Patent Publication Number: US-2007113753-A1

Title: Drive for an amusement ride

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Austrian application A 1906/2005, filed Nov. 24, 2005; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates to an amusement ride with a positionally fixed supporting structure on which transport devices for persons circulate. A rope drive is provided for moving the transport devices about the supporting structure.  
      An amusement ride of the type is described in European published patent application EP 459 789. There, the transport devices are cabins driven by way of two endless drive ropes which are driven by a motor. The disadvantage of that embodiment is that it is only possible with a very high degree of technical expenditure to ensure that the two separate rope loops run synchronously, since it is not sufficient to run the two drives at the same rotational speed because even small differences in diameter or circumference of the drive disks would lead to different conveying speeds of the two rope loops.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an amusement ride and a drive therefor which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which ensures that the two rope loops run synchronously.  
      With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an amusement ride, comprising:  
      a positionally fixed supporting structure;  
      transport devices for persons circulating on said supporting structure;  
      a rope drive connected to move said transport devices about said supporting structure, said rope drive having a single closed-loop conveying rope; and  
      a deflecting device disposed to fold said single closed-loop conveying rope into two rope loops engaging with said transport devices.  
      In other words, the objects of the invention are achieved on a generic amusement ride by providing one single closed-loop conveying rope which, in being crossed over by means of a deflecting device, forms two rope loops which each engage on the transport devices, i.e., the transport means.  
      Since the invention provides only one single endless rope which is placed around the supporting structure and connected to the transport means in two rope loops, synchronous running of the two rope loops is automatically ensured.  
      Two embodiments are preferred for connecting the two rope loops to the transport means.  
      One embodiment is characterized in that the conveying rope engages on the transport means by way of a frictionally locking connection, and in that at least one lockable pulley is mounted on the transport means, with the conveying rope bearing on said pulley. In this embodiment, the connection is very simple since it is provided only by the friction caused by the conveying rope bearing firmly against a corresponding contact region of the transport means, in particular against the running gear thereof.  
      The other preferred embodiment is characterized in that the conveying rope is connected to the transport means using detachable clamps. This embodiment ensures an even firmer connection between the conveying rope and the transport means, though with a relatively high degree of technical expenditure for the detachable clamps.  
      With regard to the deflecting direction and the drive for the rope, there are substantially two preferred variants of the invention.  
      The two variants have in common that the deflecting device has two drive disks which are mounted adjacent to one another so as to be coaxial, and in each case one pair of deflecting rollers, which are mounted adjacent to one another, at the run-in side before the deflecting device and at the run-out side after the deflecting device.  
      The first variant is characterized in that the drive disks are driven in opposite directions, and in that the deflecting rollers are mounted with their axes parallel to one another.  
      The second variant is characterized in that the drive disks are driven in the same direction, in that one pair of the deflecting rollers is mounted with their axes coaxial, in that the other pair of deflecting rollers is mounted with their axes inclined relative to one another, in that a guide device is arranged in the region of said other pair of deflecting rollers, and in that the rope loops cross one another between the guide device and said other pair of deflecting rollers.  
      Further preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the remaining subclaims.  
      Further advantages and features of the invention can be gathered from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings.  
      Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
      Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in drive for ferris wheel, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.  
      The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an amusement ride according to the invention;  
       FIG. 2  shows, on a larger scale, the entry and exit region of the amusement ride, and the drive disposed below the entry and exit region;  
       FIG. 3  shows a first embodiment of the connection of the conveying ropes to the cabins;  
       FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment of the guidance of the cabins on rails;  
       FIG. 5  shows the drive of the amusement ride on a larger scale;  
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of the rope guidance system in the region of the drive of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 7  shows an alternative variant of a drive; and  
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating the rope guidance system in the region of the drive of  FIG. 7 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a perspective view of an amusement ride according to the invention. The device according to the invention will also be referred to as a recreational device. In the exemplary embodiment, the device is illustrated as a “Ferris wheel.” The recreational device has a positionally fixed, rigid supporting structure  1  which is embodied, for example, as a rebar reinforced concrete ring, on which transport means  2  in the form of cabins circulate. The outer face  4  of the supporting structure is—with the exception of the entry and exit region  3  situated at the bottom—cylindrical, but may have a shape which deviates from this and be, for example, elliptical. In the entry region  3 , the outer face  4  is straight in order to provide a relatively long horizontal entry region (not illustrated in detail) for the passengers. The drive  5  is arranged below the entry region  3  and is in practice arranged in a machine housing so as to be hidden from view.  
      Rails  6  are attached to the outer circumferential face  4  of the supporting structure  1 , with running rollers  7 , which are mounted on a running gear  8  of the cabins  2 , rolling on said rails. The individual cabins  2  are connected to one another and held at a defined distance from one another by means of one or more connecting ropes  9 , referred to as interconnectors, which are fixedly connected by means of clamps  10  to the running gear  8  of each cabin  2 . It is also possible to provide other interconnectors instead of the connecting ropes  9 . It is however advantageous to use three connecting ropes  9  because this provides a very stable and secure connection between the cabins  2 .  
       FIG. 3  also shows a further two pairs of running rollers  11  per running gear  8 , said further running rollers  11  serving to support the cabins  2  when the latter are suspended in the entry and exit region  3  below the structure  1 .  
      Platforms, if appropriate with seats, are arranged in the cabins  2 , said platforms being kept horizontal at all times by means of suitable devices while the cabins rotate as they circulate around the supporting structure  1 .  
      The cabins  2  are driven by means of one single closed-loop rope  12  which, in two loops  12   a  and  12   b , engages at both sides of the cabins  2  over the running rollers  7  on the running gear  8  of the cabins  2 . In this embodiment, the running rollers  7  serve at the same time as friction rollers so that, as a result of the synchronous progressive movement of the two rope loops  12   a  and  12   b , a propulsive force is exerted on the running rollers  7  by means of friction forces, said propulsive force moving the cabins  2  forwards. As a result of the selected form of force transmission, the cabins  2  move at half the speed of the two rope loops  12   a  and  12   b  of the conveying rope  12 .  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the running rollers  8  are of a different design to those in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , specifically in the form of a total of twelve running rollers, four pairs of which are arranged on one side of the rails  6 , and the other four individual rollers of which roll on the opposite, inner side of the rails  6 . The number of running rollers can vary depending on loading.  
       FIG. 4  also illustrates a different form of connection between the rope loops  12   a  and  12   b  and the running gear  8 . In this embodiment, the rope loops  12   a  and  12   b  engage on separate friction wheels  13  which, although being rotatably mounted on the running gear  8 , can be locked so that they do not rotate for normal operation. The cabins are conveyed at the same speed as the rope loops  12   a  and  12   b  as a result of the friction between the rope  12  and the friction wheels  13 . The function of the rotatable mounting of the friction wheels  13  will be explained further below.  
      Two drive disks  14 , which are driven by motors  15 , are provided in the region of the drive  5 , as can be seen in detail in a first embodiment of the invention in  FIG. 5 . The drives rotate at the same speed in opposite directions. Synchronous running of the two drive disks  14   a ,  14   b  is obtained either by control-related means or by mechanically coupling the two drives. Above the drive disks  14   a ,  14   b , two pairs of deflecting rollers  16   a ,  16   b  and  17   a ,  17   b  are provided, the rotational axes of which are arranged-offset relative to one another. Said offset arrangement of the deflecting rollers makes it possible for the two rope loops  12   a  and  12   b  to cross in the region of the drive  5 . In physical terms, the rope of the rope loop  12   a  which runs in from the left in  FIG. 5  runs over the deflecting roller  16   a  and the drive disk  14   a , is then guided over the deflecting roller  17   b , and runs out of the drive  5  in the rope loop  12   b . In contrast, the rope of the rope loop  12   b  which runs in from the left is guided over the deflecting roller  16   b  to the drive disk  14   b , and runs over the deflecting roller  17   a  and out of the drive unit  5  in the rope loop  12   a . In other words, the rope  12  is switched from the rope loop  12   a  through the drive unit  5  to the rope loop  12   b , and from the rope loop  12   b  to the rope loop  12   a.    
      Absolutely synchronous running of the two rope loops  12   a  and  12   b  is ensured as a result of the two rope loops  12   a ,  12   b  being formed by one single closed-loop rope, so that it is ensured that the cabins  2  run without tilting, which not only minimizes the expenditure in mounting the running gear  8  on the rails  6  of the supporting structure  1 , but also keeps the wear of the running gear and of the rails as low as possible.  
      After assembly of the recreational device according to the invention, the drive  5  must initially be run-in. This is necessary since it is not possible for the two drive disks  14   a  and  14   b  to be produced with such a degree of accuracy that they have exactly the same diameter and circumference, which is required since only one single encircling rope is used, and the two rope loops  12   a ,  12   b  must therefore be driven at the same speed.  
      The running-in process eliminates geometric differences between the two drive disks  14   a  and  14   b , primarily as a result of mechanical abrasion on the drive disks  14   a  and/or  14   b . It is however advantageous if the cabins  2  do not have to be driven during said running-in process. It is for this reason that the friction rollers  13  in the embodiment of  FIG. 4  are initially freely rotatable, so that the conveying rope  12  can roll on them without moving the cabins  2 . The friction rollers  13  are only locked once the running-in process is complete, so that the cabins  2  move at the same speed as the rope  12  as a result of the frictionally locking connection between the rope  12  and the friction rollers  13 .  
      As can be seen from the drawings, the rope  12  bears against the running rollers  7  and friction rollers  13  from the outside so that, in addition to the taut connecting ropes  9 , the taut rope  12  also presses the running gears  8  of the cabins  2  firmly against the rails  6 . At the start of the entry and exit region  3 , however, the rope  12  moves away from the running rollers  7  and the friction rollers  13  since the rope  12  is conveyed directly to the deflecting rollers  16   a ,  16   b , whereas the guide track  4  with the rails  6  continues horizontally. Until contact is regained between the rope  12  and the running rollers  7  and friction rollers  13  at the end of the entry and exit region  3 , the cabins  2  are driven by means of the connecting ropes  9 , by means of which the running gears  8  of the cabins  2  remain held pressed against the rails  6 . As mentioned, the running rollers  11  ( FIG. 3 ) or the radially inwardly situated running roller pairs  8  ( FIG. 4 ) are additionally provided, said running rollers  11  or running roller pairs  8  preventing the suspended gondolas  2  from lifting off the rails  6 .  
      Instead of a frictionally locking connection between the rope  12  and the running gear  8  in the form of friction rollers  13  ( FIG. 4 ) or running rollers ( FIG. 3 ), it is fundamentally also possible to provide other forms of connection between the rope  12  and the running gears  8 . For example, detachable coupling elements could be provided on the running gears, by means of which detachable coupling elements the cabins  2  are decoupled from the rope  12  at the start of the entry and exit region  3 , and are coupled on again at the end of said region.  
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a drive  5 . Two drive disks  18   a  and  18   b  are again provided, though in this embodiment said drive disks  18   a  and  18   b  rotate in the same direction and are rigidly connected to one another by means of a shaft  21 . The drive disks  18   a  and  18   b  are driven by one or two motors  22 , it being preferable to use two motors  22  since, if one motor fails, the operation of the recreational device can continue, if appropriate with reduced power, by decoupling the failed motor from the shaft  21 .  
      In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , two coaxially arranged deflecting rollers  20   a  and  20   b  are provided at the run-out side, and two deflecting rollers  19   a  and  19   b , which are arranged adjacent to one another but with their rotational axes inclined relative to one another, are provided at the run-in side. In addition, a guide device  23  is arranged at the run-in side before the two deflecting rollers  19   a  and  19   b , said guide device  23  having two pulleys  24   a  and  24   b  which are mounted coaxially and rotate counter to one another. Here, the two rope loops  12   a  and  12   b  cross in the region between the guide device  23  and the two deflecting rollers  19   a  and  19   b . In physical terms, the rope of the rope loop  12   a  which runs in from the left in  FIGS. 7 and 8  runs over the upper pulley  24   a  of the guide device  23  to the deflecting roller  19   b  and over the drive disk  18   b , is then guided over the deflecting roller  20   b  and runs out of the drive  5  in-the rope loop  12   b . In contrast, the rope of the rope loop  12   b  which runs in from the left is guided through over the lower pulley  24   b  of the guide device  23  and below the rope of the rope loop  12   a , and runs over the deflecting-roller  19   a , the drive disk  18   a  and the deflecting roller  20   a  and out of the drive unit  5  in the rope loop  12   a.    
      Although the embodiment of the drive according to  FIGS. 7 and 8  requires an additional guide device  23  in comparison to the embodiment of the drive according to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the former embodiment has the mentioned advantages regarding the synchronous drive of the two drive disks  18   a  and  18   b  by means of the mechanical coupling provided by the shaft  21 .