Interactive Water Shield for Boat Rides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water rides lack passenger interactivity, with riders having little control over getting wet, and opportunities for defensive interaction are limited, leading to a lack of engagement and excitement.
Innovation Solution
A passenger boat equipped with a water shield assembly and actuation system that allows riders to position and rotate a shield along the boat's perimeter, enabling them to control water entry and protect themselves from incoming water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed shield structure is used to protect passengers from water, then protection effectiveness is improved, but passenger interactivity and engagement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic, movable structure that passengers can reposition. The shield assembly includes a shield member that can be moved along a track or rail system, allowing passengers to adjust its position to block water from different directions as the boat moves through the water ride course.
Solution Approach 2:
Passengers serve themselves by directly operating the shield positioning mechanism. Each passenger has control capability over the shield's position, allowing them to independently adjust protection levels based on their personal water exposure preferences and the upcoming ride conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a movable shield system is added to allow passenger control, then passenger interactivity is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shield system is segmented into modular components including the shield member, track or rail structure, and actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows for simplified design and maintenance of each component while enabling the overall system to provide complex functionality through coordinated operation of its parts.
Solution Approach 2:
A simple intermediary mechanism such as a cable, rod, or pneumatic/hydraulic actuator is used to translate passenger input into shield movement. This intermediary component bridges the gap between the simple passenger control interface and the complex shield positioning requirement, reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shield positions are available for strategic positioning, then tactical engagement and teamwork are improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shield system provides continuous or discrete positioning options along a track or rail, enabling passengers to dynamically adjust the shield's location to block water from various angles. This adaptability allows strategic positioning to match different ride conditions and passenger preferences without requiring an overly complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield positioning system is designed to serve multiple functions: blocking water from front, side, or rear directions; accommodating different passenger heights and preferences; and adapting to varying water flow conditions throughout the ride. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified track-and-shield design that can accommodate various positioning scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger boat configured for interactively shielding passengers from incoming water. The boat includes a hull with seats for receiving passengers and a rider interactive assembly with an input element for receiving input from the passengers. The boat also includes a water shield supported on the hull and an actuation system operating in response to the input from the passengers to move the water shield from a first position to a second position relative to the seats. In some cases, the water shield is mounted on the hull to travel within a channel extending about a perimeter of the hull located on an outboard side of the seats. Then, the water shield may include a wall that extends substantially vertically from the channel.