Conjoined Bowl Structure With Different Radii for Stable Ride Exits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water slide bowls experience inconsistent ride path decay due to variations in vehicle weight and distribution, leading to unstable exit positions and increased cycle time, which affects throughput consistency and ride experience variability.
Innovation Solution
The conjoining of multiple curved features with a central crossover section allows for a consistent ride path by transitioning ride vehicles between bowls with different radii, using water nozzles, channels, and gravity-assisted exits to maintain speed and direction, enabling simultaneous multiple vehicle entries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single conventional bowl structure is used, then the ride experience is exciting with free path decay, but the ride path variability increases due to weight and distribution differences
Solution Approach 1:
The single bowl is segmented into multiple conjoined bowls (first bowl, second bowl, third bowl) with distinct functions. The first bowl provides initial excitation, the second bowl provides constraint and direction control, and the third bowl provides exit. This segmentation allows each bowl to specialize in either providing ride freedom or path consistency, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second bowl acts as an intermediary element between the first bowl (entry) and third bowl (exit). It mediates the transition by constraining the ride vehicle path through its curved surface, converting the uncontrolled decay from the first bowl into a controlled trajectory toward the third bowl, thereby ensuring consistent exit positions.
2Productivity
If a conventional single bowl is used, then the ride path decay is natural, but the cycle time increases due to inconsistent exit positions
Solution Approach 1:
The ride path is segmented into distinct functional zones across three bowls, with the second bowl specifically designed to constrain and direct vehicles toward a consistent exit point in the third bowl. This segmentation eliminates the variability in exit positions that causes inconsistent throughput and extended cycle times.
Solution Approach 2:
The curvature radius of the second bowl is specifically designed to be less than that of the first bowl, creating a parameter change that increases the constraining effect on the ride vehicle. This parameter modification ensures that vehicles maintain a consistent path and exit position, improving throughput consistency and reducing cycle time variability.
3Reliability
If multiple bowls with different radii are conjoined, then the ride path consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bowls with different functions are merged into a single conjoined structure sharing common walls and continuous curved surfaces. The first, second, and third bowls are conjoined such that they form an integrated ride feature, reducing the need for separate structures and simplifying the overall device while maintaining the complexity benefits of multiple radii.
Solution Approach 2:
The conjoined bowl structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the first bowl provides initial ride excitation, the second bowl provides path constraint and direction control, and the third bowl provides the exit. This multi-functionality within a single conjoined structure achieves exit position stability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Reliability
If water jets are introduced into the bowl, then the slide path becomes more determined, but the ride loses the sense of slide path freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The ride feature is segmented into three bowls with progressively different functions. The first bowl maintains slide path freedom with minimal intervention, while the second and third bowls provide increasing levels of path determination. This segmentation allows the ride to offer both freedom and determination at different stages, resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the conjoined bowl structure have different qualities: the first bowl has a larger curvature radius providing a more open, free-riding experience, while the second bowl has a smaller curvature radius providing stronger constraining and directing forces. This local quality variation allows both slide path freedom and determination to coexist in different parts of the same ride feature.
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
This configuration provides a more consistent and stable exit, enhances throughput consistency, and offers a unique ride experience by maintaining ride path repeatability and reducing cycle time variability.
Implementation Method 1
water jets into the bowls in an effort to provide more determinant slide paths
Implementation Method 2
water nozzles, channels, and gravity-assisted exits to maintain speed and direction
Implementation Method 3
gravity-assisted exits to maintain speed and direction
Data Source
AI summary
A ride feature includes a first bowl structure having a substantially constant first radius; and a second bowl structure having a substantially constant second radius that is less than the substantially constant first radius, wherein the second bowl structure is attached to the first bowl structure such that a conjoined bowl structure is formed from the first bowl structure and the second bowl structure, the conjoined bowl structure further comprising: a rider entrance into the conjoined bowl structure; and a rider exit out of the conjoined bowl structure.