Ride Vehicle Connection System with Hinged Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amusement park rides with coupled vehicles provide limited and repetitive experiences for passengers, and decoupling these vehicles for maintenance is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle connection system that allows ride vehicles to couple and decouple automatically during a ride cycle, enabling them to travel along separate paths and providing unique experiences by using a mechanism with a hinged joint, locking elements, and actuators to control the engagement and disengagement of the vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ride vehicles are coupled together in a train format, then the structural stability and ease of operation are improved, but the adaptability and passenger experience variety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static fixed coupling to a dynamic system that can automatically couple and decouple vehicles during the ride cycle. The hinged joint with locking mechanism allows the train to maintain stability when coupled while enabling automatic separation at specific points in the ride, creating varied passenger experiences without sacrificing structural integrity during operation
2Ease of operation
If ride vehicles are coupled together in a train format, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time for maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system incorporates actuators that enable automatic coupling and decoupling of vehicles without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the separation of vehicles during operation and can automatically re-couple them, eliminating the time-consuming manual decoupling process traditionally required for maintenance access
3Reliability
If a hinged joint with locking mechanism is used, then the reliability of vehicle connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex manual mechanical coupling operations with an automated actuator-driven mechanism. The hinged joint with locking element provides reliable mechanical connection, while actuators automate the locking and unlocking processes, reducing the need for complex manual procedures and improving overall system reliability through consistent automated operation
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle connection system in accordance with present embodiments includes a first connection mechanism having a shaft with a first portion coupled to a second portion by a hinged joint. A locking element extends from the second portion. Guides extend on opposing sides of the second portion such that a channel is formed between the guides and the guides block movement of the second portion about the hinged joint outside of the channel. The guides are positioned between the locking element and the hinged joint along the shaft. A second connection mechanism is configured to couple with the first connection mechanism and includes a locking box configured to receive the locking element via an aperture in the locking box and configured such that rotation of the locking element while in the locking box via rotation of the shaft interlocks the locking element with the lock box.