Grid Element Vehicle Control for Dynamic Maneuvers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional systems for controlling vehicle movements in amusement park attractions are limited in the types of maneuvers and effects they can create, failing to provide the excitement and visual stimulation that can be achieved through time-controlled actions like slow-motion and rapid acceleration.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising grid elements, an analytic system, and a control system that tracks vehicle information and actuates the grid elements to control vehicle movement, enabling near-instantaneous deceleration, 360° maneuvers, and rapid acceleration, creating the illusion of time-controlled action by coordinating the movement of vehicles through a dynamic driving area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional control systems are used for vehicle movements, then the system complexity is low, but the entertainment value and maneuver variety are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaneuver varietyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into multiple independent control units, each responsible for specific grid elements. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex maneuvers through coordinated simple units, resolving the contradiction between maneuver variety and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static control to dynamic control by continuously adjusting grid element states based on real-time vehicle position and desired maneuvers. This dynamic adaptation enables diverse maneuvers while maintaining manageable system complexity through responsive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If grid elements are actuated to control vehicle movement precisely, then the entertainment value increases, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaneuver precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system actuates only the necessary grid elements required for current maneuvers rather than all elements simultaneously. This partial action approach maintains precise vehicle control while significantly reducing energy consumption by activating only essential components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time vehicle tracking is implemented, then the control precision improves, but the measurement and detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidvehicle tracking difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where vehicle position is tracked in real-time and this information feeds back to adjust grid element actuation. This feedback mechanism ensures precise control while simplifying the detection process through iterative correction rather than requiring perfect single-shot measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3191906B1Systems and methods for controlling the transportation of vehicles
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP3191906B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3191906B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3191906B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A system may include a plurality of grid elements, an analytic system, and a control system. The plurality of grid elements are installed in a dynamic driving area in an attraction and are configured to perform based on command instructions received from the control system to control the movement of a vehicle disposed on the plurality of grid elements. The analytic system may be configured to track, via one or more sensors, vehicle information and to send the vehicle information to the control system via a communication module, and the control system may be configured to receive the vehicle information, to determine, via one or more processors, which of the grid elements to actuate and a corresponding manner of actuation based on a desired movement of the vehicle, and to send command instructions including performance data to each of the grid elements identified for actuation.