Mobile Ferris Wheel Structure Without a Main Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile Ferris wheels require the use of cranes for assembly and disassembly, which is time-consuming, costly, and poses safety risks due to the handling of heavy main shafts, and they often necessitate custom-made production steps.
Innovation Solution
A Ferris wheel design without a main shaft, utilizing two aligned shafts with self-adjusting bearings and fixed moment connections between spokes and spoke rings, allowing for faster assembly and disassembly without cranes, and incorporating double spokes and crossbars for enhanced stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a main shaft is used in the Ferris wheel design, then the structural stiffness and stability are improved, but the assembly and disassembly time increases and requires a crane
Solution Approach 1:
The single main shaft is segmented into two separate shafts (first shaft and second shaft), each supported by independent mast pairs. This segmentation allows the Ferris wheel to be assembled and disassembled in smaller sections without requiring a crane, while the distributed support structure maintains overall structural stiffness through the coordinated arrangement of both shafts and their respective masts.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a main shaft is used in the Ferris wheel design, then the structural stability is improved, but the cost of assembly equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main shaft is divided into two separate shafts that can be handled and assembled using simpler, less expensive equipment. The segmentation reduces the weight and size of individual components, eliminating the need for expensive crane equipment while maintaining structural stability through the distributed support system of two mast pairs and two shafts working in coordination.
3Strength
If a main shaft is used in the Ferris wheel design, then the structural integrity is improved, but the safety risks during assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy main shaft is segmented into two lighter shafts that can be safely handled and assembled without crane equipment. This segmentation reduces the lifting hazards and safety risks associated with handling extremely heavy components, while the structural integrity is maintained through the coordinated design of two shafts supported by independent mast pairs with proper load distribution.
4Strength
If a main shaft is custom made in a separate production step, then the structural requirements are met, but the production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The custom-made main shaft is segmented into two standard shafts that can be produced using conventional manufacturing processes rather than requiring specialized custom production. This segmentation enables the use of off-the-shelf components or standard manufacturing procedures, significantly reducing production time and cost while meeting all structural requirements through the combined configuration of the two shafts and their support systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a Ferris wheel with two pairs of masts (11, 12, 21, 22), which are each moveable between a folded position and a stretched position. The Ferris wheel comprises multiple spokes (10), a first and a second spoke ring for mounting the spokes, a first shaft (13), which is mounted fixedly on the top of the first pair of masts, around which the first spoke ring is arranged rotatably by means of a first self-adjusting bearing, a second shaft (23), which is mounted fixedly on the top of the second pair of masts, around which the second spoke ring is arranged rotatably by means of a second self-adjusting bearing, wherein, when the Ferris wheel is in use, the second shaft is substantially in line with the first shaft at a distance from the first shaft, wherein the spokes and the spoke rings are arranged for realizing a fixed moment connection. The invention further relates to a method for building the Ferris wheel according to the invention.