Omnimover Transfer Vehicle Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement park omnimover rides pose challenges in providing seamless access for guests with disabilities, as the constant movement of vehicles makes loading and unloading difficult, requiring the ride to be stopped, which disrupts the experience and poses safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle transfer system that allows for the selective transfer of vehicles into and out of a moving train using a turntable and control system, enabling loading and unloading without slowing the ride, utilizing mechanisms like turntables, mechanical assemblies, and magnets to synchronize with the train's movement, ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the omnimover ride operates at constant speed to maintain synchronized show experience, then the ride quality and show synchronization are improved, but loading and unloading guests with disabilities becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A transfer vehicle serves as an intermediary between the stationary loading platform and the moving omnimover vehicles. The transfer vehicle is first loaded with guests with disabilities at a stationary position, then transferred to the moving train while it maintains constant speed. This intermediary vehicle resolves the contradiction by decoupling the loading operation from the motion state of the main ride system.
Solution Approach 2:
Guests with disabilities are loaded into the transfer vehicle in advance while the omnimover train passes by or is stationary at the loading point. The transfer vehicle is prepared and positioned beforehand, allowing the main ride to continue its synchronized operation without interruption. This preliminary loading action eliminates the need to stop the ride for accessibility accommodations.
2Ease of operation
If the ride is stopped to load and unload guests with disabilities, then accessibility is improved, but the show experience is interrupted and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer vehicle acts as a mediator that enables accessibility operations without requiring the main ride to stop. The transfer vehicle can be loaded and unloaded at stationary positions while the omnimover train continues moving at constant speed, maintaining show synchronization and eliminating interruptions to the guest experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading and unloading operations are segmented into separate transfer vehicle operations rather than requiring the entire ride train to stop. This segmentation allows the main ride to continue its synchronized show experience while accessibility needs are met through the independent transfer vehicle system.
3Ease of operation
If the ride stops for loading and unloading, then guests with disabilities can board and alight safely, but productivity and ride capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer vehicle serves as a safety-enabled intermediary that allows guests with disabilities to board and alight without the ride stopping. The transfer vehicle handles the safety-critical loading/unloading operations at stationary positions while the main ride maintains continuous motion and full productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ride maintains continuous motion and operational capacity while the transfer vehicle handles loading and unloading of guests with disabilities. This continuity ensures that the omnimover system operates at full productivity with no interruptions, while still providing safe and accessible boarding/alighting through the transfer vehicle mechanism.
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
Facilitates the seamless loading and unloading of guests with special needs without interrupting the ride, maintaining the synchronized experience and enhancing safety by allowing passengers to load and unload at their own pace without stopping the ride.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation rate is selected based on the ride speed so as to synchronize the rotation of the turntable with the travel of the train of vehicles
Implementation Method 2
The turntable includes an engagement mechanism at a position on the periphery or edge of the turntable that is selectively operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for transferring passenger-carrying vehicles to and from an amusement park ride conveying a train of vehicles without stopping for passenger loading. The assembly includes a transfer vehicle and a vehicle receiver positioned in the vehicle train. The vehicle receiver includes a connection mechanism, such as an electromagnet selectively operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle. A turntable is positioned adjacent to the track and selectively rotates at a rotation rate. The turntable includes an engagement mechanism, such as an electromagnet, on its periphery operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle (e.g., to capture when the vehicle receiver releases and vice versa). The rotation rate and the ride speed synchronize turntable rotation with travel of the train to mesh placement of the turntable engagement mechanism proximate to the connection mechanism of the vehicle receiver to facilitate hand off of the transfer vehicle without stopping the vehicle train.