Omnitable Ride System with Dynamic Vehicle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Omnimover rides provide high capacity but offer a predictable and similar experience due to constant speed and limited vehicle movement, lacking the excitement and variability desired by modern amusement park visitors.
Innovation Solution
An omnitable ride system utilizing a rotating turntable with a central loading platform, where vehicles are attached to a translation mechanism that changes radial position and height, allowing for varying velocities and dynamic movement through a show space, enhancing immersion and variability while maintaining high capacity and simple propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vehicles move at constant speed along a fixed path, then the ride system is simple to operate and reliable, but the ride experience becomes predictable and lacks variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic vehicle positioning where vehicles can change their radial position relative to the turntable center during rotation. This allows vehicles to move between different radii, creating variable ride experiences while the turntable itself maintains simple constant-speed rotation. The dynamic adjustment of vehicle positions provides adaptability without requiring complex control of the entire propulsion system.
Solution Approach 2:
The ride system divides the circular path into multiple radial positions or zones. Vehicles can be positioned at different radii from the center, creating segmented ride experiences within the same rotating platform. This segmentation allows for variability in ride intensity and experience while maintaining the simplicity of the overall turntable rotation mechanism.
2Productivity
If vehicles are closely spaced to achieve high throughput, then daily capacity increases, but passenger space in each vehicle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension perpendicular to the direction of motion to increase passenger space. By allowing vehicles to position themselves at different radii from the turntable center, the system creates additional spatial volume for passengers without increasing the linear spacing between vehicles along the circular path. This dimensional approach resolves the conflict between high throughput and adequate passenger space.
3Productivity
If the turntable rotates at higher speeds to increase throughput, then daily capacity improves, but loading and unloading becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle radial positions based on operational phase. During loading and unloading, vehicles position themselves at larger radii where the linear speed is higher but the centrifugal forces are more manageable and the distance from the stationary platform is optimized. The turntable maintains relatively slow rotation during these phases while allowing vehicles to optimize their positions for efficient passenger transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by allowing vehicles to adjust their radial position dynamically. This parameter change enables the system to optimize for different operational requirements: at certain radii for efficient loading/unloading, at other radii for enhanced ride experience, all while the turntable rotates at controlled speeds.
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
The omnitable ride system provides a unique and exciting experience with variable vehicle speeds and spacing, increasing passenger engagement and ride dynamics while preserving the benefits of traditional omnimover systems such as high throughput and simple operation.
Implementation Method 1
A ride system is provided that may be operated to achieve an omnimover ride with a generally circular path. Significantly, passenger vehicles are 'chained' together, but the vehicles may have varying velocities by changing their radial positions along differing portions of the ride path
Implementation Method 2
each of the passenger vehicles is coupled to the turntable with a translation mechanism (which may also be thought of as a vehicle attachment and positioning assembly)
Data Source
AI summary
A circular omnimover or omnitable ride system. The ride system includes a stationary, centrally-located platform for loading and unloading passengers. A turntable assembly is provided that includes a turntable with an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the platform. The turntable has a centrally-located hole or passageway defined by an inner sidewall to receiving the non-rotating platform. Passenger vehicles are mounted along an outer edge of the turntable via translation mechanisms. A drive mechanism rotates the turntable about a central axis at a constant rate. The vehicles are moved through a station space and a show space during one or two full rotations of the turntable. The passenger vehicles are loaded and unloaded in the station space via the platform and then dispatched by the translation mechanism into the show space, which may involve increasing the vehicle's radius and changing its vertical position relative to the turntable.