Amusement Ride Restraint Bar With Contact-Sensor Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing restraint devices for amusement rides are not adaptable to passengers of different sizes, leading to ineffective retention for smaller passengers and discomfort for larger ones, as they are designed for a standard range of body sizes and cannot be easily adjusted.
Innovation Solution
A restraint device with a movable bar and contact sensor that automatically adjusts to ensure proper contact with the passenger's body, preventing gaps and ensuring secure retention by locking only when the restraint element is in effective contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the restraint device is designed for standard passenger sizes, then it provides adequate retention for average passengers, but it fails to effectively retain smaller passengers and causes discomfort for larger passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device incorporates a movable bar that can dynamically adjust its position along the guide rail to accommodate different passenger sizes. The bar transitions from a fixed position in conventional devices to a movable component that can be positioned at multiple locations, enabling the restraint element to contact passengers of varying thigh lengths effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint device achieves universality by allowing the movable bar to serve multiple positions along the guide rail, effectively becoming a multi-functional component. This single device configuration can adapt to serve different passenger size categories (small, medium, large) without requiring multiple specialized restraint systems.
2Ease of operation
If the pivotable bar is rotated to secure the passenger, then the restraint element contacts the passenger's thighs, but gaps may remain for smaller passengers reducing retention effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a sensor that provides feedback by detecting whether the restraint element is properly contacting the passenger's body. This feedback mechanism prevents the movable bar from being locked in positions that would result in inadequate retention, ensuring that the bar is only secured when proper contact is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor detection occurs before the locking mechanism engages, performing a preliminary check to ensure proper restraint element contact with the passenger. This preliminary action prevents incorrect positioning from being locked in, ensuring retention security before the ride begins.
3Ease of operation
If the restraint device allows passenger movement for thrill, then passenger freedom of movement is increased, but retention effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is segmented into a movable bar portion that allows passenger movement and a fixed guide rail portion that ensures proper positioning. This segmentation enables the bar to move with the passenger for thrill while the guide rail maintains the correct geometric relationship for effective retention.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger restraint device for amusement rides and a method for retaining at least one passenger by means of the restraint device. The device comprises at least one restraint element provided with at least one contact surface intended to be placed in contact with at least one part of the body of a passenger. The restraint element is movable between at least one open position, in which the restraint element is not in contact with the passenger and at least one closed position in which the restraint element is in contact with at least one part of the passenger's body.The restraint element comprises at least one sensor to detect a contact between the restraint element and at least one part of the body of the passenger, preferably a contact with a passenger's thighs.