Pneumatic Amusement Ride Vehicle Vertical Descent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertically moving amusement rides experience abrupt braking, lack passenger interaction, and have high installation and maintenance costs, leading to a monotonous and expensive experience for passengers.
Innovation Solution
A vertically moving amusement ride utilizing a pneumatic assembly with a control unit and valve system that simulates a drop on an air cushion, allowing for a more natural and controlled descent and ascent, and includes a manual actuating device for passenger interaction, reducing the need for traditional braking systems and enhancing the ride experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic brakes are used to stop the dropping movement, then the braking system has minimal wear problems, but the braking action is particularly abrupt and uncomfortable for passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary pneumatic cushion between the vehicle and the ground during the dropping movement. This air cushion acts as a mediator that gradually absorbs the impact energy, transforming the abrupt braking force into a progressive cushioning effect. The pneumatic system expands upon impact to provide a soft, gradual stopping action rather than an abrupt halt, thereby improving passenger comfort while maintaining braking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic assembly is pre-configured to deploy a cushioning air layer before the vehicle reaches the ground during the dropping phase. This beforehand cushioning prepares the braking interface in advance, ensuring that when the vehicle impacts the air cushion, the stopping action is already softened by the expanding pneumatic material. This eliminates the need for harsh mechanical brakes while maintaining controlled deceleration.
2Reliability
If traditional braking systems are used, then the vehicle can be stopped reliably, but the system complexity and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical braking system (magnetic or friction brakes) with a pneumatic braking mechanism. Instead of using complex mechanical components to generate friction or electromagnetic forces, the system uses compressed air and pneumatic pressure differentials to achieve braking. This substitution simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating wear-prone mechanical contact surfaces and reducing the number of moving parts while maintaining reliable stopping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles to create a braking system that uses gas pressure instead of mechanical friction. The pneumatic assembly generates braking force through pressure differentials and air cushion expansion, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical brake components. This pneumatic approach reduces system complexity, minimizes wear, and lowers maintenance requirements while preserving reliable vehicle stopping capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex movement systems are implemented to increase fun and adrenaline, then passenger excitement is enhanced, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the ride experience by dynamically changing pneumatic parameters (pressure, volume, cushioning characteristics) during the dropping movement rather than relying on complex mechanical movement systems. By adjusting the pneumatic assembly's expansion and cushioning properties in real-time, the system creates varied and exciting passenger experiences through parameter modulation alone, avoiding the need for expensive and complex mechanical structures while achieving diverse ride characteristics.
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 pneumatic system provides a comfortable and exciting experience with less abrupt stops, allowing passengers to feel in control, while reducing costs and complexity through the elimination of traditional braking systems and enhancing the thrill of the ride.
Implementation Method 1
simulates a drop on an air cushion
Implementation Method 2
pneumatic assembly with a control unit and valve system
Data Source
AI summary
An amusement moves vehicles at least vertically and comprises a vertical column; at least one vehicle to accommodate at least one passenger, movable at least along the vertical direction between maximum and minimum heights; a movement system for each vehicle configured to move the vehicle vertically; a control and command unit (CU) connected to the movement system; and, a pneumatic assembly comprising a cylinder and a piston which define a first chamber. The piston is connected to the vehicle to move between a maximum contraction position in which the vehicle is at the maximum height, and a maximum exposure position in which the vehicle is at the minimum height. The movement system comprises a first valve connected to the first chamber, whose opening and closing can be commanded by the control and command unit (CU) to control at least one movement of the vehicle.