Flying Roller Coaster Vertical Loading and Launch System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flying roller coasters face challenges with uncomfortable loading and unloading positions, complex and costly actuator assemblies, and lack of privacy during the loading process, as passengers often have to lie down and share a single loading station with multiple people.
Innovation Solution
A gravity-based flying roller coaster design featuring a vertical launch and unloading system, where passengers load and unload from vertical seat assemblies on stacked platforms, eliminating the need for seat actuation and providing private loading experiences through separate platforms for each vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If passengers load from a single horizontal platform, then loading capacity is high, but privacy is lost and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single horizontal loading platform is segmented into multiple vertical levels, with each level dedicated to a specific vehicle. This allows multiple passengers to load simultaneously while each has their own private space, resolving the contradiction between loading capacity and privacy/comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading platform transitions from a horizontal arrangement to a vertical stacked arrangement. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system maintains high loading capacity while providing privacy through vertical separation of loading zones.
2Ease of operation
If actuators are used to position seats in flying position, then ride experience is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Passengers are loaded in the vertical flying position directly, eliminating the need for actuators to reposition seats after loading. The seating is pre-configured in the desired flying position, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining ride experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assemblies are completely removed from the vehicle design. By extracting this complex mechanical subsystem, the patent reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs while achieving the same flying position through the vertical loading approach.
3Ease of operation
If seat backs are horizontal for loading, then loading is comfortable, but complex actuator assemblies are needed to position vehicles after loading
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of loading passengers horizontally and then using actuators to flip them to a flying position, the system inverts the approach by loading passengers directly in the vertical flying position. This eliminates the need for post-loading actuation while maintaining loading comfort through the vertical platform design.
4Area of stationary object
If a single loading station is used, then space efficiency is improved, but privacy and comfort during loading are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The loading station utilizes vertical space by stacking multiple platforms one above another. This three-dimensional arrangement provides privacy for each passenger group while maintaining a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between space efficiency and privacy/comfort.
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 vertical loading and unloading system enhances passenger comfort, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, and offers increased privacy and space efficiency by allowing each vehicle to have its own loading platform, providing a unique ride experience.
Implementation Method 1
gravity causes the vehicle to follow the track through the ride path
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a ride system to provide passengers a flying roller coaster experience. The ride system includes a train of vehicles, with each of the vehicles including seat assemblies that have a seat and seat back for receiving a passenger. The vehicles are supported by the track to roll along the track, and the ride path is adapted for gravity-based movement of the train of vehicles in at least portions of the ride path. The track includes a vertical segment, and the ride system includes a station including a platform assembly with horizontal platforms vertically spaced-apart to provide multi-level loading. The train is positioned on the vertical segment with each of the vehicles proximate to an end of one of the horizontal platforms. The seat backs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track to provide vertical loading and, then, vertical launching from the station.