Ride Vehicle Latch Barrier for Orderly Guest Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guests often attempt to disembark from amusement park ride vehicles prematurely, leading to logistical issues and unordered evacuations, as they may not exit at the correct locations, causing safety and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A guest evacuation deterrence system comprising an elongated main body with a handle, latch mechanism, actuation mechanism, and positioning mechanism, which physically interacts with ride vehicles to ensure guests disembark at appropriate times and locations, using a spring-loaded hook to latch onto vehicle members and a cable to release them, along with compliant supports and a stop mechanism to secure the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If guests are allowed to disembark freely from ride vehicles, then guest convenience and speed are improved, but evacuation order and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of staff members, communication devices, and control mechanisms that mediate between guests and the ride vehicle evacuation process. This intermediary layer ensures that while guests can request evacuation conveniently, the actual process is controlled and coordinated to maintain order and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where staff monitor evacuation requests and provide real-time information to guests about the appropriate evacuation timing and location. This feedback loop ensures guests understand when and where to disembark, maintaining evacuation order while preserving convenience.
2Loss of time
If guests disembark at incorrect locations, then individual guest time is reduced, but overall operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing guests with advance information about the correct evacuation locations and timing before they attempt to disembark. Staff members and communication devices notify guests in advance, preventing incorrect disembarkation attempts and ensuring smooth operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to guests about their current position in the evacuation process and the appropriate location for disembarkation. This feedback ensures guests disembark at the correct locations, maintaining operational efficiency while minimizing time loss.
3Reliability
If physical restraint mechanisms are used to prevent premature evacuation, then evacuation order is improved, but guest comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses staff members and communication devices as intermediaries to manage evacuation without relying on physical restraint mechanisms. These intermediaries provide guidance and coordination that maintains evacuation order while preserving guest comfort and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to guests about evacuation status and appropriate timing, eliminating the need for physical restraints. This feedback-based approach maintains evacuation order while ensuring guest comfort and ease of operation.
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 system effectively prevents premature and unordered evacuations by ensuring guests exit at designated times and locations, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by facilitating reproducible and orderly guest disembarkation from ride vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The latch mechanism may include a spring-loaded hook configured to latch onto a member of the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods presented herein include an evacuation deterrence system that includes a vehicle having a member configured to deter evacuation of passengers from the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence system also includes an evacuation deterrence device configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence device includes an elongated main body, a handle portion, a latch mechanism configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the latch mechanism, and a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first location of the elongated main body relative to the vehicle. The elongated main body is configured to be extended relative to the vehicle when the first location of the elongated main body is fixed relative to the vehicle via the positioning mechanism.