EP0656222A2 - Mobile business device with least one gondola for passengers suspended pendulously - Google Patents

Abstract

The weight (37) for altering the radial distance from the pivot axle (22) is freely movable by gravity. When the passenger-gondola is stationary, the weight is beneath the pivot axle. The weight moves along a line connecting (31) the pivot axle and a line running parallel to the pivot axle through the centre of gravity of the gondola. The weight is in the form of a fluid mass, esp. oil or water contained in a tank (30) attached to the gondola. A wider part (30b) of the tank is limited by a wall running in a circle segment shape around the pivot axle.

Description

The invention relates to an amusement ride for amusement markets or parks with at least one passenger gondola, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis that is inclined, in particular essentially horizontal, with respect to the vertical of the earth, a variable weight influencing the pivoting movement and a resulting rollover of the passenger gondola being provided .

From US Pat. No. 1 987 004, for example, such a ride is known, which is designed as a circular ride and a tower has, at the upper end of a motor-driven rotating body is rotatably mounted with two arms. The two arms extend in opposite radial directions and are fixed to the rotating body, so that together they form a double arm. A passenger nacelle is mounted on the free end of one boom, while a counterweight is provided on the free end of the other boom. This counterweight ensures a weight balance of the passenger gondola hanging on the other boom and essentially ensures a balance during operation in the rotating double arm, in that the center of gravity of the double arm coincides at least approximately with the axis of rotation of the rotating body. In this way, not only the bearing of the rotating body which quickly wears out unbalance is avoided, but also an energy-saving operation of the rollover swing is possible. Since the weight of the passenger gondola is dependent on the loading condition, that is to say on the number of passengers, it is proposed in the prior art to adapt the counterweight accordingly. For this purpose, in the known rollover swing, the counterweight is designed as a water tank, the water filling of which can be changed depending on the loading condition of the passenger gondola.

In addition to the circular ride described above, however, there are also other types of rides in which the passenger gondolas are not driven by a motor on their axis of rotation, but are freely oscillating and are stimulated to commute due to a specific movement sequence. In order to convey a special driving impression, it is often desirable to intensify the pendulum movements in such a way that the passenger gondolas roll over. Additional weight is also required for such a movement. In contrast to the known circular ride described above, the weight is not used to achieve a weight balance compared to the weight of the vehicle nacelle, but is arranged so that the influence of gravity on the Pendulum movement of the passenger gondola is reinforced, in such a way that a rollover occurs as soon as possible.

In practice, it has now been found that after reaching the uppermost point or zenith of the orbit, the passenger gondola experiences such a high acceleration during its downward movement - in particular due to the additional weight - that the passengers may find such a rollover as unpleasant. A reduction or even the complete omission of the weight would bring about a weakening or even elimination of the problems listed above, but this also undesirably weakens the pendulum property.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop an amusement ride of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the passengers find a rollover of the passenger gondola generated by a pendulum movement to be pleasant.

This object is achieved in a ride of the type mentioned in that the weight is freely movable by changing the radial distance from the pivot axis by the influence of gravity.

Due to the freely movable arrangement, the weight during the rotation of the passenger gondola essentially always strives to return to a lower position due to the influence of gravity, at the latest when reaching the zenith, from an upward position at that moment. Surprisingly, it has been found that in this way the weight on the one hand dampens the acceleration of the passenger gondola during its downward movement and on the other hand generates sufficient additional momentum so that the passenger gondola can continue its next upward movement to the zenith. Due to the weight arranged according to the invention, which is freely movable and under the influence of gravity, its radial distance Varying to the swivel axis, there is a shift in the center of gravity, which on the one hand exerts a damping effect when the passenger gondola moves downward and accelerates again on the upward movement, but at least then prevents substantial braking. As a result, the angular speed of the passenger gondola is evened out in such a way that, with the help of the invention, a gentle rollover of a freely oscillating suspended passenger gondola can be realized in a ride, which gives the passenger a pleasant and at the same time interesting driving experience. Last but not least, a gentle rollover also has advantages in terms of safety.

The above-described influence of the weight arranged variably according to the invention is achieved particularly effectively in that the weight is movable along a path leading through or past the pivot axis and thus on both sides of the pivot axis. In order to obtain the most effective initial pendulum movement that leads to the desired rollover as quickly as possible, the weight should be at a rest position below the axis of rotation in the rest position of the passenger gondola, this rest position preferably being in the area of the center of gravity of the passenger gondola. The distance of the rest position from the pivot axis should preferably be greater than the distance of the opposite end position of the weight in the event of a rollover from the pivot axis.

The above-mentioned measures achieve in a particularly effective manner that the weight exerts an accelerating effect on the passenger gondola in the lower section of its orbit due to the influence of gravity, thus maintaining its function supporting the pendulum movement, so that sufficient kinetic energy is available for the rollover, however, on the other hand, during the rollover, ie during and after passing through the zenith, has no significant accelerating effect.

Likewise, the previously described influence of the weight arranged variably according to the invention is particularly noticeable when the weight is movable along a connecting line between the pivot axis and a line running parallel to the pivot axis through the center of gravity of the passenger gondola.

The weight can consist, for example, of a solid body which is mounted so as to be displaceable along a pendulum arm carrying the passenger nacelle.

A currently particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, is characterized in that the weight is a fluid mass, in particular oil or water mass, which is filled into a liquid tank which is essentially firmly connected to the passenger nacelle or forms part of the passenger nacelle has a larger volume than the fluid mass and is shaped such that the fluid mass changes its radial distance from the pivot axis between different pivot positions of the passenger nacelle due to the influence of gravity. Such a design results in a particularly simple but effective construction.

In a development of the embodiment described above, the liquid tank expands in the area of the rest position of the fluid mass below the pivot axis. The widened section of the liquid tank can be delimited by a wall that extends essentially in a circular arc around the pivot axis or a straight line, and the remaining section of the liquid tank that adjoins the widened section and extends essentially in the direction of the pivot axis has a substantially constant cross-section. These developments have the advantage that the fluid mass forming the weight remains essentially in its rest position for a relatively long time during the initial pendulum movement and the subsequent circular overturning movement, at least in the expanded part, and only when it is approached Zenith of the circular orbit reduces its radial distance from the swivel axis and / or flows to the opposite side of the swivel axis.

The pendulum arm on which the passenger gondola sits can essentially be formed by the liquid tank. So that the liquid tank can take over the function of the pendulum arm, so that a separate pendulum arm is omitted, which leads to a design simplification. But it is also conceivable to attach the liquid tank to the pendulum arm.

The passenger gondola is preferably suspended and designed in such a way that the pivot axis runs essentially through the head of the passenger placed in the passenger gondola. In this way, high centrifugal forces in the head of the passenger are avoided during the rollover, which is certainly advantageous for medical reasons.

The arrangement of the weight according to the invention is preferably found in a ride which has a rotatable and drivable central structure which, on its periphery, pivotably supports a plurality of cantilever arms extending radially outwards, on which the passenger gondolas are suspended, and has an eccentric device which During operation, the boom arms swivel into alternating high and sloping positions, causing the passenger gondolas to oscillate and roll over. The passenger gondolas can preferably be provided with radially outward-facing passenger seats, as a result of which particularly attractive driving impressions are conveyed to the passengers. It is crucial for such driving impressions that the forces transmitted by the - in particular counter-rotating - rotations on the one hand of the central building and on the other hand of the eccentric device to the extension arms have varied rocking and pendulum movements of the passenger gondolas cause that ultimately lead to the desired rollover.

Figur 1

einen vertikalen Mittel schnitt durch ein bevorzugt verwendetes Fahrgeschäft (unter Weglassung unwesentlicher Randaufbauten);

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht eines an einer Fahrgastgondel befestigten Flüssigkeitstanks; und

Figur 3

eine gegenüber der Ansicht von Figur 2 um 90° gedrehte Seitenansicht eines Teils der Fahrgastgondel und der Stirnseite des Flüssigkeitstanks.

A particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

a vertical mean section through a preferred ride (leaving out marginal superstructures);

Figure 2

a side view of a liquid tank attached to a passenger nacelle; and

Figure 3

a side view rotated by 90 ° compared to the view of Figure 2 of a portion of the passenger nacelle and the front of the liquid tank.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred tour business in which the invention is implemented. Nevertheless, the use of the invention is also conceivable for other types of rides, provided that the passenger gondolas are pivoted and in particular are pivoted.

Above a base frame 1 of the roundabout business shown in FIG. 1 with an inclined base plate 2, a central structure 3 is arranged, which can be driven by an electric motor 4 via a belt drive 5 and a countershaft 6 in the area of a ball bearing 7 provided with external teeth.

The central building 3 is surrounded by an eccentric device 8, which is mounted independently of the central building 3 on a machine base frame 1a by means of a ball slewing ring 9 and by an electric motor 10 via a belt drive 11 and a countershaft 12 in - with respect to the rotation of the central building 3, preferably in opposite directions - Rotational movements can be offset.

Above the eccentric device 8, a plurality of bearing blocks 13 are attached in a star shape to the correspondingly high central building 3. On radially outer ends of the bearing blocks 13 belonging to the central structure, cantilever arms 15 are pivotally mounted about axes 16, which extend tangentially to the central axis 3a.

Tension rods 17 belonging to the eccentric device 8, each of which is articulated at one end to a driving ring 18 of the eccentric device 8, are supported at their other ends on the associated cantilever arms 15, specifically about axes 19, which each run parallel to the axes 16, but are spaced from them. In this way, when the eccentric device 8 rotates relative to the central structure 3, the cantilever arms 15 perform pivoting movements. 1 shows with full eccentricity of the eccentric device 8 adjustable by means of a lifting device 20, a cantilever arm 15 in its lowest position (right) and a cantilever arm 15 in its highest position (left).

At the radially outer free ends 15a of the cantilever arms 15, a pendulum arm 21 is pivotally articulated by means - not shown in detail - of ball swivel connections, specifically about pivot axes 22, which in turn extend tangentially to the central axis 3a. At the other ends of the pendulum arms 21, passenger gondolas 23 are rigidly attached, which usually have a plurality of passenger seats arranged next to one another. Of course, pivotable shoulder straps 25 are provided on the passenger gondolas 23, by means of which the passengers are secured in the passenger gondola 23; the arrangement of further such safety restraint devices, which are not shown in the figures, can also be provided on the passenger nacelle 23. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the passenger seats in the present exemplary embodiment are directed radially outward, so that the passengers sit in the pivoting direction of the pendulum arms 21.

The pendulum arms 21 and cantilever arms 15 are designed so that the pendulum arms 21 with the passenger gondolas 23 attached to them, triggered by the pivoting movements of the cantilever arms 15, can perform not only pendulum movements, but also a circular movement with a rollover about the pivot axis 22, as a result of which the passenger further delightful driving impressions are offered. In order to implement a gentle rollover that not only has advantages over a hard rollover in terms of safety aspects, but also gives a more comfortable driving experience, the measures described in accordance with the invention are provided below.

For this purpose, a liquid tank 30 is provided, which is shown in Figures 2 and 3. This liquid tank 30 is firmly connected to the passenger nacelle 23, which is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. A support 28 for the benches is fastened on the front side to the liquid tank 30. The liquid tank 30 can be formed as part of the passenger nacelle 23 or additionally attached separately to it or to its pendulum arm 21. An embodiment is also conceivable, as is indicated in particular in FIG. 3, in which the liquid tank 30 itself forms the pendulum arm for the passenger nacelle 23, and is therefore provided instead of the pendulum arm 21 shown in FIG. 1 and at the free end 15a of the associated extension arm 15 the pivot axis 22 is pivotally articulated and carries the passenger nacelle 23 itself.

According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the passenger gondola 23 is designed in such a way that the pivot axis 22 runs essentially through or adjacent to the head 26a of the passenger 26 seated in the passenger gondola 23, which is only sketched in broken lines in FIG.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the liquid tank 30 is symmetrical about a central axis 31. This central axis 31 runs through the pivot axis 22 and preferably forms a connecting line between the axis of rotation 22, which is perpendicular to the image plane of FIG. 2, and a line running parallel to the pivot axis 22 through the center of gravity of the passenger gondola, which is not shown in the figures; in such a case the central axis 31 can then be defined as a pendulum axis.

The liquid tank 30 has an elongated section 30a, which extends on both sides of the central axis 31 and has a rectangular cross section with spaced-apart side walls 32a and 32b, which are connected according to FIG. 2 above the pivot axis 22 by a semicircularly curved wall 32c. At this point it should be pointed out that the longitudinal extent of the section 30a according to FIG. 2 above the pivot axis 22 can be greater than that shown in FIG. 2, which is also indicated by corresponding broken lines.

According to FIG. 2 below the elongated section 30a and thus below the pivot axis 22, the liquid tank 30 widens to a section 30b, the cross section of which increases with increasing distance from the pivot axis 22. This widened section 30b is delimited by two straight side walls 34a and 34b, which run diverging from one another and adjoin the side walls 32a and 32b of the elongated section 30a, and by a further side wall 36 connecting these two side walls 34a and 34b, which is approximately in a quarter circle the pivot axis 22 extends. Alternatively, the side wall 36 can also run in a straight line, as a result of which the flared section is given a trapezoidal cross section. The widened section 30b of the liquid tank 30 is arranged such that it is located approximately in the region of the center of gravity of the passenger nacelle 23 or in the region of the line running parallel to the pivot axis 22 through the center of gravity of the passenger nacelle 23.

The previously described liquid tank 30 is filled with a liquid 37, preferably oil or water, which takes on the function of a pendulum weight, changing its radial distance from the pivot axis 22 between different rotational positions of the passenger nacelle 23 connected to the liquid tank 30 due to the influence of gravity within the liquid tank 30 is free to move. In order to achieve the above-mentioned weight shifting effect, the liquid tank 30 is therefore only partially filled, preferably so much liquid 37 can be contained in the liquid tank 30 that the expanded section 30b in the position shown in FIG. 2 is preferably half to two thirds , but at most completely filled.

The position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the passenger gondola 23 and the liquid tank 30 connected to it forms the rest position in which the passenger 26 seated in the passenger gondola 23 is in the normal upright sitting position. In this rest position, the liquid 37 in the liquid tank 30 is essentially or completely in its widened section 30b below the pivot axis 22.

If the passenger nacelle 23 is now caused to oscillate by swinging the associated extension arm 15 up and down (see FIG. 1), the liquid 37 remains - essentially due to the larger cross section compared to the elongated section 30a and not least also due to gravity and Centrifugal influences - first in the widened section 30b of the liquid tank 30.

Only when the passenger nacelle 23 starts to flip or loop when the pendulum movements become stronger, does a portion of the liquid 37 initially flow from the widened section 30b into the elongated section 30a of the liquid tank 30. At this point, the passenger nacelle 23 together with the liquid tank 30 is around pivoted more than 90 ° with respect to the rest position shown in FIG. 2, so that at least a larger part of the widened section 30b of the liquid tank 30 is above a horizontal plane 38 spanned by the pivot axis 22 (see FIG. 2). The closer the passenger nacelle 23 approaches the zenith of the circular path in the event of a rollover, the more liquid flows into the elongated section 30a to the opposite end, which is now below the plane 38, so that the liquid now functions a counterweight to the weight of the passenger gondola with the passengers located there. In this way, the resulting center of gravity is shifted in the direction of the pivot axis 22, as a result of which the acceleration of the passenger nacelle 23 after passing through the zenith is essentially dampened during its subsequent downward movement, and a gentle rollover thus results.

With further downward movement of the passenger gondola 23 in the direction of its rest position shown in FIG. 2, the liquid then flows again from the section 30a into the expanded section 30b of the liquid tank, at the latest when the expanded section 30b is below the level with a larger part 38 is located. In this way, the resulting center of gravity is again moved away from the pivot axis 22 in the direction of the carrier 38, so that the original pendulum state is restored and the passenger nacelle 23 receives sufficient momentum for the next rollover due to the influence of gravity and inertia.

The above-described displacement of the liquid within the liquid tank 30 can, however, only be achieved if the centrifugal forces do not fully compensate for the influence of gravity, which can, however, be easily realized with a corresponding control of the pivoting movement of the extension arms 15, apart from the fact that the movement sequence and set the mechanics of the ride anyway.

Finally, it should be pointed out that instead of the liquid described above, a solid body can also be used as the weight, which is correspondingly movably mounted, for example on the pendulum arm 21 shown in FIG. 1, and preferably in the rest position of the passenger gondola shown in FIG 23 is in a rest position below the pivot axis 22 or the plane 38 spanned by it and is freely movable along a path leading through the pivot axis 22 or past it.

Claims (14)

Amusement ride for amusement markets or parks, with at least one passenger gondola (23) which is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (22) which is inclined, in particular essentially horizontal, with respect to the vertical of the earth, the pivoting movement and a resulting rollover of the passenger gondola (23) influencing, variable weight is provided,
characterized in that the weight (37) is freely movable by changing the radial distance from the pivot axis due to the influence of gravity. Fairground ride according to claim 1,
characterized in that the weight (37) is movable along a path leading through or past the pivot axis (22) and thus on both sides of the pivot axis (22). Fairground ride according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that in the rest position of the passenger gondola (23) the weight (37) is in a rest position substantially below the pivot axis (22). Fairground ride according to claims 2 and 3,
characterized in that the distance between the rest position and the pivot axis (22) is greater than the distance between the opposite end position of the weight in the event of a rollover from the pivot axis (22). Fairground ride according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that this rest position lies in the region of the center of gravity of the passenger gondola (23). Amusement ride according to at least one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the weight (37) is movable along a connecting line (31) of the pivot axis (22) and a line running parallel to the pivot axis (22) through the center of gravity of the passenger nacelle (23). Amusement ride according to at least one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the weight is a fluid mass (37), in particular oil or water mass, which is filled in a liquid tank (30) which is essentially firmly connected to the passenger gondola (23) or forms part of the passenger gondola (23), which has a larger volume than the fluid mass (37) and is shaped such that the fluid mass (37) changes its radial distance from the pivot axis (22) between different rotational positions of the passenger nacelle (23) due to the influence of gravity. Fairground ride according to claims 3 and 7,
characterized in that the liquid tank (30) widens in the region of the rest position of the fluid mass (37). Fairground ride according to claim 8,
characterized in that the widened section (30b) of the liquid tank (30) is delimited by a wall (36) extending essentially in the shape of an arc around the pivot axis (22). Fairground ride according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized in that the remaining section (30a) of the liquid tank (30) which adjoins the widened section (30b) and extends essentially in the direction of the pivot axis (22) has a substantially constant cross section. Amusement ride according to at least one of Claims 7 to 10, in which the passenger nacelle (23) is seated on at least one pendulum arm,
characterized in that the pendulum arm is essentially formed by the liquid tank (30) (Fig. 3). Amusement ride according to at least one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that the passenger gondola (23) is designed such that the pivot axis (22) essentially runs through the head (26a) of the passenger (26) placed in the passenger gondola (23). Amusement ride according to at least one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized by a rotatable and drivable central structure (3) which, on its circumference, pivotably supports a plurality of cantilever arms (15) which extend radially outward in a star shape and on which the passenger gondolas (23) are suspended in an oscillating manner, and by an eccentric device (8), which swings the boom arms (15) into alternating high and sloping positions during operation. Fairground ride according to claim 13,
characterized in that the passenger gondolas (23) are provided with radially outwardly directed passenger seats.

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