Hydraulic Restraint Bar Pressure Staging for Adjustable Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for passenger restraint devices in rides like roller coasters face issues with fixed closed positions leading to inadequate or excessive restraint due to varying passenger sizes, compromising safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with a valve arrangement that switches between multiple pressure stages, allowing the piston to move between open and closed positions, enabling adjustable restraint bar positioning based on passenger size, and incorporating a hydraulic accumulator for recharging and a differential cylinder design for compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed closed position is used for the restraint bar, then the device structure is simple, but the restraint effectiveness is inadequate for passengers of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint bar is transformed from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position through the hydraulic cylinder unit with movable piston, allowing the closed position to adapt to different passenger sizes while maintaining structural integrity through the controlled hydraulic system
2Force
If the hydraulic pump pressurizes the hydraulic cylinder unit with high pressure, then the closing force is sufficient, but the opening operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system operates in periodic cycles with distinct pressure phases: high pressure from the hydraulic pump during closing operations, and controlled pressure release through the valve arrangement during opening operations, allowing the system to alternate between forceful closing and easy opening
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangement acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic cylinder unit, regulating and controlling the hydraulic pressure to enable both strong closing force and easy opening operation by managing the pressure flow and release timing
3Reliability
If the hydraulic accumulator pressurizes the hydraulic cylinder unit, then the closing operation is reliable, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic accumulator performs preliminary action by pre-storing hydraulic energy in advance, which is then automatically released to ensure reliable closing operation without requiring complex real-time control systems, thereby maintaining reliability while limiting complexity
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 passenger safety and comfort by allowing customizable restraint adjustment, reducing manufacturing costs, and ensuring reliable operation with power failure safety features.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic pump is configured to pressurize the hydraulic cylinder unit so that the piston moves from the first closed position to the open position
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic accumulator is configured to pressurize the hydraulic cylinder unit so that the piston moves from the open position to the first closed position
Implementation Method 3
The valve arrangement can be switched into at least a first switching position and a second switching position. The hydraulic cylinder unit is pressurized by the hydraulic pump in the first switching position with a first pressure stage and the hydraulic cylinder unit is pressurized by the hydraulic pump in the second switching position with a second pressure stage
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system for a passenger restraint device includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic section. The hydraulic section includes a hydraulic accumulator, a valve arrangement and a hydraulic cylinder unit with a piston. The valve arrangement is connected to the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic accumulator and the hydraulic cylinder unit. The piston can be moved between an open position and a first closed position. The hydraulic pump can pressurize the hydraulic cylinder unit so that the piston moves from the first closed position to the open position. The hydraulic accumulator is configured so that the piston moves from the open position to the first closed position. The hydraulic cylinder unit can be pressurized in a first switching position of the valve arrangement with a first pressure stage and in a second switching position of the valve arrangement with a second pressure stage lower than the first pressure stage.