Modular Waterslide Bowl Troughs for Fixed Rider Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional waterslide bowls lack a fixed rider path, leading to inconsistent ride experiences and reduced capacity due to variability in ride duration, and existing solutions either require numerous molds or introduce hazards with guiding structures.

Innovation Solution

A waterslide bowl design featuring trough sections that connect end-to-end to form fixed, curved or partially curved rider paths, allowing for a reduced number of molds and safer fabrication, with options for single or multiple troughs that can nest together to accommodate varying numbers of riders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a continuous trough is molded in the bottom of the bowl to guide the rider, then a fixed rider path is achieved, but a large number of individually-shaped segments are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed rider pathVSAvoidnumber of segments

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trough is divided into multiple discrete trough sections that can be attached together end-to-end to form the complete guiding structure. Each section is a separate component that can be manufactured independently and then assembled to create the continuous fixed path for riders through the bowl.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If elements are added to form a partial trough to guide riders, then rider guidance is improved, but hazards in the form of fins or edges are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverider guidanceVSAvoidfins or edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trough sections are designed with smooth, continuous surfaces that guide riders without creating sharp edges or fins. The sections connect end-to-end to form a seamless path, eliminating hazardous protrusions while maintaining effective rider guidance through the bowl.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If numerous individually-shaped segments are used to create the trough, then a fixed path is formed, but fabrication costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed path formationVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The trough is segmented into multiple standardized sections that can be manufactured using the same mold or molding process. This allows for efficient production where each section is a repeatable component, reducing the number of unique molds needed compared to creating entirely custom-shaped segments for a continuous trough.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8192291B2Waterslide bowl with troughs

Publication Date: 2012.06.05 WHITEWATER WEST IND LTD

AI summary

A waterslide bowl has a fixed rider path from entrance to exit. The bowl comprises a trough which is made of a plurality of sets of trough sections, attached together, in which the trough sections of a given set are the same and nest together side-by-side, permitting the rider surface of the bowl to be made from trough sections having a small number of different shapes. This reduces the number of molds that would otherwise be required to make the trough sections. The waterslide bowl may also have two or more separate troughs, nested together, whereby the bowl may be ridden in by multiple riders at the same time, each in his or her own trough.