Ferris wheel equipment with a ride car guide structure including a sliding ball joint.

Abstract

To provide a Ferris wheel installation that makes it possible to limit the stresses generated in the region of the interface between the gondolas and the wheel rim of the Ferris wheel.SOLUTION: A Ferris wheel installation (10) has at least one gondola (14) connected to a wheel rim structure (12) via a guide structure (16) including at least one bearing (20). Of at least two opposing raceways of the bearing (20), a first raceway (26) is firmly connected to a gondola (14) and a second raceway (28) is firmly connected to the support body (32). A support body (20) is connected to the wheel rim structure (12) by two sliding ball joints (42), the sliding axis centers (200) of the two sliding ball joints (42) being parallel to and apart from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a Ferris wheel facility including a wheel rim structure rotatable about a horizontal revolution axis, and at least one gondola that rotates with respect to the wheel rim structure about a rotation axis parallel to and separated from the revolution axis of the wheel rim structure, and is connected to the wheel rim structure via a guide structure so as to maintain the posture of the gondola during rotation of the wheel rim in most cases.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes this type of facility in which each gondola is guided to rotate with respect to the wheel rim of the Ferris wheel by a large-diameter bearing surrounding the gondola.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a mounting device for a gondola used in such a facility. The device includes an outer annular body firmly connected to the wheel rim of the Ferris wheel and a rotating inner annular body firmly connected to the gondola. These two annular bodies can rotate relative to each other by a spacer bearing. The outer annular body has three protrusions spaced apart from each other in the angular direction on the same plane to securely support the gondola on the wheel rim.

[0004] For large-scale facilities intended to accommodate a large number of passengers, as described in Patent Document 3 for example, it is possible to rotationally guide the gondola with respect to the wheel rim by two large coaxial bearings separated from each other.

[0005] When such bearings for the ride car are connected to the wheel rim of a Ferris wheel at multiple fixed points, there is a risk that the rotation axis of the ride car may be misaligned with the orbital axis of the wheel rim, or, if the ride car is guided by two bearings, the rotation axes of those two bearings may be misaligned. Such misalignments can cause stress and wear, negatively impacting the lifespan of the equipment. However, attempting to correct such misalignments when installing the ride car onto the wheel rim of a Ferris wheel is time-consuming and requires extreme caution due to the size of the equipment.

[0006] When the installation of a ride car is planned during the renovation of the equipment, the specifications of the existing wheel rims of the Ferris wheel, which may not have caused any problems during the previous period of operation, may not necessarily match the specifications and dimensional tolerances of the ride car, making this difficulty even more apparent.

[0007] Furthermore, even after installation, displacement may occur due to, for example, the deformation of the Ferris wheel rims over time, regardless of whether such deformation is permanent and caused by aging, or whether it is periodic, particularly due to thermal expansion. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] German Patent No. 476892 Specification [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2012 / 140330 [Patent Document 3] French Patent No. 3088014 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Against this backdrop, the objective of the present invention is to propose a technical solution that can suppress the stress generated in the boundary region between the wheel rim and the ride car of a Ferris wheel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This objective is achieved by a Ferris wheel apparatus according to the present invention, comprising a wheel rim structure rotatable about a horizontal orbital axis, and at least one ride car connected to the wheel rim structure via a guide structure including at least one bearing. The guide structure allows the ride car to rotate relative to the wheel rim structure about a rotational axis parallel or substantially parallel to the orbital axis of the wheel rim structure and away from the orbital axis of the wheel rim structure.

[0011] According to the present invention, the bearing is connected to the wheel rim structure by two sliding ball joints, the sliding axes of the two sliding ball joints being parallel to and spaced apart from each other. A sliding ball joint refers to a connection that provides three rotational degrees of freedom and one translational degree of freedom. The sliding ball joints provide the bearing with degrees of freedom in position and orientation within space relative to the wheel rim structure, so that no significant stress is generated at the boundary between the bearing and the wheel rim structure when the vehicle rotates relative to the wheel rim structure.

[0012] In practice, the bearing has at least two opposing raceway surfaces that are relatively guided to rotate around the bearing's axis of rotation, the first of the two raceway surfaces being firmly connected to the cage, and the second of the two raceway surfaces being firmly connected to a support connected to the wheel rim structure by the sliding ball joint. The raceway surfaces may be formed by a bearing raceway ring consisting of one or more parts. In one embodiment, the first of the two raceway surfaces is the outer ring raceway surface of the bearing, and the second of the two raceway surfaces is the inner ring raceway surface of the bearing. The reverse configuration is also possible.

[0013] In fact, there exists a reference position for the guide structure where the rotation axis of the bearing and the sliding axes of the sliding ball joints are parallel. Preferably, the rotation axis of the bearing is equidistant from each sliding axis at the reference position.

[0014] The two ball joints together provide the bearing with a degree of freedom of motion relative to the wheel rim structure. Preferably, ● The bearing is located on the same plane as each sliding axis at the first contact position and can rotate freely around a tilting axis perpendicular to each sliding axis, and / or ● The bearing can rotate freely at the first contact position around a pivot axis that intersects with the rotation axis of the carriage (in actual motion, this is accompanied by translation of each sliding ball joint in opposite axial directions).

[0015] In one embodiment, the guide structure includes a stopper device having a first corresponding stopper firmly connected to the wheel rim structure and at least one first stopper firmly connected to the bearing opposite to the first stopper, wherein the first stopper and the first corresponding stopper contact each other in a first contact area at a first contact position to restrict the translational motion of the bearing relative to the wheel rim structure in a first translational direction parallel to the sliding axis.

[0016] The first stopper allows stress, particularly wind-induced stress, to be released from the passenger car to the wheel rim structure.

[0017] Preferably, the first contact area is located less than 10 cm from the plane containing each sliding axis and / or less than 10 cm from the midline plane between the two sliding axes.

[0018] In one embodiment, the stopper device has a second corresponding stopper firmly connected to the bearing and a second stopper firmly connected to the wheel rim structure, wherein the second stopper and the second corresponding stopper contact each other at a second contact position according to a second contact area to restrict the translational motion of the bearing relative to the wheel rim structure in a second translational direction, which is opposite to the first translational direction and parallel to the sliding axis.

[0019] In one embodiment, the stopper device allows the bearing to translate relative to the wheel rim structure parallel to the rotation axis of the carriage, and has an axial clearance between the first contact position and the second contact position. In an alternative embodiment, the first contact position and the second contact position coincide, and the stopper device prevents the bearing to translate relative to the wheel rim structure parallel to the rotation axis of the carriage.

[0020] In one embodiment, each sliding ball joint has a sliding bearing. In another embodiment, each sliding ball joint has a ball joint bearing, for example, a spherical bearing.

[0021] In one embodiment, the wheel rim structure has two parallel shields, each defining a spacer recess that accommodates a portion of a support firmly connected to the bearing and the two sliding ball joints. Preferably, the two shields are attached to a common plate fixed to the wheel rim of the wheel rim structure. Preferably, the corresponding stopper that restricts the translational motion of the bearing is firmly connected to the common plate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the guide structure includes at least one additional bearing forming a rotation axis, and the additional bearing is firmly connected to the car body and connected to the wheel rim structure (preferably, the sliding axes are parallel to each other and separated from each other, and are connected to the wheel rim structure by two additional sliding ball joints), and the additional bearing is more than 1 meter away from the bearing at a distance parallel to the rotation axis of the car body.

[0023] In fact, the additional bearing has at least two additional opposing raceway surfaces that are relatively guided to rotate around the rotation axis of the additional bearing, and the first raceway surface of the two additional raceway surfaces is firmly connected to the car body, and the second raceway surface of the two additional raceway surfaces is firmly connected to a support connected to the wheel rim structure by the additional sliding ball joint.

[0024] Preferably, the sliding axis of each of the two additional sliding ball joints is parallel to the rotation axis of the additional bearing. Preferably, the sliding axis of each of the two additional sliding ball joints coincides within the manufacturing tolerance with one of the sliding axes of the two sliding ball joints.

[0025] The two additional ball joints together impart degrees of freedom of movement to the additional bearing with respect to the wheel rim structure. Specifically, ● The additional bearing can freely rotate around an additional tilting axis that is in the same plane as and orthogonal to each additional sliding axis at an additional contact position, and / or ● The additional bearing can freely rotate around an additional rocking axis that intersects the rotation axis of the additional bearing at an additional contact position.

[0026] In one embodiment, the guide structure includes a further stopper device having a first further corresponding stopper firmly connected to the further bearing opposite to a first further corresponding stopper firmly connected to the wheel rim structure, wherein the first further stopper and the first further corresponding stopper contact according to a first further contact area at a first further contact position to restrict the translational motion of the further bearing relative to the wheel rim structure in a first translational direction parallel to the sliding axis, and the further stopper and the further corresponding stopper contact according to a contact area located less than 10 cm from the plane containing each sliding axis and / or less than 10 cm from the midline plane between the two sliding axes.

[0027] In one embodiment, the carriage has a cylindrical central portion and two nose cone-shaped lateral portions, and the first track surface is attached to the connection between the central portion and the lateral portions.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a part of the Ferris wheel equipment in one embodiment of the present invention, specifically showing the wheel rim, the passenger car, and the guide structure of the passenger car. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the details of the guide structure. [Figure 3] This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the details of the guide structure. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sliding ball joint of the guide structure in the cutting plane C shown. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stopper device of the guide structure in the cutting plane S shown. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a further stopper device of the same guide structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] For clarity, identical or similar components / parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the text and drawings. The embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the attached drawings and described below are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a part of the Ferris wheel equipment 10. The Ferris wheel equipment 10 comprises a wheel rim structure 12 that is rotatable around a horizontal orbital axis, and a passenger car 14 connected to the wheel rim structure 12 via a guide structure 16 so as to rotate relative to the wheel rim structure 12 around a rotational axis that is parallel to the orbital axis of the wheel rim structure 12 and away from the orbital axis of the wheel rim structure 12.

[0032] As an example, the cabin 14 may have an oval structure. This structure is, for example, composed of a central portion 14.1 forming a cylinder surrounded by two nose-cone shaped end portions 14.2. The illustrated cabin 14 is large and capable of accommodating a considerable number of passengers, more than a dozen, in a seated or standing position.

[0033] The guide structure 16 of the carriage 14 includes at least one bearing 20. Preferably, the guide structure 16 includes two bearings 20 located on planes spaced apart from each other. Ideally, the planes are parallel. Ideally, the rotation axes 100 of each bearing coincide and together form the rotation axis of the carriage. In this embodiment, each bearing 20 is located on the connecting plane between the cylindrical central portion 14.1 and one end portion 14.2 of the nose cone shape of the carriage 14 structure, and has a diameter greater than 1.5 meters, preferably greater than 2 meters.

[0034] Each bearing 20 has two bearing raceway rings 22 and 24 that form opposing raceway surfaces 26 and 28. The rolling elements 30 roll on the opposing raceway surfaces 26 and 28, guiding the relative rotational motion of the bearing 20 around the axis of rotation 100 between the two raceway surfaces 26 and 28. Specifically, the first raceway ring 22 that forms the first raceway surface 26 is firmly connected to the carriage 10, and the second raceway ring 24 that forms the second raceway surface 28 is firmly connected to the support 32. The support 32 is connected to a plate 34 that is firmly connected to the wheel rim structure 12. In one modified example, the support 32 and the raceway rings 24 may form a single integrated unit.

[0035] The plate 34 is preferably formed as a single unit so that its dimensions are perfectly controlled, and for example has two parallel shield bodies 36, which define a spacer recess 38 between them, in which a portion of the support 32 is accommodated. The plate 34 has a connecting portion 40 which is fixed to the main body of the wheel rim structure 12.

[0036] The plate 34 and the support 32 are kinematically connected by two sliding ball joints 42 whose sliding axes 200 are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. In the context of the present invention, a sliding ball joint is a mechanical connection that ensures three rotational degrees of freedom around a center of rotation and one translational degree of freedom along the sliding axis from the center of rotation. In some applications, the motion corresponding to the rotational degrees of freedom can be made to an extremely small amplitude, for example, less than 5°. The translational degree of freedom can be made to about 20 mm. However, these values ​​are merely examples and can vary greatly depending on geometric defects found in the structure of the capsule and the dimensions of the capsule and the bearing. Clearances exceeding these values ​​are not ruled out. Preferably, the sliding axes 200 of the two sliding ball joints 42 are parallel to the rotation axis 100 of the bearing 20 that is supported, at least at the midline reference position of the guide structure 16. Each of these ball joints 42 is housed between two parallel shield bodies 36 in the plate 34.

[0037] Each sliding ball joint 42 has a ring 44 housed in a clevis 46 fixed to a support 32, for example. The ring 44 is for housing a sliding bearing 48, which is at least partially spherical. The sliding bearing 48 slides on a shaft formed by, for example, a pin 50. The pin 50 is firmly connected to two parallel shield bodies 36 via, for example, two flanges 52. The ring 36, firmly connected to the clevis 46, has a sliding groove consisting of a spherical outer circumference and a contour complementary to the outer contour of the sliding bearing 48, and is capable of rotating about the center of the bearing 48. The bearing 48 itself is capable of moving along the axis 200 of the pin 50.

[0038] The sliding axes 200 formed by each pin 40 are parallel to each other. Each sliding ball joint 42 provides three rotational degrees of freedom and one translational degree of freedom parallel to the axis 200 of the pin 50 at the connection point between the support 32 and the plate 34, thereby enabling correction of misalignment between the support 32 and the rotation axes 100 of the two bearings 20.

[0039] The guide structure 16 includes a stopper device 54 for at least one support 32 (in this example, two support 32). Preferably, the stopper device 54 is housed between two shield bodies 36 in the plate 34. Each stopper device 54 (one shown in Figure 5 and the other in Figure 6) has two stoppers 56, each stopper 56 being firmly connected to one of the shield bodies 36 in the plate 34, with each stopper 56 facing a corresponding stopper 58 that is firmly connected to the support 32 (and therefore firmly connected to the wheel rim structure 12). The first stopper 56 contacts the corresponding stopper 58 facing the first stopper 56 at a first contact position to restrict the translational motion of the support 32 relative to the wheel rim structure 23 parallel to the sliding axis 200 in a first translational direction. Similarly, the second stopper 56 contacts a corresponding stopper 58 facing the second stopper 56 at a second contact position to restrict the translational motion of the support 32 relative to the wheel rim structure 12 in a second translational direction, which is opposite to the first translational direction and parallel to the sliding axis 200.

[0040] At any contact position, the contact area Z (shown in Figure 2) between the target stopper 56 and its corresponding corresponding stopper 58 is located approximately midway between the sliding ball joints 42. For reference, the center of each contact area Z is preferably located less than 10 cm from the plane P containing each sliding axis, and also less than 10 cm from the central symmetric plane S between the two sliding axes 200.

[0041] In this embodiment, in which a stopper device 54 is associated with each support 32, the arrangement of at least one of the two support 32s, the stopper 56, and the corresponding stopper 58 can be such that the first contact position and the second contact position do not coincide, as shown in Figure 5. That is, the support 32 can be arranged so that it can translate parallel to the sliding axis 200 with respect to the plate 34 over a distance of several millimeters between the first contact position and the second contact position. As a result, the corresponding support 32 will translate parallel to each sliding axis 200 with respect to the wheel rim structure 12, and will be able to freely rotate around a virtual oscillating axis 300 that is orthogonal to the plane P containing each sliding axis and intersects with the rotation axis of the bearing 100, and around a virtual tilting axis 400 that passes through the rotation center of each sliding ball joint 42.

[0042] As for the other support 32, it is preferable to align the first contact position and the second contact position, as shown in Figure 6, to prevent translation of the support 32 relative to the wheel rim structure 12.

[0043] Each sliding ball joint 42 corrects misalignment, particularly misalignment between the two bearings 20, thereby reducing waste during installation and suppressing mechanical stress. The stopper device 54 also reduces the axial clearance of the carriage 14 to the extent necessary to compensate for misalignment, enabling the absorption of axial stress caused by, for example, wind.

[0044] Each stopper device 54 can be adjusted as needed by increasing or decreasing (or actually setting to zero) the corresponding axial clearance.

[0045] In one modified example (not shown), only one of the two support members 32 is connected to the wheel rim structure by a sliding ball joint 42, and the other support member 32 has no degree of freedom.

[0046] In other variations, only one plate is provided on the guide structure 16 to secure the connection of the two supports 32 to the wheel rim structure 12. Furthermore, this disclosure includes the following details regarding the manner of implementation. [Aspect 1] A wheel rim structure (12) that can rotate around the orbital axis in the horizontal direction, At least one passenger car (14) connected to the wheel rim structure (12) via a guide structure (16), Equipped with, The guide structure (16) includes at least one bearing (20) that forms the axis of rotation (100), The bearing has at least two opposing raceway surfaces (26, 28) which are relatively guided to rotate around the rotation axis (100) of the bearing (20), In a Ferris wheel facility (10) in which the first of the two track surfaces (26) is firmly connected to the ride car (14) and the second of the two track surfaces (28) is firmly connected to the support (32), The Ferris wheel equipment (10) is characterized in that the support (20) is connected to the wheel rim structure (12) by two sliding ball joints (42), and the sliding axes (200) of the two sliding ball joints (42) are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. [Aspect 2] The Ferris wheel equipment (10) described in Embodiment 1 is characterized in that the rotation axis (100) of the bearing (20) is parallel to each of the sliding axis (200) of the sliding ball joint (42) at the central reference position. [Aspect 3] The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to Embodiment 2, characterized in that the rotation axis (100) of the bearing (20) is equidistant from each of the sliding axis (200) at the central reference position. [Aspect 4] A Ferris wheel facility (10) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the guide structure (16) includes a stopper device (54) having at least one first stopper (56) firmly connected to the wheel rim structure (12) opposite a first corresponding stopper (58) firmly connected to the bearing (20), the first stopper (56) and the first corresponding stopper (58) contact each other in accordance with a first contact area (Z) at a first contact position to restrict the translational motion of the bearing (20) relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a first translational direction parallel to the sliding axis (200), the Ferris wheel facility (10). [Aspect 5] A Ferris wheel device (10) according to Embodiment 4, characterized in that the center of the first contact area (Z) is located less than 10 cm from the plane (P) containing each of the sliding axes (200) and / or less than 10 cm from the central plane (S) between the two sliding axes (200). [Aspect 6] A Ferris wheel apparatus (10) according to embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the stopper device has at least one second stopper (56) firmly connected to the wheel rim structure (12) opposite to a second corresponding stopper (58) firmly connected to the bearing (20), and the second stopper (56) and the second corresponding stopper (58) contact at a second contact position to restrict the translational motion of the bearing (20) relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a second translational direction opposite to the first translational direction and parallel to the sliding axis (200). [Aspect 7] The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to embodiment 6, wherein the stopper device (54) enables the bearing (20) to move in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the bearing relative to the wheel rim structure (12), and has an axial clearance between the first contact position and the second contact position. [Aspect 8] The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to embodiment 6, wherein the first contact position and the second contact position coincide, and the stopper device (54) prevents the bearing (20) from axially oriented relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the bearing. [Aspect 9] A Ferris wheel facility (10) according to any one embodiment of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the guide structure (16) includes at least one further bearing (20) that forms a rotation axis (100), the further bearing (20) is located more than 1 meter away from the bearing (20) at a distance parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the bearing, and the further bearing (20) has at least two further opposing raceway surfaces that are relatively guided to rotate around the rotation axis of the further bearing, the first of the two further raceway surfaces being firmly connected to the ride car (14), and the second of the two further raceway surfaces being firmly connected to a support (32) connected to the wheel rim structure by the further sliding ball joint. [Aspect 10] The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to embodiment 9, wherein the further bearing (20) is connected to the wheel rim structure (12) by two further sliding ball joints (42), and the sliding axes (200) of the two further sliding ball joints (42) are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. [Aspect 11] A Ferris wheel apparatus (10) according to embodiment 10, characterized in that the sliding axis (200) of each of the two further sliding ball joints (42) is parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the further bearing (20). [Aspect 12] A Ferris wheel apparatus (10) according to embodiment 10 or 11, wherein the guide structure (16) includes a further stopper device (54) having at least one first further stopper (56) firmly connected to the wheel rim structure (12) opposite a first further corresponding stopper (58) firmly connected to the further bearing (20), characterized in that the first further stopper (56) and the first further corresponding stopper (58) contact at a first contact position to restrict the translational motion of the further bearing (20) relative to the wheel rim structure (12) parallel to the sliding axis (200) in a first translational direction. [Aspect 13] A Ferris wheel facility (10) according to embodiment 12, characterized in that the further stopper device (54) enables the further bearing (20) with respect to the wheel rim structure (12) to move in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the further bearing (20). [Aspect 14] The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to embodiment 12, wherein the further stopper device (54) prevents the further bearing (20) from axially oriented relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the further bearing (20). [Aspect 15] A Ferris wheel device (10) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 14, characterized in that the pitch circle diameter of the bearing (20) is greater than 1.5 meters, preferably greater than 2 meters.

Claims

1. A wheel rim structure (12) that can rotate around the orbital axis in the horizontal direction, At least one passenger car (14) connected to the wheel rim structure (12) via a guide structure (16), Equipped with, The guide structure (16) includes at least one bearing (20) that forms the axis of rotation (100), The bearing has at least two opposing raceway surfaces (26, 28) which are relatively guided to rotate around the rotation axis (100) of the bearing (20), In a Ferris wheel facility (10) in which the first track surface (26) of the opposing track surfaces is firmly connected to the ride car (14), and the second track surface (28) of the opposing track surfaces is firmly connected to the support (32), The Ferris wheel equipment (10) is characterized in that the support (32) is connected to the wheel rim structure (12) by two sliding ball joints (42), and the sliding axes (200) of the two sliding ball joints (42) are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

2. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotation axis (100) of the bearing (20) is parallel to each of the sliding axis (200) of the sliding ball joint (42) at the central reference position.

3. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotation axis (100) of the bearing (20) is equidistant from each of the sliding axis (200) at the central reference position.

4. A Ferris wheel apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide structure (16) includes a stopper device (54) having at least one first stopper (56) firmly connected to the wheel rim structure (12) opposite to a first corresponding stopper (58) firmly connected to the bearing (20), characterized in that the first stopper (56) and the first corresponding stopper (58) contact at a first contact position according to a first contact area (Z) to restrict the translational motion of the bearing (20) relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a first translational direction parallel to the sliding axis (200), the Ferris wheel apparatus (10).

5. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the center of the first contact area (Z) is located less than 10 cm from the plane (P) containing each of the sliding axes (200) and / or less than 10 cm from the central plane (S) between the two sliding axes (200).

6. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 4, wherein the stopper device has at least one second stopper (56) that is firmly connected to the wheel rim structure (12) and opposite to a second corresponding stopper (58) that is firmly connected to the bearing (20), and the second stopper (56) and the second corresponding stopper (58) contact at a second contact position to restrict the translational motion of the bearing (20) relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a second translational direction that is opposite to the first translational direction and parallel to the sliding axis (200).

7. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 6, wherein the stopper device (54) enables the bearing (20) to move in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the bearing relative to the wheel rim structure (12), and there is an axial clearance between the first contact position and the second contact position.

8. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 6, wherein the first contact position and the second contact position coincide, and the stopper device (54) prevents the bearing (20) from axially oriented relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the bearing.

9. A Ferris wheel facility (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide structure (16) includes at least one further bearing (20) that forms a rotation axis (100), the further bearing (20) is located more than 1 meter away from the bearing (20) at a distance parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the bearing, and the further bearing (20) has at least two further opposing raceway surfaces that are relatively guided to rotate around the rotation axis of the further bearing, the first of the further opposing raceway surfaces being firmly connected to the ride car (14), and the second of the further opposing raceway surfaces being firmly connected to a support (32) connected to the wheel rim structure by the further sliding ball joint.

10. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 9, wherein the further bearing (20) is connected to the wheel rim structure (12) by two further sliding ball joints (42), and the sliding axes (200) of the two further sliding ball joints (42) are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

11. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the sliding axis (200) of each of the two further sliding ball joints (42) is parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the further bearing (20).

12. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 10, wherein the guide structure (16) includes a further stopper device (54) having at least one first further stopper (56) firmly connected to the wheel rim structure (12) opposite a first further corresponding stopper (58) firmly connected to the further bearing (20), wherein the first further stopper (56) and the first further corresponding stopper (58) contact at a first contact position to restrict the translational motion of the further bearing (20) relative to the wheel rim structure (12) parallel to the sliding axis (200) in a first translational direction, the Ferris wheel equipment (10).

13. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 12, wherein the further stopper device (54) enables the further bearing (20) with respect to the wheel rim structure (12) to move in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the further bearing (20), characterized in that the Ferris wheel equipment (10).

14. The Ferris wheel equipment (10) according to claim 12, wherein the further stopper device (54) prevents the further bearing (20) from axially oriented relative to the wheel rim structure (12) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (100) of the further bearing (20).

15. A Ferris wheel facility (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pitch circle diameter of the bearing (20) is greater than 1.5 meters.

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