Ride Vehicle Bubble Logic for Real-Time Spacing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dark ride vehicle systems using zone logic are inefficient due to the lack of precise vehicle location information, leading to limitations in error and recovery modes, and require significant effort in zone placement and programming.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic ride control system that uses vehicle path sensors with unique position identifiers and a data communication system to determine the exact location of ride vehicles and create a real-time, three-dimensional 'bubble' virtual space for safe operation, adjusting vehicle characteristics such as speed and orientation to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zone logic is used to control ride vehicles, then collision prevention is achieved by ensuring empty zones between vehicles, but precise vehicle location information is lost and system efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zone-based control system with an optical/electronic sensor system. Vehicle path sensors detect vehicle positions continuously along the track, substituting the discrete zone logic approach with a continuous measurement system that provides precise location data without requiring predefined zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data communication system as an intermediary between the sensors and control system. This intermediary transmits position data at high rates, enabling real-time control decisions while decoupling the sensing and control functions, thereby improving overall system efficiency and responsiveness.
2Reliability
If zone definitions are established to ensure proper vehicle spacing, then collision safety is improved, but design and installation complexity increases due to considerable effort required for zone placement and programming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex zone definition and programming requirements from the control system design. By using continuous sensor-based position detection instead of predefined zones, the system eliminates the need for manual zone placement and programming while maintaining safety through real-time vehicle position monitoring and dynamic spacing control.
3Reliability
If large variance of position is accounted for in control system, then safety is maintained without precise location knowledge, but error and recovery modes are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback through vehicle path sensors that provide real-time position data to the control system. This feedback enables the system to detect vehicle positions precisely, compare them against safe operating parameters, and automatically adjust control commands to maintain safety while enabling diverse error detection and recovery modes based on actual vehicle locations.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A ride control system uses logic to define and track a virtual space, or bubble, in real time around a plurality of ride vehicles deployed along a predefined vehicle path to operate each independently of, and safely with respect to, the other ride vehicles deployed along the same predefined vehicle path at substantially the same time.