Transparent Saucer Waterslide with Looping Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waterslide attractions lack innovative features and visual interest, leading to a need for new concepts to maintain customer appeal and excitement in water parks.
Innovation Solution
A saucer or looping water feature with a transparent or semi-transparent ride surface that allows riders to experience a 360-degree travel path, potentially located underwater or in unique environments, providing a unique and visually engaging experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional waterslide designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the visual interest and customer appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a saucer-shaped ride surface with curved geometry that enables riders to travel in a circular path. The saucer structure features a curved bottom surface that is substantially circular in shape, allowing riders to experience lateral forces and visual interest through the curved path while maintaining structural simplicity for manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a horizontal circular dimension to traditional waterslides by creating a saucer shape that enables 360-degree rider travel. This dimensional change from linear slides to circular paths provides unique visual interest and ride experience while maintaining ease of manufacture through rotational symmetry
2Adaptability or versatility
If new and unique waterslide concepts are introduced, then customer appeal and excitement are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the waterslide system into distinct functional segments: a saucer-shaped ride surface, an entrance structure, and an exit structure. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and manufactured independently while maintaining overall simplicity, reducing device complexity while providing unique customer appeal
Solution Approach 2:
The saucer-shaped ride surface serves multiple functions: it provides the riding surface, creates the circular travel path, generates lateral forces for excitement, and enables visual interest through its unique geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex components while enhancing customer appeal
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
Enhances the thrill and visual appeal of the ride experience for both riders and spectators, introducing new concepts that drive excitement and sales in water parks by offering a unique and visually interesting ride path.
Implementation Method 1
The ride surface may be at least partially formed of a transparent material permitting the rider to see through the transparent material
Data Source
AI summary
A waterslide feature for providing a looping or arcuate travel path for a rider traveling thereon and method for making the same. The waterslide feature may have an entrance, an exit, and a surface (e.g., a ride surface, such as a bottom surface and/or a wall surface) therebetween comprising a transparent and/or semi-transparent surface configured to permit the rider to see through the surface and experience an exterior environment. Spectators or bystanders to the waterslide feature may be able to see through the surface and to witness riders riding upon the waterslide feature. The waterslide feature may be oriented at an angle to horizontal (e.g., tilted) and/or may be positioned within a defined exterior environment contained within an exterior wall. The exterior wall may be configured to retain water such that at least a portion of the waterslide feature is below the height of the water.