Track-Guided Movable Railing Assembly for Rapid Platform Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of attaching a safety line and erecting a barrier at the edge of an amusement park ride platform to facilitate passenger egress is time-consuming, delaying vehicle evacuation when movement is unexpectedly terminated.
Innovation Solution
A movable railing assembly with interconnected railing segments and bogies that move along a track, allowing operators to deploy and retract the railing from a safe distance, using connectors to maintain segment spacing and barriers to block access, with optional motor-driven operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an operator manually attaches a safety line and erects a barrier at the edge of the platform to facilitate passenger egress, then passenger safety is ensured, but the process is significantly time-consuming and delays passenger egress
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed as a movable railing assembly that can be rapidly deployed and retracted along a track system. The railing segments with bogies move dynamically along the curved track, transitioning from a retracted position during normal operation to an extended position for passenger egress, eliminating the time-consuming manual assembly process while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier is divided into multiple railing segments that can move independently along the track. Each segment includes barriers coupled to bogies that engage with the track, allowing the barrier system to be deployed in sections and maintained in a compact state during normal operation, thus reducing deployment time while ensuring safety during egress
2Ease of operation
If the operator works proximate to the edge of the platform to erect the barrier, then the barrier can be positioned correctly, but the operator is exposed to safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The movable railing assembly is designed to be self-positioning along the curved track. The bogies engage with the track geometry, automatically guiding the barrier segments to the correct positions without requiring operator intervention near the platform edge. The system moves and positions itself, eliminating operator exposure to safety risks while maintaining proper barrier placement
Solution Approach 2:
The track system serves as an intermediary between the operator and the barrier positioning. The operator controls the deployment from a safe distance, and the track-m bogie interaction mediates the precise positioning of the barrier segments, eliminating the need for the operator to work proximate to the dangerous edge
3Device complexity
If a single fixed barrier is used at the platform edge, then the structure is simple, but the barrier cannot be rapidly deployed and retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic movable assembly. The railing segments with bogies move along the curved track, enabling rapid deployment and retraction. The system maintains relative simplicity through the use of standard rail-car components while achieving high deployment speed through controlled movement along the pre-designed track path
Data Source
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AI summary
A movable railing assembly includes a first railing segment having a first bogie and a first barrier coupled to the first bogie. The first bogie is configured to engage a track positioned below the first barrier and to facilitate movement of the first railing segment along the track, and the first barrier is configured to block access across the first railing segment. The movable railing assembly also includes a second railing segment having a second bogie and a second barrier coupled to the second bogie. The second bogie is configured to engage the track and to facilitate movement of the second railing segment along the track, and the second barrier is configured to block access across the second railing segment. Furthermore, the movable railing assembly includes a connector coupling the first railing segment to the second railing segment.