Operator Gondola Crane Station for Safe Object Repositioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement parks face challenges in attracting repeat visitors and introducing innovative guest experiences that allow users to actively operate machinery safely and entertainingly.
Innovation Solution
An amusement activity station comprising a crane apparatus with a lower fixed portion, an upper movable portion, and an operator gondola, enabling users to manually operate machinery to lift and reposition heavy objects, featuring a winch system, telescopic boom arms, and rotational limits for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users actively operate machinery to lift and reposition heavy objects, then visitor engagement and skill promotion are improved, but safety risks and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the user and the crane machinery. The system includes control inputs that the user operates, and a control system that processes these inputs to safely control the crane boom assembly, winch assembly, and gondola movement, thereby mediating between user action and heavy object manipulation while ensuring safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control system monitors the state of the crane apparatus and provides appropriate responses to user inputs. The system processes control inputs and adjusts machinery operation accordingly, creating a feedback loop that enhances safety while maintaining user engagement and skill development
2Adaptability or versatility
If a full-scale crane system is used, then realistic machinery operation experience is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and isolates the essential functional elements of a crane system (boom assembly, winch assembly, gondola) and removes unnecessary complexity. The simplified crane apparatus focuses on core lifting and positioning functions while eliminating redundant systems, creating a manageable yet realistic training environment
Solution Approach 2:
The crane system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a gondola for operator positioning, a boom assembly for lifting, and a winch assembly for cable control. Each module can be independently controlled and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while preserving realistic operation experience
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual control of heavy objects is enabled, then skill development is improved, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control where the gondola can rotate about a vertical axis and the boom assembly can articulate, allowing users to develop spatial awareness and coordination skills. The control system adapts to user inputs and provides smooth, controlled movement that facilitates skill development while managing precision requirements through progressive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An amusement activity station enables a user to pick up and reposition machine-movable objects. The amusement activity station includes a crane apparatus and an operator gondola. The crane apparatus includes fixed pedestal and a movable boom apparatus. The boom apparatus is rotatable about a station axis of rotation and includes a bridge arm and an operable boom assembly. The boom assembly has a distal boom end and includes an object-to-boom linkage mechanism. The operator gondola is anchored to the bridge arm and provides a user-to-machine interface. The operator gondola is rotatable in unison with an upper machine portion by way of the bridge arm, and a roller enables movement of the operator gondola atop a support surface. The linkage mechanism links machine-movable objects to the distal boom end, and the boom assembly is maneuverable for lifting and repositioning the machine-movable objects by way of the user-to-machine interface.