Animated and Free-Motion Figure Switching for Amusement Rides
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park ride figures struggle to seamlessly switch between animated and free motion states due to structural limitations, which leads to mechanical stress and reduced lifespan, and fail to provide a convincing and smooth transition between these states.
Innovation Solution
A ride system with a ride vehicle and a controller that determines field of view obstructions, switching mechanisms for animated and free motion figures, enabling them to alternate based on viewer visibility, allowing animated figures to exit and free motion figures to enter scene areas, and vice versa, using mechanisms like sliding, rotating, and suspension systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an animated figure is subjected to significant or repeated G-forces to enable free motion, then the figure can exhibit free motion, but severe stress is put on the animation mechanisms and their lifespan is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the figure into two separate types: animated figures that remain stationary and perform animated motions, and free motion figures that perform free fall and gravity-based movements. This segmentation allows each type to specialize in its intended function without compromising the other's integrity or lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between animated figures and free motion figures based on real-time detection of ride vehicle position and field of view. This dynamic replacement allows the system to adapt to changing ride conditions while protecting animated figures from damaging G-forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an animated figure is used to exhibit both animated motions and free motion, then the figure can perform multiple functions, but the transition between states is not convincing and smooth
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses free motion figures that are visually identical to animated figures but are designed specifically for free fall movements. When a free motion sequence is required, the animated figure is replaced by a matching free motion figure, creating a seamless visual transition that maintains the illusion while enabling convincing free fall effects.
3Productivity
If the ride system continuously monitors field of view and switches between figure types, then the transitions are optimized for viewer visibility, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor the ride vehicle's position and determine when the field of view is directed toward or away from the scene area. This feedback information is used by the controller to automatically switch between animated and free motion figures, optimizing the rider experience while automating the complexity of coordination.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method of controlling a first figure configured to animate and a second figure configured to exhibit free motion in an amusement park ride includes determining when a field of view of a ride vehicle (RV) moving along a RV path of the ride is either directed away from a scene area of the ride or obstructed from the scene area, and responsive to such determination, causing a first mechanism associated with the first figure to move the first figure out of the scene area, and causing a second mechanism associated with the second figure to move the second figure into the scene area.