Roller Coaster Side Guide Wheel Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional roller coaster guidance mechanisms with pin and bushing designs require frequent maintenance due to wear and tear, leading to increased costs and reduced ride comfort due to shock loading.
Innovation Solution
A spring-based side guide assembly replaces the pin and bushing joint, using leaf springs mounted to the main support frame to provide suspension for the side guide wheels, allowing for articulation and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin and bushing design is used in the side guide assembly, then the structure provides stable support for side guide wheels, but the components are prone to wear and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pin and bushing components from the side guide assembly, extracting the wear-prone elements that required frequent maintenance. The spring-based system replaces these components entirely, eliminating the maintenance issue while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the support mechanism from a rigid pin-bushing joint to a flexible spring-based system. This parameter change transforms the system from one prone to wear to one that absorbs wear through elastic deformation, significantly reducing maintenance requirements.
2Ease of operation
If traditional guidance mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple and robust, but shock loading reduces ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates spring elements into the side guide assembly that act as cushioning elements before shock loads are transmitted to the vehicle. These springs absorb and dampen shock loads in advance, preventing harsh impacts from reaching the passengers and improving ride comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the side guide assembly by introducing spring-based suspension, transforming it from a rigid structure to one with controlled flexibility. This parameter change allows the system to absorb shock loads while maintaining structural integrity, directly improving ride comfort.
3Ease of operation
If spring-based suspension is added to the side guide assembly, then ride comfort is improved by reducing shock loading, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the suspension function with the side guide wheel mounting structure by integrating springs directly into the assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate suspension components, reducing overall device complexity while still providing shock absorption and improving ride comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-based side guide assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the wheels, absorbs shock loads, and allows for articulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, keeping the overall system relatively simple while delivering improved ride comfort.
4Ease of manufacture
If pin and bushing components are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but manufacturing costs increase due to frequent maintenance and part replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pin and bushing components from the design, eliminating parts that require frequent manufacturing and replacement. By removing these wear-prone elements, the system reduces long-term manufacturing costs associated with maintenance, even if the initial spring components require precise manufacturing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spring-based design reduces maintenance costs, weight, and manufacturing costs while maintaining ride comfort by eliminating wear-prone components and allowing for adjustable suspension based on ride and track configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The side guide assembly includes a pair of side guide wheels for rollably engaging a side surface of the track and a pair of spring members supporting the side guide wheels and allowing movement of the side guide wheels relative to the track
Implementation Method 2
side guide wheels for rollably engaging a side surface of the track
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for providing guidance of a ride vehicle on a track of a park ride, e.g., a vehicle or car of a roller coaster, that is adapted to provide side guide wheel suspension with a design that requires significantly less maintenance than the traditional pin and bushing configuration. The system includes a side guide assembly includes two spring members, which may each take the form of a leaf spring, that are directly mounted to the main support of the bogie assembly (e.g., the load wheel assembly, the up stop assembly, and the support frame of the bogie assembly). The spring members are adapted to provide anchor points for the side guide wheel shafts that each side guide wheel is mounted onto for rotation. When the spring members are leaf springs, the eyes of each leaf spring may form the anchor points or shaft supports for the wheel rotation shafts.