Arcuate Water Slide Feature Eliminates Evacuation Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water slide rides face challenges such as the need for evacuation platforms at loop sections, which can decrease the thrill of the ride, and lack of excitement in traditional slide designs.
Innovation Solution
A slide feature with an inrun, an outrun, and a substantially planar sliding surface in the shape of a sector of a closed curve, where riders or ride vehicles slide along an arcuate path bounded by an outer lip, offering varying pitch and roll angles to enhance the ride experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a loop section is used in the water slide, then the ride provides thrilling experience, but evacuation platforms are required at the valley and apex which decrease the thrill and increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the loop section from the water slide design, extracting the problematic element that required evacuation platforms. Instead of using a loop, the ride employs a more straightforward chute design that eliminates the need for complex evacuation infrastructure while maintaining rider safety through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a loop to create thrill, the patent inverts the approach by using a controlled descent with strategic elevation changes and a final drop. The thrill is generated through the anticipation and execution of the drop rather than through loop-induced G-forces, fundamentally reversing how excitement is achieved.
2Device complexity
If traditional slide designs are used, then the ride structure is simple, but the ride experience lacks excitement and thrill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical dimension dynamics by incorporating a final drop element into the slide design. This adds a dramatic elevation change dimension to the ride experience, transforming a simple horizontal or gentle slope slide into an exciting vertical descent that creates thrill through gravity-driven freefall sensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved and arcuate pathways in the slide design, using smooth transitions and banking curves to enhance the thrill factor. The curved geometry creates dynamic riding experiences with varying G-forces and directional changes, transforming a straight-line slide into an engaging three-dimensional journey while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 slide feature provides a more thrilling and dynamic experience for riders by eliminating the need for evacuation platforms and offering a unique, arcuate sliding path that increases elevation and then decreases it, potentially creating a zero-gravity sensation.
Implementation Method 1
the rider or ride vehicle, at least partially urged by gravity, slides along the sliding surface from the inrun to the outrun in an arcuate path
Data Source
AI summary
A slide feature for an amusement ride adapted to carry a rider or ride vehicle sliding thereon, and a water slide comprising said slide feature are provided. The slide feature has an inrun permitting ingress of the rider or ride vehicle, an outrun permitting egress, and a sliding surface in communication with the inrun and the outrun. The sliding surface may comprise a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve and/or may be substantially planar. The slide feature may also include an outer lip and provide that the rider or ride vehicle, at least partially urged by gravity, slides along the sliding surface from the inrun to the outrun in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip. The sliding surface may be oriented so an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle increases then decreases along the arcuate path.