Segmented Bending System for Amusement Park Attractions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park attractions face challenges in creating durable and compact bending systems that can repeatedly move between straight and bent configurations to enhance visual effects, such as animating robotic figures, while maintaining durability and versatility for various entertainment elements.
Innovation Solution
A segmented bending system comprising multiple linkages and rotation assemblies with cam members that extend through the linkages, allowing for coordinated bending in multiple directions, driven by a circumferential rotation mechanism, enabling the system to adjust between straight and bent configurations efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional bending system is used to create visual effects in amusement park attractions, then the system can achieve bending movements, but the system lacks durability for repeated use and occupies excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The bending system is divided into multiple linkages (first linkage, second linkage, third linkage) that are coupled together in a segmented manner. Each linkage can bend independently, allowing the system to achieve complex bending movements while maintaining a compact overall structure that occupies less space than traditional single-piece bending mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation assemblies are positioned within the linkages in a nested arrangement, with rotation assemblies extending through the linkages. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to be housed within the same spatial envelope, reducing the overall volume occupied by the bending system while maintaining durability through proper mechanical nesting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a simple bending mechanism is used, then the system occupies less space, but the system cannot achieve coordinated bending in multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple segmented linkages (first, second, and third linkages) that can bend in different directions. Each linkage segment is equipped with its own rotation assembly, enabling independent control of bending direction for each segment. This segmentation allows coordinated multi-directional bending while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam members are offset from one another in the circumferential direction, creating an asymmetric arrangement that enables different bending directions for different linkages. The first cam member, second cam member, and third cam member are positioned at different angular positions, allowing the system to achieve versatile bending control in multiple directions within a compact space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cam members are positioned at the same location, then the structure is simpler, but the system cannot achieve offset bending directions for different linkages
Solution Approach 1:
The cam members are deliberately positioned at asymmetric, offset locations in the circumferential direction. The first cam member, second cam member, and third cam member are arranged at different angular positions around the rotation assemblies. This asymmetric arrangement enables each linkage to bend in different directions, providing versatility in motion control while the overall circular arrangement maintains structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cam member is positioned at a specific local location optimized for its corresponding linkage's bending direction requirements. The first cam member is positioned to control the first linkage's bending, the second cam member for the second linkage, and so on. This localized positioning of cam members allows each part of the system to have the specific quality needed for its function, achieving versatile bending control without excessive overall complexity.
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 system provides a durable, compact, and versatile solution for creating realistic bending effects in amusement park attractions, allowing for repeated movement between straight and bent configurations, enhancing visual appeal and durability, and accommodating various entertainment elements within limited spaces.
Implementation Method 1
each cam member of the multiple cam members extends into a respective opening formed in a corresponding linkage of the multiple linkages... the first cam member that is configured to engage a first opening in the first linkage to drive the first linkage to bend in a first direction in response to rotation of the first rotation assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A segmented bending system includes multiple linkages coupled to one another in a stacked arrangement. The segmented bending system also includes multiple rotation assemblies coupled to one another to extend through the multiple linkages. The multiple rotation assemblies include multiple cam members, and each cam member of the multiple members extends into a respective opening formed in a corresponding linkage of the multiple linkages. At least one cam member of the multiple cam members is offset from at least one other cam member of the multiple cam members in a circumferential direction about a center axis of the multiple rotation assemblies.