Animated Figure Walking Mechanism With Hidden Carrier Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animated figures in amusement parks struggle with limited movement capabilities and visibility of actuators, which hinders immersion and realism.
Innovation Solution
An ambulatory animated figure system utilizing a carrier with multiple actuators and a controller to coordinate limb movements, concealing the carrier's translation and actuation, creating an illusion of autonomous movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a performer or mechanical actuators are used to move the animated figure, then the figure can exhibit movement, but the performer or actuators become visible to the audience, reducing immersion and realism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mechanical actuation system from the visible animated figure and places it in a hidden carrier platform. The actuators (motors, drives) are completely removed from the figure's visible anatomy and relocated to the support structure, allowing the figure to appear magically animated without visible mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a carrier platform as an intermediary between the actuators and the animated figure. This mediator conceals the mechanical components while transmitting motion to the figure, creating a buffer zone that separates the visible artistic element from the invisible mechanical element.
2Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical actuators are used to animate the figure, then movement can be achieved, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuation functions into a single integrated carrier platform. Instead of having separate actuators for each limb and body movement, the system combines all mechanical actuation into one unified platform that moves the entire figure, reducing the number of components and simplifying the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier platform serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the animated figure, conceals all actuators, provides the moving platform for ambulation, and coordinates limb movements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each function.
3Speed
If the animated figure is made to walk using visible mechanical means, then ambulatory movement is achieved, but the illusion of lifelike movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the platform move rather than the figure moving in place. Instead of anchoring the figure and moving its limbs mechanically, the figure stands on a moving carrier that translates it forward, while the limbs perform subtle counterbalancing movements, creating a more natural walking illusion.
Data Source
AI summary
An ambulatory animated figure system includes an animated figure having a body with a first limb and a second limb extending therefrom. The system also includes a carrier configured to be disposed on a support, and the animated figure extends away from a side of the carrier in a direction. The carrier is coupled to a first limb through a first actuator system, which is configured to move the first limb away from the side of the carrier in the direction and configured to slide an end of the first limb transversely relative to the direction. The carrier is translated relative to the support through a second actuator system. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first actuator system and the second actuator system and configured to coordinate actuation of the first actuator system and the second actuator system to provide an ambulatory effect.