Infrared Path Guidance for Reconfigurable Ride Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement parks face challenges in attracting guests and managing traffic with traditional rides, as they fail to provide unique experiences and safety mechanisms often require timely repairs, necessitating innovative and creative attractions that prioritize guest safety and engagement.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle guidance system utilizing infrared projections to define multiple paths on a surface, where vehicles equipped with infrared cameras and sensors follow programmed paths, allowing for dynamic changes in speed and direction, enhancing the ride experience while ensuring safety through automated navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional rides are added to increase capacity, then guest handling capacity is improved, but guest interest and engagement deteriorate due to lack of unique experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The ride system dynamically changes the vehicle paths using infrared projections that can be reconfigured without physical modifications. The paths are not fixed but can be altered by changing the infrared projection patterns, allowing the same ride infrastructure to provide varied and unique experiences while maintaining high capacity operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the ride by using different infrared projection patterns to define different paths. By varying the infrared projections (the parameter), the system creates unique ride experiences without changing the physical infrastructure, thus maintaining capacity while improving experience uniqueness
2Reliability
If mechanical safety mechanisms are installed to ensure guest safety, then safety is improved, but maintenance requirements and repair frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical safety guidance mechanisms with an optical/infrared-based guidance system. Vehicles follow paths defined by infrared projections detected by onboard sensors, eliminating the need for complex mechanical safety mechanisms that require frequent maintenance and repair
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical mechanical guides, the system creates optical copies of path information through infrared projections. The vehicles read these projected patterns with sensors, providing safety guidance without physical contact or mechanical wear
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed physical paths are installed to guide vehicles, then path definition is improved, but adaptability and reconfiguration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates optical copies of path information through infrared projections on the ground. These projected paths provide precise guidance for vehicles while being easily reconfigurable by changing the projection patterns, eliminating the need for expensive physical path modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The path definition transitions from static physical markings to dynamic infrared projections. The paths can be changed in real-time or between rides by simply altering the projection patterns, providing both precision and flexibility
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical attractions are built to provide unique experiences, then guest engagement is improved, but mechanical wear and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical attraction elements with a combination of projected infrared paths and vehicle-based control. The uniqueness comes from the programmable path variations and vehicle interactions rather than complex mechanical structures, reducing wear while maintaining engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The attraction creates unique experiences through dynamic path configurations and real-time vehicle control rather than fixed complex mechanical structures. The infrared projection system and onboard vehicle controllers work together to provide varied experiences with minimal mechanical wear
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 provides a unique and engaging experience for guests by creating unpredictable paths, reduces mechanical wear and safety concerns through automated navigation, and allows for easy alteration of ride configurations without significant facility costs, thereby addressing guest traffic and competitive advantages.
Implementation Method 1
each path of the multiple paths is defined by an infrared projection formed from infrared laser diodes affixed to structures
Implementation Method 2
infrared laser diodes affixed to structures (e.g., ceilings and/or walls of an attraction)
Implementation Method 3
an infrared camera/sensor mounted to its frame at a height sufficient to view the roadway in front of, behind, and/or around the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for guiding a vehicle is provided. The system includes multiple paths on a surface, wherein each path is defined by light projection characteristics of a respective light projection defining a respective path. The system also includes the vehicle. The vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect the light projection characteristic of the respective path of the multiple paths, and a controller guide the vehicle along the respective path with a light projection characteristic that matches an expected light projection characteristic that is assigned to the vehicle.