Ride Vehicle Orientation Platform for Track Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for transferring ride vehicles between adjacent track loops in amusement parks often misorient vehicles and utilize labor-intensive, inefficient methods, particularly when dealing with attraction and auxiliary loops that have different directional flows.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a translational platform with a rotational portion that moves along a cross-track to align with both track loops, utilizing motors and detection systems to efficiently transfer and orient ride vehicles, including a turntable to rotate vehicles for correct orientation on the auxiliary loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional transfer systems are used to move vehicles between adjacent track loops, then vehicle transfer can be achieved, but the vehicles are oriented incorrectly and labor-intensive methods are required
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer system is divided into separate functional modules: a movable platform for vehicle reception, a turntable for orientation adjustment, and a fixed platform for dispatch. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, ensuring proper vehicle orientation while simplifying the overall transfer operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable platform acts as an intermediary between the attraction loop and auxiliary loop. This platform receives vehicles from one track, transports them to the turntable, and facilitates their transfer to the auxiliary loop, thereby enabling controlled orientation adjustment during the transfer process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vehicles are transferred between attraction and auxiliary loops with different directional flows, then transfer capability is provided, but inefficiency and misorientation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a movable platform that can dynamically reposition itself along the cross-track to align with different track loops. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to vehicles coming from different directions and transfer them efficiently to the auxiliary loop with correct orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The turntable changes the orientation parameter of vehicles by rotating them to the correct angle before dispatch to the auxiliary loop. This parameter adjustment ensures that vehicles are properly oriented regardless of their incoming direction from the attraction loop, thereby improving transfer efficiency and compatibility.
3Device complexity
If a simple transfer mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but vehicle orientation cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the transfer function and orientation adjustment function into a single integrated mechanism. The movable platform combines vehicle transport with positioning, while the turntable integrates rotation capability into the transfer path, allowing both functions to be achieved without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a dual-track loop including a first track loop and a second track loop, a single-track loop spaced apart from the dual- track loop, and a cross-track extending between the dual-track loop and the single-track loop. The system also includes a platform disposed on the cross-track. The platform is configured to translate between a position aligned with the first track loop and the second track loop of the dual-track loop and a position aligned with a first portion and a second portion of the single-track loop. The system further includes a turntable coupled to the platform and configured to rotate a ride vehicle positioned on the turntable and to change an orientation of the ride vehicle relative to a fixed portion of the platform.