Movable-Wall Maze Attractions for Performance-Based Ride Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park attractions lack variability and interactivity, failing to meet the increasing sophistication and expectations of modern guests.
Innovation Solution
A maze attraction system featuring movable walls and lifts that adjust ride vehicle paths based on rider performance in a game environment, providing multiple levels and interactive experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed path ride attraction is used, then the ride operation is simple and reliable, but the entertainment experience lacks variability and interactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by implementing movable walls that can change position during the ride operation. The walls transition from fixed to movable states, allowing the ride path to be dynamically adjusted based on real-time game performance metrics. This enables the same physical infrastructure to provide multiple different ride experiences without requiring completely separate track layouts for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of wall position from static to variable. By controlling the position parameter of the walls based on game performance data, the attraction can offer different paths and experiences while using the same physical components. This parameter change approach allows variability in ride experience without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed paths are provided, then riders have more route options, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of building multiple fixed parallel paths, the patent uses a single physical path with movable walls that can dynamically block or open different sections. This dynamic configuration allows the same infrastructure to serve multiple route options, reducing the number of physical paths needed while maintaining path variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable walls serve multiple functions: they act as path separators, dynamic obstacles, and experience controllers. A single set of walls can create different path configurations for different game outcomes, making the wall system universal rather than requiring dedicated structures for each possible path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable walls are introduced to enable path changes, then ride variability improves, but the reliability and operational simplicity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback loops where ride vehicle performance data is continuously monitored and used to control wall positions. This automated feedback mechanism ensures that path changes occur only under controlled conditions based on verified performance metrics, maintaining operational reliability while enabling interactive adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is pre-programmed with the logic and rules for when and how to adjust wall positions based on game performance. This preliminary configuration ensures that all path changes follow predetermined reliable criteria, reducing the need for complex real-time decision-making and maintaining operational consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A maze attraction system is provided, the maze attraction system comprising a maze defined by a plurality of walls, and one or more controllers configured to present a game environment to one or more riders in a ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travels through the maze, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a first movable wall positioned along a first path and a second movable wall positioned along a second path, the first movable wall and the second movable wall are each configured to move between a respective first position to block passage of the ride vehicle and a respective second position to enable passage of the ride vehicle, the one or more controllers are configured to select and to move one of the first movable wall or the second movable wall from the respective first position to the respective second position to enable passage of the ride vehicle along the first path or the second path, respectively, based at least in part on a performance of the one or more riders in the game environment.