Contoured Rotating Track for Variable Ride Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing round amusement park rides with central rotating hubs and fixed tracks provide a predictable and less thrilling experience due to low rotation rates and repetitive ride profiles, failing to engage older guests and offer sufficient mental stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A round ride design featuring a rotating hub with pivotally attached arms and an independently driven, contoured track surface that rotates about the central axis, allowing for variable and unpredictable vehicle elevation changes by adjusting rotation rates and directions, creating a dynamic and thrilling experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the central hub rotates at a fixed low speed with a fixed track, then the ride structure is simple and easy to operate, but the ride experience becomes predictable and repetitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the track rotate independently from the central hub at variable speeds and directions. This transforms the static fixed track into a dynamic moving track that changes its position and orientation continuously, creating unpredictable ride profiles while maintaining the simplicity of the overall round ride structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the track by introducing independent rotation with variable speed and direction. The track can rotate in the same or opposite direction as the hub at different rates, fundamentally altering the relative motion between the vehicle and track to create diverse ride experiences without changing the basic hub-and-arms configuration.
2Device complexity
If the track is fixed and the hub rotates at fixed speed, then the device complexity is low, but the ride becomes cyclic and predictable after one rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic motion to the track by enabling independent rotation at variable speeds and directions. This dynamic track movement ensures that each ride cycle presents different elevation profiles and timing patterns, preventing the ride from becoming repetitive while adding only moderate complexity through the independent drive mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rotation rate is increased to provide more thrill, then the excitement factor improves, but the ride becomes less stable and more intense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by varying the track rotation speed and direction independently from the hub rotation. This allows the system to create thrilling elevation changes through the interaction of two rotational motions, providing excitement through the resulting complex trajectory while maintaining overall ride stability through controlled, coordinated rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
A round ride that creates a rotating ride experience with a varying frequency of vehicle elevations. The round ride includes a central hub assembly with a hub and a hub drive that rotates the hub about a central axis at a hub rotation rate. The drive assembly includes support arms extending outward from the hub, upon which are mounted passenger vehicles. The support arms are pivotally mounted to the hub. The round ride includes a track structure with a ring-shaped running surface extending about the central axis and with a track drive rotating the running surface about the central axis at a track rotation rate in the same or differing direction and rate as the hub. The vehicles are vertically supported by the running surface which is contoured to define a series of hills and valleys, and the running surface and the hub are independently rotated about the central axis.