Linear Magnetic Anti-Roll Back Assembly for Amusement Rides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anti-roll back (ARB) systems in amusement park rides are noisy and prone to wear due to the clanking of pawls on stops, and existing solutions for quieter operation often fail at higher speeds or require significant maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An ARB assembly using a linear magnetic brake or eddy current assembly to automatically position the ARB pawl in a suspended state while traveling forward, preventing unwanted impacts and noise, and lowering into engagement when reversing, utilizing a reaction plate and pivot pin mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gravity-actuated ARB pawls are used, then the vehicle is reliably prevented from moving backward, but the system generates loud clanking noise and excessive wear on the pawls and stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical gravity-actuated pawl system with an electromechanical system using a linear actuator (screw drive mechanism) to position the ARB pawl. This substitution eliminates the continuous mechanical contact and impact between the pawl and stops, thereby reducing noise and wear while maintaining reliable backward motion prevention through controlled engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The ARB pawl is designed to be dynamically positionable between an engaged position (for backward motion prevention) and a disengaged/suspended position (during forward travel). The linear actuator enables the pawl to move between these positions based on vehicle direction, reducing unnecessary contact and impact during normal operation while maintaining reliability when needed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If magnetic coupler systems are used to suspend the ARB, then noise is reduced, but the system fails at higher vehicle speeds and requires significant maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic coupler system with an electromechanical linear actuator system that uses a screw drive mechanism. This substitution provides positive mechanical control of the ARB pawl position that is reliable at all vehicle speeds, eliminating the speed limitations and maintenance issues associated with magnetic coupler systems while still achieving noise reduction through controlled engagement.
3Reliability
If the ARB pawl is continuously engaged to prevent backward motion, then safety is maximized, but wear and noise increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ARB pawl is dynamically positioned based on vehicle travel direction. During forward travel, the pawl is suspended/disengaged to minimize contact and reduce wear and noise. When backward motion is detected or required, the linear actuator positions the pawl into the engaged position to provide safety. This dynamic positioning maintains safety while minimizing harmful effects during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear actuator system automatically positions the ARB pawl based on vehicle direction without requiring continuous mechanical contact or manual intervention. The system self-regulates engagement and disengagement, providing safety only when necessary and reducing wear and noise during normal forward operation.
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 solution effectively reduces noise pollution and wear by maintaining the ARB pawl in a suspended position during forward travel and engaging it only when necessary, thereby enhancing ride safety and reducing maintenance needs across a range of speeds.
Implementation Method 1
An ARB assembly makes use of a linear magnetic brake (or eddy current) assembly to propel or force the ARB pawl or body to rotate about a mounting pin/axle
Implementation Method 2
An electrically conductive reaction plate or fin is provided in the ARB assembly and is mechanically mounted or linked to the ARB body
Data Source
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AI summary
An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly (110) for use with vehicles that ride on a track (108), which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins (290). The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly (270) positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element (120) with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate (130) supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins.