Trackless Ride Vehicle Synchronization for Collision-Safe Show Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current amusement ride systems lack synchronization between vehicles and sets, leading to a lack of realism and excitement, as well as safety issues with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in amusement parks due to their inability to maintain synchronization and avoid collisions without disrupting the show or causing accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system of self-powered, self-guided trackless propulsion platforms that maintain synchronization with their environment and other platforms, using a ride control system to transmit addressed timing signals and control synchronized deceleration and stopping, ensuring smooth operation and safety without skidding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tracked systems or basic trackless systems are used to transport patrons through amusement rides, then the ride can operate with fixed sets and basic car-to-set triggering, but synchronization between cars and sets is limited or non-existent, reducing realism and excitement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based synchronization system where the ride control system continuously monitors car positions, speeds, and accelerations, then adjusts set operations and multimedia presentations in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enables precise car-to-set synchronization without requiring complex mechanical coupling, resolving the contradiction between synchronization reliability and control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical track-based synchronization with an electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and communication networks to coordinate car movements and set operations. This substitution eliminates the need for physical mechanical linkages while achieving superior synchronization precision, addressing the contradiction by reducing mechanical complexity while improving synchronization reliability.
2Productivity
If automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are deployed in amusement parks to transport patrons, then operational efficiency increases, but safety issues arise due to inability to maintain synchronization and avoid collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent equips each AGV with sensors and communication devices that continuously report position, speed, and operational status to a central control system. The control system processes this feedback and sends real-time commands to adjust AGV speeds and trajectories, enabling collision avoidance while maintaining high operational efficiency. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing the synchronization and safety capabilities needed for reliable multi-vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a control system that performs preliminary calculations and planning for AGV routes and timing before vehicles begin movement. By pre-coordinating schedules, identifying potential conflict zones, and preparing contingency plans in advance, the system enables AGVs to operate efficiently while maintaining safety margins. This preliminary action approach resolves the contradiction by preventing collisions before they occur while preserving productivity.
3Reliability
If AGVs perform emergency stops to avoid collisions or faults, then safety is improved, but synchronization with the show is lost and the ride must be reset, causing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a synchronized emergency stop system where the central control system receives fault or collision avoidance signals and immediately triggers coordinated stopping commands to all AGVs simultaneously. The system also pre-coordinates with the show control system to pause or freeze multimedia presentations and set operations at appropriate moments, ensuring that emergency stops maintain show synchronization. This preliminary coordination resolves the contradiction by enabling safety stops without show interruptions or resets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a feedback loop between the AGV control system and the show control system, where emergency stop commands from AGVs are immediately communicated to the show system, and confirmation of synchronized stopping is fed back to both systems. This real-time feedback ensures that safety-critical stops are coordinated with show elements, preventing desynchronization and eliminating the need for ride resets while maintaining safety.
4Volume of moving object
If two-dimensional display devices are used in mobile platforms to present images to patrons, then space is occupied but realism and excitement are reduced compared to three-dimensional sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable display systems on mobile platforms that can change between two-dimensional screens and three-dimensional projections based on operational needs. The system uses controllable projection surfaces and adjustable screen configurations to provide 3D visual experiences when space permits, while accepting 2D displays when compactness is prioritized. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize between space utilization and realism depending on the specific operational context.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system to transport a payload platform along a predefined path in an amusement facility, including a system controller to generate and transmit a timing signal and a propulsion platform, coupled to and supporting the payload platform, to traverse the predefined path in synchronism with the timing signal received from the system controller. The propulsion platform having an address corresponding to at least one of a plurality of individually addressed timing signals. The system may further include a plurality of entertainment devices positioned along the predefined path in an amusement facility, that likewise operate in synchronism with the timing signal received from the system controller.