Gravity-Powered Amusement Ride Vertical Zipline
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for compact amusement rides that require little to no power and can operate in limited spaces, such as on luxury cruise liners, while providing a high thrill value to riders.
Innovation Solution
A human-powered amusement ride system that includes a height/climbing component, a primary drop component with a static or dynamic tether system, and a traverse component, which utilizes a dual line safety system with counterweights and baffle devices to enhance the experience, allowing participants to ascend via ladders or climbing structures and descend in a controlled pendular motion, with optional features like a roller seat or launch tube for added excitement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amusement ride is installed to provide high thrill value, then the thrill experience is improved, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the amusement ride from a horizontal plane to a vertical dimension by utilizing the height of the cruise ship deck. The zipline system extends vertically from the upper deck to the lower deck, allowing participants to experience thrilling descent through vertical space rather than requiring extensive horizontal area. This dimensional shift enables high thrill value within the constrained deck space of the cruise ship.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex power system is installed to operate the amusement ride, then the ride functionality is improved, but the power requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The zipline amusement ride is designed to be self-powered through the gravitational potential energy of the participants themselves. As participants descend from the upper deck to the lower deck, their weight and gravitational force drive the pulley system and tether mechanisms, eliminating the need for external power sources. The system converts the participants' descent into the mechanical energy needed to operate the ride, including retracting tethers and controlling descent speed.
3Reliability
If safety systems are added to ensure participant safety, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pulley system as an intermediary mechanism between the participant and the anchor point. This pulley acts as a mediator that controls the tether tension and participant descent, providing safety through mechanical advantage and controlled motion. The pulley system simplifies the overall safety mechanism by using a single, well-understood mechanical component rather than multiple complex safety systems.
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 effectively operates in limited spaces with minimal power usage, providing a thrilling experience by leveraging gravity and human power, while ensuring safety through tethered attachments and operator control, and can be adapted for various locations without significant deck space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The counterweights move the actual cable within the dual line system in such a way as to cause stop blocks to be positioned at either a loading or operating position
Implementation Method 2
The participant then falls and swings freely in a pendular motion from the anchor point
Implementation Method 3
The baffle system causes the same effect described above, shrouding the participant in darkness while slowing the participant down and changing their vector
Data Source
AI summary
An amusement ride requires the participant to ascend to a platform for the beginning of the amusement ride via a single or a double helix ladder. The participants are tethered for safety. Operators attend the tether lines. The tethers also can run through belays for safety.