Wireless Ride Vehicle Control for Maintenance-Based Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional control systems for amusement park rides are costly to maintain and difficult to integrate, with complex wiring and limited ability to independently control and synchronize the movement of multiple ride vehicles with show events.
Innovation Solution
A ride control system featuring a primary and backup wireless network with vehicle controllers and transceivers, allowing for independent control and synchronization of ride vehicles' movements, as well as data transmission for position tracking and show event coordination, using a bi-directional voting circuit for data accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional control systems with complex wiring are used, then ride vehicles can be controlled, but maintenance costs increase and integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Each ride vehicle is equipped with a transceiver that communicates wirelessly with the central controller, eliminating the need for complex physical wiring throughout the ride course while maintaining reliable control and monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless transceivers serve multiple functions including position tracking, vehicle control commands, and show event synchronization. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional control systems are used, then basic vehicle control is achieved, but independent control and synchronization of multiple vehicles with show events becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent vehicle controllers, each capable of receiving commands and reporting status independently to the central controller. This segmentation allows each vehicle to be controlled and tracked individually, enabling precise synchronization with show events while simplifying the overall control architecture through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where each vehicle's transceiver reports its position and status to the central controller, which then sends appropriate control commands. This real-time feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of vehicle movements to synchronize with show events while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are mounted along the path, then position monitoring is achieved, but maintenance costs increase and integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple physical sensors mounted along the ride path with wireless position tracking using transceivers on each vehicle. The central controller determines vehicle positions through wireless communication, eliminating the need for numerous physical sensors that would require regular maintenance and complex integration along the entire ride course.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ride vehicle carries its own transceiver that actively transmits its position and status information to the central controller. This self-service approach allows vehicles to report their own positions without requiring external sensors, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining precise position tracking capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A ride system is described comprising: at least one ride vehicle positioned within a course and configured to travel within the course, wherein the course comprises a main path and an alternate path; a vehicle controller of the at least one ride vehicle; a primary controller configured to determine a maintenance status of the at least one ride vehicle based on maintenance data indicative of the maintenance status and to determine a control loop for the at least one ride vehicle to control the movement of the at least one ride vehicle based on a location of the at least one ride vehicle and the maintenance status; and a wireless network. The primary controller is configured to receive the maintenance data indicative of the maintenance status via the wireless network and to provide instructions to the vehicle controller to control the at least one ride vehicle according to the control loop. The instructions cause the vehicle controller of the at least one ride vehicle to move the at least one ride vehicle from the main path to the alternate path based on the maintenance status of the at least one ride vehicle being associated with a determined due maintenance for the at least one ride vehicle.