Wobbling Assembly with Passive Guidance for Collision Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wobble assemblies in amusement devices suffer from unwanted lateral sliding movements and limited kinematic range, which affect safety and entertainment value, particularly when installed in environments like silos or scenery.

Innovation Solution

A multi-axis movable tumbling arrangement incorporating a length-adjustable guide mechanism and multi-axis wobble bearing, which includes a passive guide device that follows the wobble support's movements, preventing lateral sliding and allowing for both wobbling and linear adjustments, including height adjustments, with a design that minimizes collisions and enhances passenger access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional wobble assembly with hydraulic cylinders is used, then the wobble movement is generated, but unwanted lateral sliding movements occur and the kinematic range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinematic rangeVSAvoidlateral sliding control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the wobble beam and the drive mechanism. This guide mechanism includes guide elements that constrain the wobble beam to follow a predetermined wobble path, preventing unwanted lateral sliding movements while allowing the desired wobble motion to occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wobble assembly is designed with multi-axis movability, allowing the wobble beam to dynamically adjust its position and orientation within controlled limits. The system transitions from a fixed constraint to a dynamic constraint that permits legitimate motion while preventing harmful deviations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wobble beam is installed in a silo or scenery environment, then the entertainment value is enhanced, but collisions with the surrounding structure occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentertainment valueVSAvoidcollisions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide mechanism is designed with predetermined wobble paths that are calculated in advance to ensure the wobble beam remains within safe clearance distances from the silo or scenery walls. By pre-planning the motion trajectory, collisions are prevented before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide mechanism acts as a mediator between the wobble beam and the surrounding environment, constraining the beam's motion to a safe corridor that maintains appropriate clearance from the silo or scenery structure throughout the wobble cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a passive guide device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the guide mechanism must follow the wobble support movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide device structureVSAvoidguide mechanism operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The passive guide device utilizes the wobble support's own movements to drive the guide mechanism. The guide elements are designed to automatically follow and constrain the wobble beam's motion without requiring external power or active control systems, making the guide device self-regulating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution prevents collisions between the wobble support and its environment, facilitates easy passenger access, and increases the kinematic range and entertainment value by allowing controlled, multi-axis movements.

Implementation Method 1

The guide mechanism has a multi-axis wobble bearing, in particular a cardan bearing (23), which directly connects the wobble support (3) and the guide mechanism (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCardan bearing mechanism: Gimbal

Data Source

PatentEP4373595B1Wobbling assembly and wobbling method
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 RAW TEX INT ESTAB
  • EP4373595B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4373595B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4373595B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wobbling assembly (2) for an amusement contraption (1) as well as a wobbling method, the multiaxially movable wobbling assembly (2) comprising a wobbling carrier (3) that can be occupied by passengers, and a moving mechanism (4) for generating the movements of the wobbling carrier. The moving mechanism (4) comprises a drive unit (17) and additionally a length-adjustable guiding device (16) that is connected to the wobbling carrier (3) by means of a multiaxial wobble bearing (22).