Modular Ride Vehicle Interlocks for Dynamic Cluster Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ride vehicles in amusement parks lack flexibility in configuring cluster sizes and experiences, often providing a single unified experience without the ability to dynamically change or split into smaller subsets during a ride, limiting the variety of experiences for passengers.
Innovation Solution
A system of modular ride vehicle modules that can link and delink seamlessly, controlled by control circuitry and communication circuitry, allowing for dynamic configuration of cluster sizes and independent or synchronized movement, enhancing the ride experience with unexpected changes and multiple experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ride vehicles are designed as separate and distinct vehicles or integral vehicles coupled together on fixed tracks, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility in configuring cluster sizes and experiences is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ride vehicle system is divided into multiple independent ride vehicle modules that can be separately manufactured and then dynamically coupled together. Each module contains its own propulsion system, control circuitry, and communication circuitry, enabling flexible configuration of cluster sizes by linking or separating modules during the ride experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed-track coupling to dynamic modular coupling where ride vehicle modules can be linked and separated during operation. The interlock system allows modules to dynamically reconfigure their cluster sizes based on ride conditions, providing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ride vehicles are designed as integral vehicles on fixed tracks, then the reliability is high, but the ability to dynamically change or split into smaller subsets during a ride is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The modules are pre-configured with all necessary propulsion, control, and communication systems before the ride begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that when modules dynamically link or separate during the ride, the system maintains reliability because each module is self-sufficient and already equipped with the required functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry continuously monitors the status and position of each module through communication circuitry, enabling real-time coordination during linking and separating operations. This feedback mechanism ensures that dynamic reconfiguration maintains system reliability by coordinating actions across all modules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ride vehicle modules link and delink seamlessly with dynamic configuration, then the adaptability and passenger experience are enhanced, but the control and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each ride vehicle module is designed as a universal unit with identical propulsion systems, control circuitry, and communication interfaces. This multi-functionality allows any module to operate independently or be coupled with any other module, simplifying control coordination despite the complexity of dynamic reconfiguration by reducing the number of unique control scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a plurality of ride vehicle modules, where each of the plurality of ride vehicle modules includes an interlock system configured to perform linking operations to join to other ride vehicle modules to form a cluster and delinking operations to separate from the other ride vehicle modules throughout a ride, control circuitry configured to control the interlock system and movement of the respective ride vehicle module independently or as a part of the cluster, and communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the other ride vehicle modules internal and/or external to the cluster. The cluster may change sizes throughout the ride by performing linking and delinking operations as desired. A method for changing the size of clusters of ride vehicle modules throughout a ride is also disclosed.