Modular omnidirectional floor for accessible amusement park ride boarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement park rides face challenges in accommodating passengers with disabilities, mobility impairments, or young children, as they require longer boarding and deboarding times, which can reduce ride capacity and increase wait times.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an auxiliary mobility platform with modular floors composed of active tiles, allowing for independent movement of carriages and passengers, which assists in boarding and deboarding by positioning carriages and passengers relative to each other.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ride vehicle moves slower or stops longer to allow passengers with disabilities to deboard, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of deboardingVSAvoidride capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the boarding/deboarding function into two independent segments: the main ride vehicle continues its cycle without stopping, while a separate auxiliary mobility platform handles the slow movement and positioning of carriages for passengers with disabilities. This segmentation allows the main ride to maintain high speed and capacity while the auxiliary system provides customized assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An auxiliary mobility platform acts as an intermediary between the stationary boarding area and the moving ride vehicle. This intermediary platform moves carriages independently to match passenger needs, eliminating the requirement for the main ride vehicle to slow down or stop, thereby maintaining ride capacity while accommodating passengers with disabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the ride vehicle is spaced sufficiently along the ride pathway to accommodate increased boarding time, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboarding timeVSAvoidride capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary mobility platform serves as an intermediary that handles carriage positioning independently of the main ride vehicle spacing. This allows carriages to be delivered to the boarding area at the appropriate pace without requiring increased spacing between ride vehicles, maintaining both operational ease and ride capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary mobility platform performs preliminary actions by positioning carriages and assisting passengers with disabilities before the main ride vehicle arrives. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for the ride vehicle to wait or slow down, maintaining the scheduled timing and spacing of vehicles along the pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the ride vehicle stops longer for boarding and deboarding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboarding convenienceVSAvoidwait time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the boarding process into two timeframes: the main ride vehicle maintains its rapid cycle time for most passengers, while the auxiliary mobility platform operates on a separate, slower timeline to accommodate passengers with disabilities. This segmentation prevents the main ride from experiencing time losses due to extended boarding requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary mobility platform acts as a time-buffer intermediary, absorbing the time required for passengers with disabilities to board and deboard without transmitting this time delay to the main ride vehicle schedule. This intermediary function eliminates wait time increases for the overall ride operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the boarding area is arranged to accommodate passengers with disabilities, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaneuverability for passengers with disabilitiesVSAvoidboarding area arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the boarding area into two functional zones: a simple main boarding area for the ride vehicle that maintains its original simple arrangement, and a separate auxiliary mobility platform area that provides specialized maneuverability. This segmentation allows complex accommodations for passengers with disabilities without complicating the main boarding area design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250114714A1Systems and methods utilizing modular omnidirectional actuated floors in an amusement park ride

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A system for moving passengers is disclosed. The system includes an auxiliary mobility platform including a plurality of tiles, the plurality of tiles includes a first plurality of tiles defining a loading region and a second plurality of tiles defining an intermediate region. The system also includes a carriage positioned on the auxiliary mobility platform and defining a passenger compartment, the carriage movable by the auxiliary mobility platform, and a carrier vehicle to support the carriage and movable along a predefined ride pathway.