Boom Coaster Simulated Surface Hides Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement rides fail to provide an immersive experience due to the rider's awareness of the ride surface and vehicle confines, limiting the simulation of motion and visual effects.

Innovation Solution

A boom coaster system featuring a passenger vehicle with a bogie that moves along a track, using a leg member or boom to create a simulated ride surface, hiding the actual tracks and carrier from the rider's view, thereby enhancing the thrill and immersion by suggesting the vehicle's path is controlled by the simulated surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the actual track and carrier are visible to the rider, then the ride structure provides necessary support and guidance, but the rider's awareness of the ride surface and vehicle confines prevents full immersion in the simulated experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural support visibilityVSAvoidimmersive experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simulated ride surface that copies the appearance of a real track surface without providing actual structural support. This simulated surface is visible to riders and creates the illusion that the vehicle is traveling on a real track, enhancing immersion while the actual hidden carrier provides the structural support and guidance functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The simulated ride surface acts as an intermediary element between the hidden actual track structure and the rider's perception. It mediates the visual experience by presenting a convincing fake surface that blocks views of the actual carrier and track while maintaining the necessary structural functions through the hidden real track system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the simulated ride surface completely hides the actual track, then rider immersion is enhanced, but the structural integrity and guidance functions must be maintained through alternative means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmersive experienceVSAvoidstructural support
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the track function into two separate components: a hidden actual track structure that provides structural support, guidance, and safety functions, and a visible simulated ride surface that provides visual immersion. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its primary function without compromise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The simulated ride surface serves as an intermediary layer that visually replaces the actual track for the rider's benefit while the actual track remains hidden but functional. This intermediary structure maintains structural reliability through the hidden real track while enhancing immersion through the convincing simulated surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If projection elements and special effects are added to enhance the ride experience, then visual interest is improved, but the rider remains aware of the ride confines which limits simulation accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual effectsVSAvoidsimulation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The simulated ride surface creates a realistic copy of a genuine track surface with proper visual cues, textures, and features that convince riders they are on a real track. This realistic copying enhances the effectiveness of projection elements and special effects by providing an authentic base surface for visual enhancements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3277394B1Boom coaster
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP3277394B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3277394B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3277394B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A boom coaster includes a passenger vehicle, a track, a bogie coupled to the passenger vehicle and the track and configured to move along the track, and a simulated ride surface positioned above the track and beneath the passenger vehicle. The simulated ride surface is configured to imitate a path of the passenger vehicle, the bogie is coupled to a surface of the passenger vehicle via a leg member extending around the simulated ride surface, and the leg member suspends the passenger vehicle above the simulated surface such that the bogie and the track are blocked from a passenger view perspective of the passenger vehicle.