Crossed Through-Beam Seat Occupancy Detection in Narrow Armrests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection systems in amusement park rides often compromise safety due to their bulkiness, which hinders creative design and aesthetics, and fail to provide comprehensive coverage of curved seating areas.
Innovation Solution
An alternating pair of through-beam sensors are positioned in a cross pattern with angled light beams, allowing for extensive coverage while being compact enough to fit within the armrests of seats, enhancing detection accuracy and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional object detection systems are used, then detection coverage is limited, but the systems become bulky and hinder creative design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear sensor arrangements to a two-dimensional cross pattern configuration. By positioning sensors at alternating corners of a cross structure, the system achieves comprehensive coverage of the curved seat surface and surrounding area without increasing sensor quantity or individual sensor size. This dimensional arrangement allows the detection coverage area to expand significantly while the physical volume of each sensor component remains compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of sensors relative to the cross structure, with sensors placed at alternating corners rather than symmetric positions. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes detection coverage for the curved geometry of amusement park ride seats, allowing the system to monitor both the seat surface and surrounding areas effectively while maintaining a compact form factor that does not interfere with creative design.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned to cover curved seat surfaces, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task among multiple discrete sensor units positioned at different locations on the cross structure. Each sensor monitors a specific zone (seat surface or surrounding area), and the system integrates signals from all sensors to achieve comprehensive detection. This segmentation approach maintains measurement precision for curved surfaces while keeping individual sensor units simple and the overall configuration manageable through modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-pattern sensor system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects objects on the curved seat surface, monitors surrounding areas, and provides redundant detection coverage. The alternating corner positioning allows the same sensor configuration to handle both seat occupancy detection and safety zone monitoring, reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate sensor systems for different detection zones.
3Shape
If compact sensor configuration is used, then aesthetics improve, but detection coverage may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compact aesthetics by arranging sensors in a two-dimensional cross pattern rather than extending them linearly or distributing them across a large volume. The cross configuration with sensors at alternating corners creates a visually appealing symmetrical design that fits within limited space while the angular positioning of beams from these compact sensors expands the effective detection coverage area to include both curved seat surfaces and surrounding regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions sensors and their detection beams to conform to the curved geometry of amusement park ride seats. The alternating cross pattern arrangement allows detection beams to angle appropriately across curved surfaces, maintaining aesthetic integration with the ride design while ensuring comprehensive coverage of the curved seat area and surrounding safety zones through optimized beam angles.
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 thorough and accurate object detection over a wider area, maintaining ride safety and aesthetics by ensuring sensors fit within limited spaces, enabling effective occupancy monitoring and ride control.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating pair of through-beam sensors are positioned in a cross pattern with angled light beams
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed that perform occupancy detection. Photoelectric sensors, such as through sensors (E, R), are arranged in an angled cross pattern, such that light beams (108) of the through sensors (E, R,) cover a substantial portion of the seating surface of a seat (200A, 200B, 400). Upon interuption of a light beam (108) making up the angled cross pattern, an object is detected in the seat (200A, 200B, 400). The through sensors (E, R) may be held in a narrow armrest (106, 202) of a seat (200A, 200B, 400) by a bracket (300, 300') attached to the seat frame. Further, through sensors (E, R) for neighboring seats (200A, 200B, 400) may also be held by the bracket (300, 300').