Amusement Ride Seat-Linkage Layout for Higher Passenger Throughput

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing amusement rides with hexapod or Gough-Stewart platforms are complex, costly, labor-intensive, require significant construction space, and have limited capacity and throughput, with challenging passenger boarding and disembarking processes.

Innovation Solution

A ride design featuring a frame with rows of seats connected via a joint and linkage, utilizing a lifting device to move seats in multiple degrees of freedom, including vertical and rotational movements, with independent actuation for each row to enhance passenger throughput and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hexapod or Gough-Stewart platform is used to move rows of seats, then the seats can be positioned in six degrees of freedom, but the system becomes complex, costly, and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegrees of freedomVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the movement system into independent modules: each row of seats is equipped with its own lifting device and linkage mechanism rather than using a single complex hexapod platform. This segmentation allows each row to be moved independently through multiple degrees of freedom using simpler, more manageable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic linkage mechanisms that allow the rows of seats to move through multiple degrees of freedom (vertical movement, rotation about vertical axis, and pitch rotation) using flexible connections and joints. The linkage projects from the frame as a cantilever and pivots about a single pivot axis, enabling dynamic positioning without requiring a complex fixed-platform structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hexapod or Gough-Stewart platform is used to move rows of seats, then positioning is achieved, but construction space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidconstruction space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the positioning system into individual row-level lifting devices and linkages rather than a monolithic hexapod platform, the patent reduces the overall construction space required. Each row can be positioned independently with a more compact mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes vertical space and rotational movements about the vertical axis to achieve positioning, thereby reducing the horizontal footprint. The rows can be moved vertically and rotated into position, allowing the system to operate in a more compact construction space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If rows of seats are moved forward into the dome by hexapod, then unobstructed view is achieved, but passenger boarding and disembarking becomes complex and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveview qualityVSAvoidboarding and disembarking complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a hexapod or Gough-Stewart platform is used, then seat positioning is achieved, but operational throughput is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidpassenger throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the movement system into independent modules: each row of seats is equipped with its own lifting device and linkage mechanism rather than using a single complex hexapod platform. This segmentation allows each row to be moved independently and quickly, increasing the overall throughput of the amusement ride.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4509195B1Amusement ride

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 MACK RIDES IP GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ride (1) comprising a frame (10) rotatable about a vertical axis (Z) with at least one first row of seats (20) with a frame (30), at least one row of seats (40) with at least one seat (41) for a passenger and a lifting device (50), wherein the at least one row of seats (40) is connected to the frame (30) via a joint (45), wherein the frame (30) connects the joint (45) to the frame (10), and wherein the lifting device (50) can raise the row of seats (40) in the orientation of the vertical axis (Z).