on the operation of a single spring train 250 of the ride vehicle 16, it should be understood that each spring train 250 may operate similarly. The illustrated embodiment of the spring train 250 includes a locking device 300 that selectively locks the spring train 250 at the target height 260 based on the weight of the passenger 22. For example, the locking device 300 may be a ratchet device that receives a ribbed extension 302 coupled to a distal end 304 of the body 306 of the linkage 280. In such an embodiment, the base plate 272 may include an opening that allows for coupling and positioning of the body 306 of the linkage 280 on the opposite side of the base plate 272 from the ribbed extension 302. In such an embodiment, the weight of the passenger 22 may passively compress the height adjustable spring assembly 252 to the target height 260, moving the spring plate 32 closer to the base plate 272 and forcing the ribbed extension 302 down to the target position relative to the locking device 300. It should be understood that any other suitable locking device may also be implemented within the ride vehicle 16, such as a reel and spool that secures the linkage 280, a caliper brake, a locking gas spring, a magnetic retention system, a locking rack and / or pinion, etc.

[0044] In embodiments having the locking device 300, the vehicle controller 14 is communicatively coupled to the locking device 300 to control its operation. For example, a ratchet-type locking device 300 embodiment may passively hold the spring train 250 at the target height 260 in response to a force exerted by a passenger's weight. In other embodiments having an active locking device, the vehicle controller 14 may instruct the locking device 300 to secure the spring train 250 in response to determining that a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction 10 has begun. In either case, the vehicle controller 14 may instruct the locking device 300 to release the ribbed extension 302 or other suitable component of the spring train 250 to return the spring train 250 to a default height (e.g., an uncompressed height) in response to determining that the ride cycle has been completed.

[0045] The illustrated embodiment of the resistance control system 12 also includes an inclinometer 92 coupled to the spring plate that provides feedback to the VR controller 26 to enable the VR controller 26 to align the virtual experience of the VR device 24 with the current position of the ride vehicle 16. As noted above, the ride vehicle 16 may additionally or alternatively be coupled to any other suitable sensors 90 that facilitate operation of the entertainment attraction 10. Notably, the resistance control system 12 of Figures 5 and 6 provides a simpler embodiment of the ride vehicle 16 by not including a weight sensor 94, while allowing for semi-passive control of the weight resistance of the ride vehicle 16 to improve the passenger experience.

[0046] Thus, the technical effect of the disclosed resistance control system includes enabling selective adjustment of the tension or weight resistance of the ride vehicle. Thus, the ride vehicle can accommodate a wide range of passenger weights experiencing the stationary attraction via the VR device. Typically, passengers provide input to the VR system of the stationary attraction by tilting or shifting their weight relative to the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle is tensioned to appropriately resist this movement to simulate the virtual experience provided through the VR device. In some embodiments, the spring plate of the ride vehicle is supported by a pivot joint that allows passengers to manipulate the spring plate with their own weight. The ride vehicle includes at least one spring coupled to a surface of the spring plate that selectively contracts against an actuator plate disposed below the spring plate. The actuator plate is disposed perpendicular to the spring plate via at least one actuator that can move the actuator plate up and down to respectively increase or decrease the resistance of the resistance control system to the passenger's movement. Thus, during a normal ride cycle, the resistance control system can measure the passenger's weight and command the actuator to tension the spring to a predetermined setting corresponding to the weight. In other embodiments, compound or conical springs arranged in an array and coupled to a spring plate may be passively compressed by the passenger to a target height, thereby providing a targeted resistance to the passenger's movement. In some embodiments, the springs may be locked at the target height via any suitable locking device. In any case, as a semi-passive system, the resistance control system provides an improved experience for guests across a wider weight range than a fully passive system, while being less complex than a fully active system.

[0047] Although only certain features of the disclosure 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 that comply with the true spirit of the disclosure. It is to be understood that any of the features illustrated or described with respect to the above figures may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0048] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and applies to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that positively improve the art and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Moreover, if any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," such elements are to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). On the other hand, for any claim containing an element designated in any other manner, such elements are not to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10. Recreational Attractions 12 Resistance Control System 14 Vehicle Controller 16 Vehicles 20 sheets 22 passengers 24 VR equipment 26 VR Controllers 30 Top surface of spring plate 32 Spring plate 34 Spring 36 Underside of spring plate 40 Base 42 Support beam 44 Braces 46 Pivot joint 50 Horizontal Sway 52 Vertical Shaking 54 Ground 56 Rotational Motion 60 Support Assembly 62 processors 64 Memory 66 Wireless Communication Components 70 Actuator Plate 72 Vertical axis 74 Actuator 76 separation distance 80 Top surface of actuator plate 90 Sensors 92 Inclinometer 94 Weight Sensor 100 processors 102 Memory 104 Resistor Setting Database

Claims

1. 1. A resistance control system for an entertainment attraction, comprising: a support assembly including a base, a pivot joint, and a support beam extending between the base and the pivot joint; a spring plate coupled to the pivot joint of the support assembly; at least one spring engaging the spring leaf; an actuator plate disposed between the spring plate and the base of the support assembly; at least one actuator coupled between the actuator plate and the base; the at least one actuator is configured to move and fix the actuator plate relative to the pivot joint to adjust resistance to movement about the pivot joint. A resistance control system comprising:

2. a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator and configured to extend or retract the at least one actuator to a target length based on a weight of a passenger. The resistance control system of claim 1 .

3. the controller is configured to reset the at least one actuator from the target length to a default length in response to determining that a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction is completed. The resistance control system of claim 2 .

4. a weight sensor coupled to the support assembly, the weight sensor configured to transmit a signal to the controller indicative of the weight of the passenger. The resistance control system of claim 2 .

5. The controller includes a memory that stores a resistance setting database, the controller further comprising: Querying the resistance setting database to determine the target length of the at least one actuator; activating the at least one actuator to extend or retract to reach the target length; and causing the at least one actuator to move the actuator plate based on the weight of the passenger. The resistance control system of claim 4.

6. a VR device including a VR controller communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator, the VR controller configured to cause the at least one actuator to move the actuator plate to correspond to a virtual environment that the VR device presents to a passenger; The resistance control system of claim 1 .

7. a VR device; a VR controller configured to operate the VR device; and a vehicle controller communicatively coupled to both the at least one actuator and the VR controller, the vehicle controller configured to control the at least one actuator to correspond to a simulated environment presented to a passenger by the VR device based on communication between the vehicle controller and the VR controller. The resistance control system of claim 1 .

8. a position sensor coupled to the spring plate and communicatively coupled to the vehicle controller or the VR controller, the position sensor configured to transmit a signal indicative of the position of the spring plate to the vehicle controller or the VR controller to facilitate generation of a set of target virtual images by the VR device. The resistance control system of claim 7.

9. The position sensor is an inclinometer or an accelerometer. The resistance control system of claim 8.

10. the at least one spring includes at least six conical springs spaced in a circular configuration along a surface of the spring plate, the at least one actuator includes at least three actuators spaced in a circular configuration between the base and the actuator plate, the pivot joint is configured to permit pivoting about at least one axis, and the spring plate includes a frame having an opening therethrough. The resistance control system of claim 1 .

11. 1. A method of controlling an amusement attraction ride vehicle, comprising: receiving an input indicative of a weight of a passenger of the ride vehicle via a vehicle controller of the ride vehicle, the ride vehicle including a base, a support beam coupled to the base, a spring plate supporting the passenger while riding on the ride vehicle and pivotally coupled to the support beam, an actuator plate selectively positioned between the spring plate and the base via at least one actuator, and at least one spring engaged with the spring plate, the at least one spring configured to selectively contract relative to the actuator plate based on movement of the passenger, the method comprising: interrogating a resistance setting database via the vehicle controller to retrieve a target actuator length for the at least one actuator corresponding to the weight of the passenger; controlling, via the vehicle controller, the at least one actuator to make adjustments based on the target actuator length over at least a portion of a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction; controlling, via the vehicle controller, the at least one actuator to make an adjustment based on a default actuator length in response to determining that the ride cycle is complete; The method further comprising:

12. and controlling the at least one actuator to make an adjustment based on the target actuator length includes adjusting a resistance to movement of the spring plate about the support beam. The method of claim 11.

13. the input indicative of the weight of the passenger is received from a weight sensor disposed between the passenger and the base of the ride vehicle. The method of claim 11.

14. the ride vehicle includes an inclinometer coupled to the spring plate and configured to transmit a position signal of the spring plate to the vehicle controller, the method including adjusting, via the vehicle controller, a virtual reality (VR) environment presented to the passenger through a VR device based on the position signal from the inclinometer. The method of claim 11.

15. receiving a haptic feedback request from a VR controller of the VR device via the vehicle controller; controlling the at least one actuator to sequentially extend, contract, or both to satisfy the haptic feedback requirement by manipulating the actuator plate; 15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

16. 1. A resistance control system for an entertainment attraction, comprising: a spring plate including a seat configured to accommodate a passenger; a plurality of spring rows engaging the spring leaf, each spring row being passively height adjustable based on a weight of the passenger; a plurality of locking devices configured to selectively lock the plurality of spring rows at adjusted heights during a ride cycle of the entertainment attraction; A resistance control system comprising:

17. each spring row of the plurality of spring rows includes a compound mechanical spring including at least two spring regions coupled in series, each spring region of the at least two spring regions including a respective spring constant that permits compression of the respective spring region in response to the weight of the passenger being within a respective target weight range.

17. The resistance control system of claim 16.

18. a vehicle controller configured to command the plurality of locking devices to release the plurality of spring trains.

17. The resistance control system of claim 16.

19. the plurality of locking devices being ratchet devices each configured to secure a respective ribbed end of a rigid or flexible elongated shaft of each spring row of the plurality of spring rows; 17. The resistance control system of claim 16.

20. each spring row of the plurality of spring rows includes a helical spring and a cable extending through the helical spring, and each locking device of the plurality of locking devices is configured to capture the cable and hold the helical spring at an adjusted height; 17. The resistance control system of claim 16.

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