Ride Restraint Linkage for Lower-Body Containment and Arm Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park ride restraint systems often restrict the upper body and arms, limiting guest mobility and comfort, while also failing to securely restrain guests of varying ages and sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A ride vehicle restraint system featuring conformable components that enclose the thigh, knee, and shin areas, combined with a behind-the-knee component, uses pressure sensors and a control system to lock into place, allowing upper body mobility and secure containment through a linkage mechanism and actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional restraint systems are used to securely restrain guests, then guest safety is improved, but upper body and arm mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is divided into separate components: lower body restraint mechanisms (leg shields, lap bars) and upper body support structures. This segmentation allows the lower body to be securely restrained while leaving the upper body and arms free to move, resolving the contradiction between safety and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system applies different restraint levels to different body parts: firm restraint for the lower body (thighs, knees, shins) using conformable components and behind-the-knee restraints, while providing minimal restraint for the upper body and arms. This localized differentiation of restraint quality enables both safety and upper body mobility.
2Reliability
If traditional restraint systems are used to restrain guests, then containment is achieved, but effectiveness for guests of varying ages and sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system incorporates adjustable and conformable components that can dynamically adapt to different body sizes and shapes. The conformable components mold to the guest's lower body contours, while adjustable mechanisms allow customization for guests of varying ages and sizes, maintaining effective containment across diverse populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters such as the shape, size, and positioning of restraint components to accommodate different guests. The conformable components can change their form factor, and the linkage mechanism adjusts the positioning and tension of restraints based on the guest's anatomy, ensuring effective containment for varying ages and sizes.
3Reliability
If conformable components and linkage mechanisms are added to improve restraint effectiveness, then guest containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism serves multiple functions: it coordinates the movement of multiple restraint components, ensures proper positioning of conformable components, and integrates with the actuator system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each component, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maintaining improved containment.
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 secures guests of different sizes while enabling arm and upper body movement, enhancing the ride experience by ensuring safe containment during the ride and easy loading/unloading.
Implementation Method 1
uses pressure sensors and a control system to lock into place
Data Source
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AI summary
A ride vehicle 12 for an amusement park includes a restraint system 18. The restraint system 18 includes a first conformable component 20 configured to be disposed over a first lower portion of a guest's body. The restraint system further includes a behind-the-knee component 52 configured to be disposed behind a leg of the guest. The restraint system 18 additionally includes a linkage mechanism 56 configured to move the first conformable component 20, the behind-the-knee component 52, or a combination thereof, to secure the restraint system 18 to the guest.