Drag-Inducing Mat Sipe Arrays for Rider Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water park rides with mat-based vehicles lack efficient means to control the speed and friction of riders, providing a less thrilling experience compared to vehicle-less rides.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of drag-inducing mats with sipe arrays on their bottom surfaces to increase friction and control speed by allowing riders to adjust their descent through varying pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a mat-based vehicle is used in a water park ride, then riders can achieve greater speeds along the water slide, but riders lack control over speed and friction resulting in a less thrilling experience
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is designed with a flexible, dynamic sipe array that can change its friction characteristics during the ride. The sipes flex and deform in response to rider pressure and water flow, allowing the friction coefficient to vary dynamically rather than remaining static, thereby enabling rider control over speed while maintaining high speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the friction parameter of the mat by incorporating a sipe array that can alter its surface properties. The sipes can open, close, or change orientation based on rider input and water conditions, effectively changing the friction parameter to allow riders to control their descent speed while achieving greater overall speeds than vehicle-less rides
2Speed
If a mat-based vehicle is used in a water park ride, then riders can achieve greater speeds, but the ride experience is less thrilling compared to vehicle-less rides
Solution Approach 1:
The mat's sipe array is designed to respond automatically to rider pressure and water flow conditions, allowing riders to self-regulate their own speed and friction levels without external control systems. This self-service mechanism enables each rider to customize their experience based on their preferences and skill level while maintaining the high speeds characteristic of mat-based rides
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic nature of the sipe array allows the mat to adapt to different rider preferences and ride conditions in real-time, creating a customizable experience. The sipes can adjust their friction characteristics on-the-fly, enabling riders to modulate their descent to create more thrilling variations compared to static vehicle-based rides
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 rider control over speed and friction, providing a more thrilling and customizable experience by allowing riders to selectively adjust their speed and control their descent.
Implementation Method 1
drag-inducing mats with sipe arrays on their bottom surfaces to increase friction
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of forming a drag-inducing mat includes positioning a mat adjacent to a cutting assembly. The mat includes a main body having a rider surface and an opposing surface. The method also includes moving the mat relative to the cutting assembly to define a sipe array within the opposing surface. The sipe array includes a plurality of sipes that extends from a first lateral edge of the main body to a second lateral edge of the main body. Additionally, the method includes forming the drag-inducing mat by coupling at least one handle to the rider surface of the main body at a position that enables forearms of a rider grasping the at least one handle to transmit force from the rider surface to the sipe array defined in the opposing surface during a ride.