Roller Coaster Vehicle Radial Mount for Lateral Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional roller coaster designs with rigidly mounted guest compartments can be uncomfortable due to lateral forces, and existing designs with degree of freedom fall short in controlling lateral accelerations, especially in spinning coasters where movement is restricted, and in suspension coasters where the pivot point is distant from the center of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A ride system that imparts a roll degree of freedom to the guest compartment via a radial mount, allowing it to roll relative to the chassis, which is securely attached to the track, with passive or active control of rolling motions using limiting, damping, or actuating components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guest compartment is rigidly mounted to the chassis, then the vehicle structure is stable and secure, but lateral forces cause discomfort to riders
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connection between guest compartment and chassis is segmented into a radial mount mechanism that allows controlled relative motion. The radial mount acts as an independent segment that decouples the structural stability function from the lateral force transmission, enabling the chassis to remain stable while the guest compartment can move independently to reduce lateral forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection stiffness parameter is changed from rigid (infinite stiffness) to flexible (controlled stiffness through radial mount). This parameter change allows the system to maintain structural integrity while permitting controlled movements that reduce the transmission of harmful lateral forces to riders.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the guest compartment is given a degree of freedom relative to the chassis, then lateral accelerations are reduced, but movement control is insufficient in spinning and suspension coasters
Solution Approach 1:
The radial mount transforms the static rigid connection into a dynamic system with controlled degrees of freedom. The radial mount allows the guest compartment to rotate and move relative to the chassis in a controlled manner, providing both the freedom to reduce lateral accelerations and the control needed for spinning and suspension coaster operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial mount acts as an intermediary mechanism between the chassis and guest compartment. It mediates the interaction between structural stability and movement freedom, providing controlled motion while maintaining operational control for various coaster types including spinning and suspension coasters.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a radial mount is used to impart roll degree of freedom, then ride comfort is improved through controlled rolling motions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial mount combines multiple functions into a single mechanism: it provides the roll degree of freedom, acts as a structural connector, and enables controlled rolling motions all through one integrated component. This merging reduces the need for separate control mechanisms and simplifies the overall system despite the added functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Ride systems providing guest compartment(s) with a roll degree of freedom through radial mount(s) are described. The guest compartment of the vehicles is attached to a track via a chassis. The guest compartment and the chassis are configured such that the guest compartment has a roll degree of freedom relative to the chassis.