Carousel Ride Platforms for Independent Figure Motion and Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carousel ride systems lack the ability to independently control the movement and orientation of individual figures relative to the platform, limiting the variety and engagement of the ride experience.
Innovation Solution
A carousel ride system with a first rotatable platform and multiple second rotatable platforms, each driven by dedicated drive assemblies, allows figures to lift and rotate independently while maintaining a forward-facing orientation through coordinated control by processors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional carousel systems use a single drive mechanism for the entire platform, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to independently control individual figures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into multiple independent components: a first drive system for the main platform and multiple second drive assemblies for individual figures. Each second drive assembly can independently control its associated figure's movement and orientation, enabling versatile ride patterns while distributing system complexity across modular units
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, unified drive mechanism to a dynamic, multi-level control architecture where the main platform rotation can be independently combined with individual figure movements. This dynamic segmentation allows figures to perform diverse maneuvers (rising, falling, rotating) while maintaining overall system coordination
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent drive assemblies are used for each figure, then figure orientation and movement can be customized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each second drive assembly is designed as a universal module capable of performing multiple functions: controlling figure rotation, vertical movement, and orientation. This multi-functionality allows a single standardized component design to handle various ride patterns (racing, group experiences, individual maneuvers) without requiring separate specialized mechanisms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinated control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the positions and orientations of all figures and the main platform, enabling real-time adjustments to maintain desired ride patterns. This feedback loop allows complex multi-figure interactions to be managed through centralized coordination rather than requiring fully independent control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If figures are allowed to move independently on the rotating platform, then ride engagement increases, but maintaining forward-facing orientation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The second drive assemblies are positioned and configured in advance to account for the main platform's rotation. Each figure's drive mechanism is pre-aligned and coordinated with the platform's rotational position, allowing figures to maintain forward-facing orientation through pre-planned motion sequences rather than requiring continuous active correction during operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A carousel ride system includes a first rotatable platform and multiple second rotatable platforms. Each second rotatable platform of the multiple second rotatable platforms is positioned within a respective opening in the first rotatable platform. A first drive system is configured to drive rotation of the first rotatable platform and multiple second drive assemblies are configured to drive rotation of the multiple second rotatable platforms. Multiple figures extend over the multiple second rotatable platforms and multiple figure drive assemblies are configured to independently lift and rotate the multiple figures relative to the multiple second rotatable platforms. One or more processors are configured to coordinate operation of the first drive system, the multiple second drive assemblies, and the multiple figure drive assemblies to maintain the multiple figures in a forward-facing orientation relative to a direction of travel of the first rotatable platform during operation of the carousel ride system.