Ballasted Liftable Support Frame for Faster Amusement Ride Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement rides face challenges in achieving stable support and efficient setup, particularly for high loads and heights, due to cumbersome and time-consuming trailer coupling methods, which reduce operational efficiency and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A rigid self-supporting base frame assembly that engages ballast forming trailers using a lift system, eliminating the need for complex coupling, and incorporates a moment connection system for enhanced stability and ease of setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional trailer coupling methods are used to support high loads and heights, then the support structure can be stabilized, but the coupling process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into modular components: a base frame assembly that can be independently positioned, and separate ballast forming trailers that are coupled to it. This segmentation allows the base frame to be set up first and provide immediate stability, while trailers are added sequentially without requiring complex inter-trailer coupling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The base frame assembly acts as an intermediary element between the ground and the ballast forming trailers. Instead of directly coupling trailers to each other or to the ground, the base frame serves as a mediating platform that simplifies the connection process and enables rapid deployment while maintaining structural integrity for high loads and heights.
2Strength
If special non-mobile support structures are constructed at the location, then sufficient load absorption is achieved, but erecting and dismantling becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a static, permanently erected configuration to a dynamic, mobile system. The base frame assembly with integrated ballast trailers can be easily transported, erected, and dismantled, providing the strength of permanent structures while maintaining the flexibility and operational efficiency of mobile systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The base frame assembly serves multiple functions: it provides ground support, acts as a coupling platform for ballast trailers, and enables the entire structure to be mobile. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate permanent support structures at each location, thereby improving productivity while maintaining adequate load absorption capacity.
3Ease of operation
If threaded connections are used for trailer coupling, then trailers can be connected, but the process becomes complex and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The complex threaded connection system is extracted and replaced with a simpler coupling mechanism. The base frame assembly provides a standardized interface that couples to ballast trailers without requiring threaded connections, thereby simplifying the operation while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The current invention relates to an amusement ride comprising a mast support structure for supporting a mast in at least a substantially upright position, the mast support structure comprising; - a rigid self-supporting base frame assembly configured for contacting [holding, carrying, supporting] and holding a ballast weight for stably supporting the mast in the upright position, and - a lift system for lifting the base frame assembly with respect to a ground level, wherein the lift system is configured to lift the base frame assembly from an initial position, upwards to an operational position, and wherein the amusement park ride comprises; a ballast forming trailer at least partly arranged above the base frame assembly such that the base frame assembly engages the ballast forming trailer when the base frame assembly is lifted from the initial position upwards to the operational position so that the ballast forming trailer is at least partly supported by the base frame assembly in the operational position.