Curved Support Arm Radial Vehicle Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional round amusement park rides offer a repetitive and predictable experience due to fixed vehicle positions and limited range of ride dynamics, making it difficult to attract repeat riders while maintaining a small footprint, simple control systems, and low construction and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A gravity slide ride system with curved support arms that allow passenger vehicles to slide radially inward and outward in response to centrifugal forces, varying vehicle radii, and rotational speeds of the central hub, providing a unique and dynamic ride experience with passive motion and customizable track geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support arm has a fixed length and the vehicle is rigidly or pivotally mounted at a fixed location on the support arm, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the radius at which the vehicle rotates about the central hub does not vary much resulting in ride dynamics that are unchanging or vary only within a small range
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed to be movable relative to the central hub, allowing the vehicle's radial position to change dynamically during rotation. The arm can extend or retract, enabling the vehicle radius to vary continuously rather than being fixed, thus providing changing ride dynamics while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of vehicle radius from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted during operation. By allowing the support arm length or position to change, the vehicle's rotational radius becomes a dynamic parameter that directly affects ride dynamics such as centripetal force and speed, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle position is fixed on the support arm, then the control system is simple, but the ride experience is repetitive and predictable
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's position variation is achieved through the natural dynamics of the movable support arm system rather than requiring complex active control. The arm's ability to extend or retract passively responds to rotational forces, providing varied ride experiences through the system's inherent mechanical behavior rather than sophisticated control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support arm introduces dynamic position changes that automatically vary the ride experience. As the arm extends or retracts during rotation, passengers experience changing speeds and forces without requiring complex control systems, thus improving ride variety while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle radius varies significantly, then the ride dynamics change greatly providing more excitement, but the track geometry becomes more complex increasing manufacturing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The track system is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different radial positions. Each segment can be manufactured with simpler geometry, and the overall complex radius variation is achieved by assembling multiple manageable sections rather than creating one complex continuous track, thus reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining large radius range.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring a complex fixed track geometry to achieve variable radius, the system uses a dynamic support arm that actively adjusts the vehicle's radial position. This allows the track itself to have simpler, more manufacturable geometry while the desired complex motion is achieved through the movable mounting mechanism.
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 enhances ride dynamics with increased speed variations and interactive elements, offering a new experience with minimal complexity and cost, while maintaining a compact design and low operational expenses.
Implementation Method 1
A passenger vehicle is then attached, via a mounting assembly, to each curved support arm so as to be able to slide radially inward and outward on the arm in response to forces applied to the vehicle due to rotation of the hub, i.e., the 'centrifugal force.'
Implementation Method 2
When the hub is not rotated, the vehicle slides on the track to a position corresponding to a minimum elevation or valley.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A rotating hub (112) ride configured to position passenger vehicles at different vehicle radii relative to the hub's axis of rotation (113). The ride includes curved support arms (120) extending outward from the hub, with a first end coupled to the hub at a lower height than a second end of the arm. A vehicle (130) is attached, via a mounting assembly, to each curved support arm to slide radially inward and outward on the arm in response to forces applied to the vehicle due to rotation of the hub, e.g., at two or more hub rotation rates. The arm or track defines a travel path for radial movement of the vehicle. When hub rotation is halted, the vehicle slides inward on the track to a load position corresponding to a minimum vehicle radius. At increasing hub speeds, the vehicle slides outward to position the vehicle in any of a number of vehicle radii.