Contoured Slide Surface with Crossover Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional amusement rides lack innovative and unique ride experiences that can be efficiently designed within a small footprint, limiting the creativity in ride path design and rider experience.
Innovation Solution
The design of a ride surface with an inclined curved segment that includes a contoured section with upwardly curved sections and a central crossover area, allowing the ride path to cross over itself, providing a double high wall experience and unpredictable twists and turns, which can be enhanced with variable friction mechanisms and water features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ride surfaces are used, then the ride path is simple and easy to design, but the ride experience lacks uniqueness and creativity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contoured section with upwardly curved sections that deflect the rider into a third dimension, creating a figure-eight path that crosses over itself. This dimensional change transforms a conventional two-dimensional slide path into a three-dimensional experience, providing uniqueness without proportionally increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The contoured section employs curved surfaces including upwardly curved sections and a central crossover area that guide the rider through a figure-eight trajectory. The curvature of these surfaces naturally directs the rider's path, creating complex motion patterns from relatively simple geometric forms
2Adaptability or versatility
If a figure-eight path is implemented, then the ride experience is enhanced with multiple crossover points, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing vertical curvature through upwardly curved sections, the patent packs a figure-eight path into a compact footprint. The rider travels through multiple crossover points by moving in three dimensions rather than requiring proportional horizontal space, effectively reducing the overall area occupied by the attraction
Solution Approach 2:
The contoured section is integrated within the existing ride structure, with the upwardly curved sections and central crossover area nested within the overall slide configuration. This nesting allows the complex figure-eight path to be contained within a compact space rather than requiring separate dedicated areas
3Ease of operation
If upwardly curved sections are added to deflect the rider, then the ride dynamics become more engaging, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upwardly curved sections are designed as continuous curved surfaces that can be manufactured using standard formwork and concrete pouring techniques. The curvature is applied to pre-defined geometric patterns that simplify the manufacturing process while still achieving the desired rider deflection and engaging dynamics
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 creates a unique and engaging ride experience with multiple crossover points, offering a figure-eight path in a compact space, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and rider dynamics with controlled speed and direction changes.
Implementation Method 1
a ride surface for transporting a rider thereon. The ride surface may include one or more flumes, tubes, or other sliding surface
Implementation Method 2
The ride surface may be configured to reduce or increase friction between the ride surface and the ride vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A ride attraction is disclosed having a contoured section. The contoured section may be configured to provide a double wall experience. The contoured section may be configured to create a rider path that has at least two cross overs.