Translucent Sphere Ride with Gravity-Driven Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement ride devices typically accommodate only a single passenger and lack the capability to provide a thrilling experience for multiple passengers, as they are designed with smaller spherical shells and limited interactive elements.
Innovation Solution
A large, translucent spherical device with a pivotally disposed seating unit that remains upright during rolling, integrated with a structural framework of downwardly sloping tubes, allowing multiple passengers to enjoy a thrilling ride while maintaining an upright orientation and enhanced visibility through the sphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a spherical shell is designed to accommodate multiple passengers, then the passenger capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical shell is segmented into multiple seating units, each capable of accommodating one or more passengers. This segmentation allows the large sphere to manage multiple passengers while maintaining operational simplicity through modular seating arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical shell serves multiple functions: it contains the seating units, provides structural support, enables rolling motion through tubes, and offers a protective enclosure for passengers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity despite high passenger capacity.
2Device complexity
If a single seat is used in a spherical shell, then the device complexity is reduced, but the passenger capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single seat, the spherical shell is divided into multiple seating units or sections. Each seating unit can independently accommodate passengers, allowing the system to increase passenger capacity while maintaining relatively simple individual seat designs.
3Strength
If the sphere is made opaque, then the structural integrity is improved, but the visibility and immersive experience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical shell is constructed from translucent or transparent materials that maintain sufficient structural integrity while allowing light transmission. This composite material approach enables passengers to see through the sphere, enhancing the immersive experience and visibility of the surrounding environment during the ride.
4Device complexity
If the seating unit is fixed in the sphere, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thrill and dynamic experience are diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The seating unit is designed to move dynamically within the spherical shell during the ride, rather than being completely fixed. This dynamic positioning allows passengers to experience varying forces and orientations as the sphere rolls through tubes, enhancing the thrill experience while maintaining manageable device complexity through controlled movement mechanisms.
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
Enables a thrilling and immersive experience for multiple passengers by ensuring the seating unit remains upright and the sphere can roll through tubes of sufficient diameter, enhancing excitement and accessibility through the translucent material and multiple seating options.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of tubes which slope downwardly from a supporting framework through which the sphere is rolled
Data Source
AI summary
An amusement park ride assembly includes a sphere which has a diameter sufficiently large for accommodating a plurality of passengers. The sphere is comprised of a translucent material to facilitate the plurality of passengers to see through the sphere. A seating unit is pivotally disposed within the sphere such that the seating unit remains in an upright orientation when the sphere is rolling. The seating unit has a plurality of chairs to facilitate each of the passengers to occupy a respective one of the chairs. A plurality of tubes is each integrated into a structural framework. Each of the tubes has a diameter is sufficient to facilitate the sphere to roll through a respective one of the tubes to facilitate the passengers in the sphere to enjoy a thrilling ride.