Amusement Ride Vehicle Positioning via Rotatable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park racing rides face challenges in simulating close and exciting racing experiences due to inconsistencies in vehicle speed and positioning, often requiring separate tracks and complex control systems, which are costly and less convincing for guests.
Innovation Solution
A ride system featuring a common chassis with a rotatable support arm that allows two or more vehicles to be positioned relative to each other, maintaining a consistent orientation and allowing for precise control of their positioning, including inline and side-by-side configurations, using a drive assembly such as a gear train or pulley system to simulate racing scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate tracks are used for racing vehicles, then racing simulation realism is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple racing vehicles onto a single shared track system, eliminating the need for separate parallel tracks. The support structure carries multiple vehicles simultaneously along one track, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining racing simulation realism through controlled vehicle positioning and orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by using a rotatable support structure that can tilt and rotate vehicles. This allows vehicles to be positioned at different angles and orientations without requiring separate horizontal tracks, achieving realistic racing scenarios through three-dimensional positioning on a single track plane.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex control systems are used to manage vehicle positioning, then vehicle positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a mechanical gear train connection between the support structure and vehicles. The gear train provides automatic mechanical synchronization of vehicle positions and orientations with the support structure's movements, achieving precise positioning through pure mechanical coupling rather than complex electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical gear train system is self-regulating and automatically maintains synchronized positioning of vehicles relative to the support structure. The system uses its own mechanical components to enforce positional relationships without requiring external control signals or complex electronic intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tracks are used for racing vehicles, then racing competition authenticity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple racing vehicles on a single track infrastructure, significantly reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity compared to building multiple separate tracks. The shared track system maintains racing authenticity through the rotatable support structure that enables realistic vehicle interactions and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The single track system serves multiple functions: it supports multiple vehicles simultaneously, accommodates various racing scenarios through support rotation and tilting, and provides both competition and show portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated tracks for different racing configurations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vehicles are rider-controlled, then racing excitement is improved, but safety and throughput are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies strong mechanical coupling through gear train connections that actively enforce synchronized vehicle movements. This mechanical constraint system prevents unsafe behaviors by physically coupling vehicle positions to the support structure, ensuring vehicles maintain safe distances and orientations without relying on rider judgment or complex electronic safety systems.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3D
Figure 3E~3H
AI summary
A ride system (100) is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles (120, 124) in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system (100) includes a chassis (110) that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track (230) of a particular ride. A support (114) is attached to the chassis (110) and moves with the chassis (110) during operation of the ride. The ride system (100) includes first and second passenger vehicles (120, 124) that are spaced apart on and supported by the support (114). A drive assembly (410) is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support (114) about its central axis (119). During support rotation, the first and second vehicles (120, 124) are moved concurrently relative to the track (230) to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles (120, 124) are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.