Water Ride Surface Tensioned Inflatable Layer Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surf simulation ride devices struggle to enhance rider safety during falls without compromising the ride experience, as increasing flexibility to reduce impact forces can negatively affect the surf simulation.
Innovation Solution
A water ride apparatus featuring a combination of a tensioned layer and an inflatable layer, where the inflatable layer is positioned on top of the tensioned layer, providing a drop-stitch construction with multiple chambers and secured through various fastening mechanisms, to absorb impact forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flexibility of the ride surface is increased to reduce impact forces on a falling rider, then rider safety is improved, but the integrity of the surf experience deteriorates because the ride surface can no longer properly support the forces of the injected water and maintain the desired surf shape
Solution Approach 1:
The ride surface is segmented into multiple independent air chambers within the inflatable layer, each capable of deflecting independently to absorb impact forces, while the overall structure remains stable enough to support water forces and maintain surf shape through the collective action of all chambers
Solution Approach 2:
The ride surface uses a composite structure combining a tensioned membrane layer with an inflatable layer containing multiple air chambers, creating a multi-layer system that simultaneously provides impact absorption flexibility and structural stability for surf simulation
2Ease of operation
If a thin sheet of water is used between the rider and ride surface to enable surfing actions, then the surf simulation experience is improved, but rider safety deteriorates because the rider impacts the underlying surface quickly and with high force upon falling
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable layer with multiple air chambers is positioned beneath the water sheet to provide pre-positioned cushioning that activates upon rider impact, absorbing impact forces before they reach the rigid support structure, thereby reducing injury risk while maintaining the thin water sheet for surfing
3Stability of the object's composition
If the ride surface is made rigid to properly support the forces of injected water and maintain surf shape, then the integrity of the surf experience is improved, but rider safety deteriorates because impact forces on falling riders are substantially increased
Solution Approach 1:
The ride surface changes its physical parameters dynamically: remaining rigid and stable under normal operating conditions to support water forces and maintain surf shape, but becoming flexible and compliant when a rider falls, allowing the inflatable chambers to expand and absorb impact forces
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 combination of a tensioned and inflatable layer significantly reduces impact forces and duration, enhancing rider safety while maintaining the integrity of the surf experience, with deceleration forces reduced to around 21 Gs compared to individual solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable layer can have, for example, four or more separate chambers integrated together by a top sheet
Implementation Method 2
The combination of a tensioned and inflatable layer significantly reduces impact forces and duration
Data Source
AI summary
A water ride apparatus is shown and described including a tensioned layer supporting an inflatable layer. The combination of the tensioned layer and inflatable layer showing surprisingly improved impact resistance and performance characteristics for a ride surface.