Bus Bar Conveyor Powering for Synchronized Animated Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park attractions face challenges in efficiently transporting and powering animated elements to create immersive experiences, as current systems lack coordinated control over movement and power delivery to these elements.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a bus bar that powers animated elements via a bus bar arm, controlled by a controller to manage movement and power distribution, allowing simultaneous and coordinated activation or deactivation of animated elements for synchronized shows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveyor system transports animated elements through an attraction, then the animated elements can be positioned and moved along a path, but the animated elements require continuous power supply to maintain their animated functions (lights, sounds, movements)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bus bar as an intermediary power transmission component that runs parallel to the conveyor path. Animated elements equipped with bus bar arms can draw power continuously as they move along the conveyor, eliminating the need for battery systems and enabling uninterrupted animated functions throughout the attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical battery-powered systems with an electrical power delivery system using bus bars. This substitution allows animated elements to receive power through electrical contact rather than carrying heavy battery packs, significantly reducing weight and enabling continuous operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple animated elements are transported and powered simultaneously, then coordinated show effects can be achieved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for synchronized control of movement and power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conveyor control system and the bus bar power delivery system into a single integrated control architecture. The controller simultaneously manages conveyor motor speed and position while regulating power delivery to multiple animated elements, enabling synchronized show effects without requiring separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the conveyor speed, power delivery, and animated element activation are all adjusted in real-time based on position and show requirements. This dynamic coordination allows flexible programming of various show sequences while maintaining system simplicity through centralized control.
3Reliability
If animated elements are equipped with bus bar arms to contact the bus bar, then continuous power can be delivered during transport, but the precision of electrical contact must be maintained throughout the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible bus bar arms that can bend and conform to maintain continuous electrical contact with the bus bar during conveyor movement. This flexibility compensates for minor misalignments and positional variations, ensuring reliable power delivery without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates contact optimization features in the bus bar arm design that anticipate and compensate for potential contact losses before they occur. The system includes position feedback and adjustment mechanisms that maintain optimal contact pressure and alignment throughout the transport cycle.
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
Enables efficient and synchronized operation of animated elements, providing immersive entertainment experiences by controlling movement and power delivery in real-time, enhancing guest engagement through coordinated show effects.
Implementation Method 1
a bus bar configured to provide power... a powered component that is configured to receive the power from the bus bar via the bus bar arm
Data Source
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AI summary
A conveyor system for an attraction in an amusement park includes a bus bar configured to provide power, a conveyor configured to move relative to the bus bar, and an animated element assembly configured to be transported by the conveyor to move relative to the bus bar. The animated element assembly includes a bus bar arm that is configured to contact and move along the bus bar as the animated element assembly is transported by the conveyor and a powered component that is configured to receive the power from the bus bar via the bus bar arm.