Conveyor Ride System Dynamic Path and Immersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement park rides often fail to provide an immersive experience due to predictable paths and lack of dynamic movement, leading to diminished thrill and excitement for repeat riders.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor ride system that enables passenger vehicles to move vertically, circumferentially, laterally, and radially, incorporating a guide assembly and visual elements like display screens and holograms to create varied sensations and immersive experiences by utilizing gravitational forces and dynamic path changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed track path is used for passenger vehicles, then the ride path is predictable and easy to operate, but the rider experience becomes less immersive and thrilling for repeat riders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic ride system where the conveyor structure can change its operational characteristics during the ride. The system transitions from a static conveyor to a dynamic one by introducing movable platforms that can shift position, allowing the ride path and experience to change mid-ride, thereby maintaining thrill for repeat riders while keeping operational control centralized
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds vertical movement as an additional dimension to the traditional horizontal conveyor ride. Movable platforms can shift vertically along the conveyor structure, creating multi-dimensional motion paths that increase ride complexity and replay value without requiring complete redesign of the base conveyor system
2Device complexity
If traditional conveyor movement is used, then the ride structure is simple, but the ride lacks unpredictable movements and immersive experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor structure is divided into multiple independent movable platforms that can operate semi-independently. Each platform can be controlled to move at different times and in different ways, creating unpredictable movement patterns while maintaining a relatively simple overall conveyor structure that doesn't require complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The movable platforms serve multiple functions: they act as passenger carriers, provide vertical movement capability, create unpredictable motion patterns, and can potentially be configured in different arrangements. This multi-functionality increases ride variety without proportionally increasing structural complexity
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
Enhances the amusement park experience by providing unpredictable movements and immersive visual elements, increasing thrill and engagement for riders, addressing the limitations of traditional ride systems.
Implementation Method 1
enables movement of a passenger ride vehicle in a vertical direction, a circumferential direction, a lateral direction, a radial direction, and/or another suitable direction with respect to a conveyor structure
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is a conveyor ride system (10) that includes a conveyor structure (12) having a plurality of conveyor beams (26) and a plurality of conveyor grooves (34). The plurality of conveyor beams (26) and the plurality of conveyor grooves (34) are configured to direct a ride vehicle (16) along a surface of the conveyor structure (12). The surface of the conveyor structure (12) defines at least a portion of a ride path of the conveyor ride system (10).