Ride Seat Attenuation Mechanism for Sudden Acceleration Shock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement park rides often cause sudden accelerations that can be uncomfortable for passengers, leading to reduced enjoyment and a perception of poor functionality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an acceleration attenuation system in ride vehicles, which includes attenuation devices coupled between the seating area and the chassis to reduce the relative acceleration experienced by passengers during sudden stops or collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If sudden acceleration or deceleration is applied to the ride vehicle, then the ride experience becomes more thrilling and dynamic, but passenger comfort and perceived functionality deteriorate due to shock and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuation device is pre-configured between the seating area and chassis to cushion sudden accelerations before they reach the passenger. When a collision or sudden stop is detected, the device activates to absorb and attenuate the shock, protecting the passenger from the full impact while allowing the vehicle to maintain its dynamic motion profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The attenuation device acts as an intermediary element between the ride vehicle chassis and the seating area. It mediates the transmission of acceleration forces, allowing the chassis to experience full acceleration for thrill while reducing the force transmitted to the passenger seat, thus resolving the contradiction between exciting motion and passenger comfort.
2Reliability
If the ride vehicle stops or slows down expeditedly to avoid collision, then safety is improved, but passenger enjoyment deteriorates due to uncomfortable sudden changes in velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by having the attenuation device ready between the seating area and chassis. When expedited stopping is required for safety, the device activates to cushion the deceleration, maintaining collision avoidance capability while protecting passengers from uncomfortable velocity changes and preserving their enjoyment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the attenuation device is activated to reduce acceleration shock, then passenger comfort is improved, but the structural coupling between seating area and chassis is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between seating area and chassis transitions from rigid to dynamic based on operating conditions. During normal operation, the coupling remains strong and rigid for structural integrity. When sudden acceleration exceeds thresholds, the coupling becomes dynamic and compliant through the attenuation device, allowing relative motion to reduce shock while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling characteristics change parameters from rigid to compliant based on acceleration levels. The attenuation device modifies the mechanical properties of the coupling, allowing it to be strong during normal operation but compliant during sudden acceleration events, thus resolving the contradiction between coupling strength and shock reduction.
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 minimizes the perceived shock of sudden accelerations, enhancing passenger comfort and enjoyment by allowing for smoother transitions and increased thrill within ride experiences.
Implementation Method 1
The attenuation device may be a locking mechanism that selectively couples the seating area to the chassis. The locking mechanism may include a pin that is insertable into a receptacle. The pin may be spring biased such that the pin and receptacle engage under low acceleration forces, but disengage under high acceleration forces, thereby allowing the seating area to move independently of the chassis during sudden acceleration events.
Data Source
AI summary
A ride system may include a ride vehicle having a chassis and a seating area that supports one or more passengers. The ride system may also include an attenuation device mechanically coupled between the seating area and the chassis. The attenuation device may attenuate a first acceleration, relative to a reference frame, of the seating area compared to a second acceleration, relative to the reference frame, of the chassis in response to the first acceleration meeting or exceeding a threshold acceleration.