Actuated Support Arm with Pivoting Suspension for Amusement Rides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing round amusement park rides fail to provide an exciting and variable experience for older guests while retaining the simplicity and affordability of multi-arm rotating rides, as they typically rotate at low speeds and have predictable movements, leading to limited appeal and repeat visits.
Innovation Solution
A round ride design featuring multiple support arm assemblies around a hub, where each arm is actuated by passenger input to change vertical angles, and includes a suspension link that freely pivots, allowing vehicles to move in a range of horizontal and vertical motions, enhancing ride dynamics and passenger control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the round ride rotates at low speed and uses simple support arms, then the ride is safe and easy to operate, but the ride experience becomes predictable and unexciting for older guests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the support arm angle variable rather than fixed. The support arm can dynamically adjust its angle relative to the horizontal plane, allowing the ride to transition between different motion profiles. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same ride structure to provide varied and exciting experiences for older guests while maintaining the simple, safe operation characteristic of traditional round rides.
2Device complexity
If the round ride uses fixed support arms with limited motion range, then the ride structure is simple and affordable, but the ride lacks excitement and repeatability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the support arm to vary its angle during operation. This angular variability allows the ride to offer different motion profiles and excitement levels without requiring completely different ride structures, thereby maintaining affordability and structural simplicity while enhancing experience variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the support arm angle as a key parameter. By changing this geometric parameter during ride operation, the system creates diverse ride experiences from a single structural configuration, avoiding the need for complex multi-structure systems while delivering excitement and repeatability.
3Device complexity
If the round ride uses a single rigid support arm per vehicle, then the ride mechanism is simple, but the passenger control and motion variability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the support arm into multiple segments rather than using a single rigid arm. This segmented structure allows independent angular adjustment of each segment, providing passengers with greater control over the vehicle's orientation and motion profile while keeping each individual segment mechanically simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the multi-segment support arm structure that can dynamically adjust its configuration. Each segment can independently change its angle, allowing real-time adaptation of the ride experience based on passenger input, thereby enhancing control capability without significantly increasing overall mechanism complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides a unique and varied ride experience with increased passenger control over movement, leading to more exciting and repeatable rides that appeal to a wider age range without significant changes to the existing infrastructure or costs.
Implementation Method 1
During rotation of the hub, the suspension arm pivots from a load position in which the suspension arm hangs substantially vertically below the connector to a maximum vehicle suspension angle of at least about 30 degrees as measured from the load position
Data Source
AI summary
A round ride with suspended vehicles from ends of actuated support arms. The ride includes a drive assembly rotating a centrally located hub. The ride also includes a passenger vehicles including at least one input device such as a support arm actuator controller. For each of the passenger vehicles, a vehicle support assembly is provided that supports the passenger vehicle such that the vehicle rotates with the hub. The vehicle support assembly includes a rigid support arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the hub. The support assembly has an actuator that operates in response to signals from the input device to move the support arm through a range of vertical support angles. The support assembly includes a suspension arm connected at a first end for free pivoting about a second or the free end of the support aim and attached at its second end to the passenger vehicle.