Roller Coaster Track Layout for Forward-Backward Ride Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement rides, particularly roller coasters, require complex rotating mechanisms to provide varied riding experiences, and conventional designs often result in repetitive and uninteresting tracks due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A roller coaster design that allows vehicles to exit and re-enter the ride area in opposite directions without reversing, using simple means like height or lateral offsets and lifting/sliding devices to change the vehicle's orientation, enabling a forward and backward ride on the same track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex rotating mechanisms are used to provide varied riding experiences, then the riding experience diversity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the vehicle to change riding direction, the patent inverts the approach by designing the track layout so the vehicle enters and exits the ride area in opposite directions while maintaining its forward orientation throughout the ride. This eliminates the need for complex rotating mechanisms at the ride area while achieving varied riding experiences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces height offsets between the exit and entrance of the ride area, utilizing the vertical dimension to change the vehicle's orientation relative to the ride area without requiring rotational mechanisms. The vehicle travels on a three-dimensional track that gains and loses height, allowing it to approach the ride area from different spatial dimensions.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the track is repeated multiple times to extend ride duration, then the ride time is improved, but the passenger interest deteriorates due to repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by having passengers experience the same physical track in reverse orientation. Instead of repeating the forward journey, the vehicle enters the ride area from the opposite direction, allowing passengers to experience thrill elements (drops, loops, curves) from the opposite perspective, creating a fundamentally different sensation despite using the same track geometry.
3Area of stationary object
If space constraints are considered for compact ride design, then the area usage is improved, but the track variety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent充分利用 vertical space by incorporating significant height changes in the track design. The track gains and loses height multiple times during the ride, utilizing the third dimension (vertical) to create variety and excitement without requiring a larger horizontal footprint. This allows compact space usage while maintaining diverse track experiences.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an amusement park ride (1), in particular a rollercoaster, comprising at least one car (10), which can be moved in an exit direction out of an exit (C) from an amusement ride area (30) with a first orientation (e.g. forwards) along a route (20) and, after the ride, the car (10) returns via an entry (D) in an entry direction while maintaining the direction of travel, wherein the amusement ride area (30) and the route (20) are designed in such a way that, while maintaining the direction of travel, the car (10) passes the entry (D) of the amusement ride area (30) in an entry direction, which is the opposite direction to the above-mentioned exit direction, enters, such that, in a subsequent ride, the car travels the route (20) in the opposite orientation (e.g. backwards) to the first orientation (e.g. forwards).