Intersecting Path Ride Mechanism for Near-Miss Thrills

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinning vehicle rides in amusement parks require exact turntable synchronization, have high maintenance costs due to complex handoff mechanisms, and offer predictable paths with no straight sections, limiting the thrill and intuitiveness of near-miss interactions.

Innovation Solution

An amusement park ride with intersecting linear vehicle paths guided by open-channel track members, where vehicle subassemblies are constrained to individual tracks and connected via a pivotally coupled connection link, allowing for near-miss interactions without the need for synchronization or complex handoff mechanisms, using a drive mechanism to rotate a crank arm and move subassemblies along defined paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If exact turntable synchronization is used in existing spinning vehicle rides, then near-miss interactions are achieved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenear-miss interaction reliabilityVSAvoidturntable synchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the synchronization requirement entirely from the system by using independent linear tracks instead of interconnected turntables. Each vehicle subassembly operates independently on its own track, eliminating the need for complex synchronization mechanisms while maintaining near-miss interactions through the intersecting track geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ride system is segmented into independent vehicle subassemblies that each operate on dedicated linear track elements. This segmentation allows each subassembly to function independently without requiring coordination with other subassemblies, thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving the near-miss effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex handoff mechanisms are used to move vehicles between turntables, then vehicle movement between platforms is enabled, but maintenance costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle movement capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the handoff mechanism entirely by designing a system where vehicles operate independently on their own tracks. The intersecting linear track geometry allows vehicles to pass each other at intersection points without requiring physical transfer or handoff between different turntables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Each vehicle subassembly serves itself by operating independently on its dedicated track. The system eliminates the need for complex handoff mechanisms by allowing vehicles to autonomously navigate the intersecting track layout and pass each other at intersection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If vehicles are constrained to circular paths of constant radius, then ride structure is simplified, but near-miss interactions become predictable and less thrilling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrack structure complexityVSAvoidride predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using curved circular paths, the patent inverts the approach by using straight linear tracks that intersect. This inversion creates unpredictable near-miss interactions because vehicles traveling on perpendicular or intersecting linear paths cannot anticipate each other's position as easily as they would on predictable circular paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric intersecting linear track configurations rather than symmetric circular paths. The linear tracks intersect at various angles and positions, creating asymmetric movement patterns that increase unpredictability and thrill while actually simplifying the overall track structure compared to complex circular turntables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Reliability

If multiple turntables are used for vehicle interaction, then near-miss experiences are enhanced, but synchronization requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenear-miss interaction qualityVSAvoidturntable synchronization system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the turntable component entirely from the system, replacing it with independent linear track elements. This elimination of turntables removes the synchronization requirement while preserving the near-miss interaction quality through the intersecting linear path geometry where vehicles pass each other at intersection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 ride provides a non-intuitive and thrilling experience with close interactions between vehicles, reducing maintenance costs and eliminating the need for vehicle handoffs, while allowing for various path configurations and passenger vehicle designs.

Implementation Method 1

a drive mechanism such as a motor for rotating a crank arm, which is rigidly attached at one end to the drive mechanism and pivotally coupled at the second or distal end to an intermediate mounting point on the connection link. The drive mechanism is operated to rotate the crank arm to rotate the distal end through a circular pattern/path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrank mechanism: Crankshaft

Implementation Method 2

Vehicle subassemblies are connected together via a connection link (e.g., a rigid bar/arm or rigid frame) to define a vehicle positioning assembly, with each vehicle subassembly being pivotally coupled to the connection link

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS8647212B2Intersecting path ride
Publication Date: 2014.02.11 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC
  • US8647212B2 patent drawing
  • US8647212B2 patent drawing
  • US8647212B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An intersecting path ride providing close vehicle interaction without risk of collision. The ride includes a track assembly defining first and second linear, open channels bisecting at a vehicle path intersection point. The ride includes first and second vehicle guides movable within the channels. The ride includes first and second vehicle subassemblies supported by the guides, and the vehicle subassemblies move or reciprocate with the guides along linear paths defined by the channels. The ride includes a vehicle positioning assembly that concurrently reciprocates the guides back and forth along the linear channels through the intersection point. The vehicle positioning assembly includes a connection link pivotally coupled to the guides, a drive motor with an output shaft, and a crank arm rigidly coupled to the output shaft at one end and pivotally coupled to the connection link at another end moving the midpoint of the link through a circular drive path.