Pivotable Track Switching Element for Thrilling Ride Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current amusement park ride track switching elements fail to provide a safe yet thrilling experience for riders, lacking innovative designs that enhance the entertainment value.
Innovation Solution
A tilt and drop track switching element featuring a pivotable track section with a longitudinally extending support beam and rail system, allowing the ride car to pivot from a first track to a second track, incorporating support structures, braking, and motion control systems for safe and thrilling transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional track switching element is used, then the ride car can be switched between tracks, but the ride experience lacks thrill and excitement
Solution Approach 1:
The track section is made dynamically movable rather than fixed, allowing it to tilt and drop during ride operation. This creates thrilling motion for riders while maintaining safe track switching functionality between different track configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The track system is divided into separable sections including a movable track section that can be independently positioned. This segmentation enables the track to switch between different configurations (first track to second track) while incorporating exciting tilt and drop movements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pivotable track section is added to enable track switching, then track versatility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable track section incorporates dynamic movement capabilities (tilting and dropping) that serve multiple functions simultaneously - both track switching and rider excitement generation - thereby managing complexity through multi-functionality rather than adding separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The movable track section serves multiple purposes: it enables track switching between different paths, creates thrilling tilt and drop motions, and provides structural support for the ride car. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining several functions in one 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
Enables a novel and thrilling ride experience by safely switching the ride car between tracks, utilizing pivotable mechanisms and control systems to manage motion and positioning, ensuring both safety and excitement.
Implementation Method 1
a pivotable track section having a longitudinally extending support beam having a longitudinally extending upper surface, a first end and a second end, the support beam having pivot means located between the first end and the second end
Data Source
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AI summary
In at least one embodiment the present invention provides a track switching element for providing a novel and thrilling ride experience in an amusement ride having a pivotable track section having a longitudinally extending support beam having a longitudinally extending upper surface, a first end and a second end, the support beam having pivot means located between the first end and the second end, and a longitudinally extending rail adapted to receive a vehicle and located adjacent the upper surface, the rail communicating with an entry rail section when the pivotable track section is in a first position; and a support structure for cooperating with the pivot means such that the pivotable track section is pivotable about the pivot means from the first position to at least a second position such that the rail communicates with an exit rail section in the second position.