Curved Water Slide Projection With Rider-Predicted Visuals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide systems face challenges in providing immersive effects due to the difficulty in projecting 3-dimensional images on a circular surface, maintaining projector reliability in harsh environments, and integrating LED lighting without interference with the slide interior.
Innovation Solution
A slide system with ride prediction software that adjusts images based on rider inputs, uses projectors housed in temperature-controlled enclosures, and incorporates LED lighting loops and spot lights designed to fit around the slide exterior, ensuring effective projection and lighting effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If images are projected onto the circular slide interior to create immersive effects, then rider immersion and sense of movement are improved, but the image projection quality deteriorates because traditional 2D flat surface projection techniques cannot adapt to the circular 3D surface geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by mapping 2D images onto the circular slide interior surface, adapting the projection to match the curved geometry. This allows images to conform to the circular shape while maintaining visual coherence and immersion for riders viewing from different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D flat surface projection to 3D curved surface projection. By incorporating the third dimension (the radial depth of the circular slide interior), the system creates immersive visuals that adapt to the cylindrical geometry, allowing images to wrap around the curve and maintain proper perspective for riders.
2Ease of operation
If projectors are located in exposed environments to project images onto the slide, then installation flexibility is improved, but projector reliability deteriorates due to exposure to heat, water, dust, and corrosive sea air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs protective enclosures or housings that act as barriers between the projectors and the harsh environment. These protective shells shield the projectors from water, dust, and corrosive elements while allowing the system to be installed in exposed locations on the slide structure.
3Illumination intensity
If LED lighting is integrated into the slide interior to enhance visual effects, then ride visual enhancement is improved, but the LED operation reliability deteriorates due to heat accumulation and ambient light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat sinks as intermediary components between the LED light sources and the surrounding environment. These heat sinks act as thermal mediators, conducting heat away from the LEDs to prevent overheating and maintain reliable operation during intense visual effects sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ambient light shields or light-blocking structures that prevent external light from entering the LED housing and interfering with the visual effects. These shields create controlled lighting environments that maintain the integrity and intensity of the LED-generated visual effects.
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
The system provides a sense of movement and immersion by adapting images to match rider perspective, maintains projector reliability in challenging conditions, and ensures LED lighting does not interfere with the slide surface, enhancing the overall ride experience.
Implementation Method 1
water passing over the slide base and slide walls to urge rider movement from the entrance, through the intermediate section and to the ending of the slide
Implementation Method 2
a projector configured to display an image on at least part of the slide interior, the image corrected to appear flat when projected by the projector onto the slide interior surface
Implementation Method 3
a LED strip light loop configured to fit around a slide wall from the slide exterior and shine light into the slide interior
Implementation Method 4
The LED's must also be held a suitable distance from the translucent area of the slide surface to ensure an appropriate lighting effect
Data Source
AI summary
A slide and ride system are described. A slide is described with a processor comprising ride prediction software configured to use inputs on the rider and slide to predict ride output factors including rider position and speed and to use the predicted one or more ride output factors to direct and adjust an image displayed on the slide interior corresponding to rider speed and position on the slide. The projector used may be configured to display an image on at least part of the slide interior, the image corrected to appear flat when projected by the projector onto the slide interior surface.The slide may also comprise at least one LED strip lighting loop, each loop configured to fit around a slide exterior and project LED light into the slide interior, or LED spot lights configured to spot light the slide interior, the or each LED spot light comprising a prefabricated assembly configured to be fitted to a ring cut into the slide wall, or optionally roof, from the slide interior.