Amusement ride and method for operating an amusement ride

Abstract

An amusement ride includes a passenger receiver, a first carrier, a first movement device, a second carrier, a second movement device, a first releasable coupling device for releasably coupling the first carrier to the passenger receiver and a second releasable coupling device for releasably coupling the second carrier to the passenger receiver. A releasable connecting device is formed to connect the first carrier and the second carrier at least in a movement direction of one of the carriers independently of a coupling existing via the coupling devices or comprises a compensating device, which enables a relative movement of the carriers in relation to each other in the coupled state of the first coupling device and the coupled state of the second coupling device at least in the movement direction of one of the carriers. Furthermore, a method for operating an amusement ride is specified.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 102023135595.3, filed on Dec. 18, 2023, the content of which is incorporated in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to an amusement ride and a method for the operation thereof.

BACKGROUND

An amusement ride is known from DE 10 2018 209 174 A1, having a gondola that can be coupled to a robot arm via a coupling device and to a mobile carriage via a further coupling device. In order to relocate the gondola from the carriage to the robot arm, it is provided that the coupling device to the robot arm is firstly closed and then the coupling to the mobile carriage is released.

The system known from DE 10 2018 209 174 A1 is provided to transfer the gondola from the carriage to the robot arm when stationary. In order to create an improved travelling experience for the user, it is desirable to be able to transfer the passenger receiver between different carriers, which are driven by different movement devices, even during the ride operation.

SUMMARY

An object of the disclosure is to create an amusement ride of the generic type, with which a transfer of a passenger receiver between different carriers is easily possible even during ride operation. A further object of the disclosure is to specify a method for operating an amusement ride, with which a transfer of a passenger receiver between different carriers is made possible even during ride operation.

These objects are achieved by an amusement ride and a method as disclosed herein.

In principle, it is possible to synchronise the movement of two carriers for the passenger receiver during a relocation process in such a way that the two carriers move uniformly in the space. In principle, a transfer by coupling the second carrier and releasing the coupling device to the first carrier is then possible. However, in the event of a fault, for example in the event of an emergency stop, power failure or in the event of component failure, this uniform movement of the two carriers in the space can only be ensured with a great deal of effort. If the uniform movement is not ensured during the transfer process, then undefined states could emerge during the transfer process. In the event of a fault, for example, the carriers are braked mechanically with a full brake application. Due to different mass inertias of the carriers and the elements connected to the carriers and different braking properties of the movement devices, this could lead to the carriers no longer moving uniformly.

The amusement ride comprises a detachable connecting device which is formed to connect the two carriers. Here, the connecting device is formed in such a way that the connection of the two carriers via the connecting device is independent of a coupling of the two carriers via the coupling devices. Here, the connecting device connects the first carrier and the second carrier at least in a movement direction of one of the carriers. Due to the connecting device, the carriers cannot move independently of each other in the movement direction. The carriers are coupled in the movement direction via the connecting device. Due to the connecting device, the two carriers move at least in the movement direction of the at least one carrier in the connected state of the connecting device, in particular forcibly uniformly with each other. Even in the event of a fault, this is a simple way of ensuring that the two carriers move extensively uniformly with each other, at least in the movement direction. Even when the passenger receiver is coupled to both carriers at the time the fault occurs, excessive forces introduced into the passenger receiver via the coupling devices can be easily avoided.

During the relocation process, the movement of the two carriers is synchronised in particular in such a way that the movement direction of the first carrier coincides at least temporarily with the movement direction of the second carrier. In particular, the connecting device couples the carriers at least in the common movement direction of the first carrier and the second carrier.

In particular, the connecting device couples the two carriers in the movement direction and in at least one direction transverse to the movement direction. In one design variant, the connecting device produces a fixed connection of the two carriers in all three spatial directions.

The movement direction is the direction in which at least one of the carriers moves during the connection of the two carriers via the connecting device and in the connected state of the connecting device. If the carrier, in whose movement direction the connecting device couples the two carriers, is moved along a rail system, then the movement direction of the carrier is the longitudinal direction of the rail.

The movement direction of the carrier can change during the relocation process. For example, the relocation process is carried out in a curve of the rail system.

If the movement devices are designed differently, then in the prior art these different movement devices must be controlled during coupling to ensure uniform movement of the carriers. This can be comparatively complex, for example when the free movement of a robot arm has to be coordinated with the linear movement of a rail vehicle.

The movements of the two carriers in the space no longer have to be taken into consideration when carrying out the coupling movement due to the connection via the connecting device, at least in the movement direction of at least one carrier, such that the coupling movement can be carried out easily. Due to the connection via the connecting device, the two carriers are in the same coordinate system moving in the space at least with respect to an axis, in particular with respect to all spatial axes, such that the movement in the space at least in one direction, in particular in all directions, need not be taken into consideration for carrying out a coupling movement in relation to the two carriers.

If both coupling devices are coupled to the passenger receiver, then the two carriers are connected to each other via the two coupling devices on the one hand and independently of this via the connecting device on the other hand.

In particular, the connecting device produces a mechanically fixed connection of the two carriers in at least one spatial direction, in particular in all three spatial directions.

In particular, the connecting device is designed to prevent a relative movement of the first carrier and the second carrier at least in the movement direction of more than 10 cm, in particular of more than 5 cm, in particular of more than 10 mm, in the connected state of the connecting device. Accordingly, the two carriers can only move slightly in relation to each other in the connected state of the connecting device, at least in the movement direction. In particular, relative movements in the order of magnitude of normal manufacturing tolerances and elasticities of the assemblies are excluded.

In particular, the connection of at least one movement device to the allocated carrier is designed in such a way that the carrier can move at least in the movement direction with the other carrier independently of a drive by the movement device, at least in the connected state of the connection device. When the connecting device is connected, the one carrier is thus entrained by the other carrier at least in the movement direction. This ensures that the passenger receiver can move together with the two carriers, even when one of the carriers is not driven by the allocated movement device. This can be easily implemented, for example, by interrupting the drive connection of a carrier, by suitable electrical control of the drive technology, a coupling or a freewheel in the drive connection of the movement device with the allocated carrier or similar. In the case of a hydraulic drive, for example, this can be switched without energy. The drive connection of a carrier is interrupted in particular when connecting the connecting device. In a direction transverse to the movement direction, the carrier can continue to be driven by the movement device even in the connected state of the connecting device.

In particular, the amusement ride comprises at least one relocation device. The relocation device is designed to carry out a relative movement of the passenger receiver with respect to the first carrier and the second carrier, at least in the connected state of the connecting device. In particular, the relocation device is arranged on the first carrier or on the second carrier. The relocation device thus moves together with the two carriers in the connected state of the connecting device. After releasing a coupling device, the relocation device allows the passenger receiver to be removed from the carrier on which this coupling device is arranged. Correspondingly, the relocation device enables the passenger receiver to be fitted to a carrier before the passenger receiver is coupled to this carrier via the allocated coupling device.

In particular, the relocation device is designed to carry out at least one translational and/or at least one rotatory movement of the passenger receiver. In a simple design, a passenger receiver can be pushed or pulled away from a carrier with a translational movement or pivoted out of the region of a carrier with a rotatory movement. In this case, the relocation device can be formed as a slider or pivot arm, for example. In particular, the relocation device can carry out rotational and/or translational movements in several axes such that a pleasant transition from one carrier to the other is achieved for the passengers in the passenger receiver.

In particular, it is provided that the relocation device is a robot arm. In particular, the relocation device is a pivot arm robot or a buckling arm robot. In particular, the robot arm has at least six rotational axes of movement. However, the relocation device can also be designed in other ways. In particular, the relocation device can have one or more translational axes of movement.

In an alternative design, it is provided in particular that at least one movement device is designed to carry out a movement of the carriers in relation to each other with a directional component transverse to the direction of movement, while the carriers are coupled in the direction of movement via the connecting device. If at least one carrier is guided on a rail system, then the connecting device can couple the carriers in relation to the longitudinal direction of the rails. Thus, the carriers move uniformly with each other in the longitudinal direction of the rails.

In particular, the relative movement of the carriers with the directional component transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction of movement causes decoupling of one of the coupling devices.

In particular, it is provided that at least one carrier is moved on a rail system. In a design variant, the amusement ride comprises a rail system for one of the carriers and an autonomous drive system, such as is used for driverless transport systems, for example, for the other carrier. Any other combination of movement devices and guide systems, for example rail systems on which the passenger receiver is suspended and rail systems on which the passenger receiver rests or travels, can also be advantageous.

In particular, at least one movement device enables the carrier to be shifted on the floor in all directions. Alternatively, or additionally, it can be provided that a carrier is mounted in a fixed position and in a rotatable manner. The movement device of this carrier is a device that enables a rotation of the carrier, such as a rotary drive, for example.

In particular, the two carriers are guided on rail systems that run parallel to each other in the region in which the passenger receiver is coupled to the two carriers. After coupling to the second coupling device, one of the rail systems can carry out a movement of the first carrier in a vertical direction or in a horizontal direction and thus release the passenger receiver, which is already coupled to the second carrier, from the first carrier.

The at least one movement device can be formed mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, magnetically and/or electrically, for example.

The first coupling device and/or the second coupling device can act mechanically, magnetically, hydraulically and/or pneumatically.

Any other kind of drive and of design of the coupling devices can also be advantageous.

For a method of operating a amusement ride, it is provided that, starting from an initial state in which the passenger receiver is coupled to the first carrier via the first coupling device, the first and second carriers are connected via the connecting device at least in the movement device of one of the carriers, and in a subsequent method step the passenger receiver is coupled to the second carrier via the second coupling device, while the connection of the first carrier and second carrier is maintained via the connecting device.

In particular, the first coupling device is released, while the connection of the first carrier and second carrier is maintained via the connecting device.

Advantageously, the connecting device is released after the passenger receiver has been coupled to the second carrier via the second coupling device and the first coupling device has been released.

The connection of the carriers via the connecting device is kept in a connected state, in particular during the entire transfer process, in particular during the coupling of the second coupling device and the release of the first coupling device.

In an advantageous design, for the transfer of a passenger receiver from a first carrier to a second carrier, it is provided that, in the initial state, the passenger receiver is coupled to the first carrier via the first coupling device. The connecting device is set to the connected state such that the first carrier and the second carrier are connected via the connecting device. In particular, the movements of the first carrier and the second carrier are synchronised for this purpose. The passenger receiver is then coupled to the second carrier via the second coupling device. In this state, the first carrier and the second carrier are fixedly connected to each other via the connecting device on the one hand and via the two coupling devices and the passenger receiver on the other. The first coupling device is then released. In particular, the passenger receiver with the relocation device is then removed from the first carrier. The connecting device is then released.

To transfer a passenger receiver from a second carrier, on which the relocation device is arranged, to a first carrier, it is provided in particular that, starting from an initial state in which the passenger receiver is connected to the second carrier via a second coupling device, the movements of the first carrier and second carrier are first synchronised, and the connecting device is set to the connected state. The passenger receiver is then arranged on the first carrier by the relocation device in such a way that the first coupling device can be coupled. The first coupling device is then coupled. The second coupling device is then released, and the relocation device moves out of the region of the passenger receiver or out of the region of the carrier. The connecting device can then be released.

In an alternative design of an amusement ride, a compensating device is provided which can compensate for relative movements of the carriers during the coupling process. The compensating device is advantageously designed in such a way that the compensating device enables a relative movement of the two carriers to each other in the coupled state of the first coupling device and the second coupling device.

The relative movement corresponds in particular to at least the difference between the maximum first braking distance that the first carrier carries out in the event of a fault and the maximum second braking distance that the second carrier carries out in the event of a fault. Presently, a fault comprises in particular an emergency stop, emergency braking, component failure and/or a power failure. Here, the maximum braking distance is in particular the maximum braking distance that the carrier carries out in the most unfavourable case. In particular, the relative movement is possible in parallel to the direction of movement of at least one of the carriers.

In an advantageous design, it is provided that the compensating device comprises at least one spring/damper element that enables a relative movement of the carriers to each other. In particular, the compensating device enables a relative movement of the passenger receiver with respect to a carrier and/or with respect to the relocation device. Presently, a spring/damper element refers to any device that has flexible and/or damping properties. The spring/damper element can, for example, be or comprise a spring or a gas pressure damper or a combination of spring and damper elements.

In particular, at least one coupling device is formed by a commercially available tool changing system. Another design of a coupling device can also be advantageous.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below by means of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show an exemplary embodiment of an amusement ride in different method states, wherein the Figure labelled with “A” respectively depicts a schematic side view and the Figure labelled with “B” respectively depicts a schematic top view of the side view in Figure A.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of an amusement ride.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an exemplary embodiment of an amusement ride in different method states, wherein the Figure labelled with “A” respectively depicts a schematic side view and the Figure labelled with “B” respectively depicts a schematic top view of the side view in Figure A.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show schematic top views of exemplary embodiments of amusement rides.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic side view of a coupling device.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic side view of the coupling device from FIG. 12 in the direction of arrow XIII in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 to FIG. 18 show an exemplary embodiment of an amusement ride in different method states in schematic side views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show an amusement ride 1. Here, FIG. 1B is a top view in the direction of the arrow IB in FIG. 1A. In the exemplary embodiment, the amusement ride 1 comprises a passenger receiver 2, which is depicted as a seat in FIG. 1A. The passenger receiver 2 can be designed in any other desired shape. The orientation of the passenger receiver 2 can also be chosen as desired, in deviation from the depiction in FIG. 1A. The passenger receiver 2 can be designed to accommodate one or more passengers. A multi-part design of a passenger receiver 2 can also be provided in such a way that the passengers of a passenger receiver 2 can be moved in different ways or transported on to different movement devices.

The amusement ride 1 comprises a first carrier 3 and a second carrier 9. The two carriers 3 and 9 are each designed to transport the passenger receiver 2. The passenger receiver 2 can be moved in the space with the first carrier 3 or with the second carrier 9. In order to be able to offer the user a good travelling experience, it is desirable to transfer the passenger receiver 2 from one carrier 3, 9 to the other during travelling operation—i.e. while the passenger receiver 2 is moving in the space. The transfer from the first carrier 3 to the second carrier 9 is depicted as an example in the figures. A transfer from the second carrier 9 to the first carrier 3 is possible in a corresponding way.

The first carrier 3 can be moved with a movement device 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the first carrier 3 can be shifted with the movement device 4 on a rail system 7. The rail system 7 can be a system on which the carrier 3 travels. Alternatively, a rail system 7 on which the carrier 3 hangs is also possible. The carrier 3 can be moved in the space in any conceivable way. A floating movement, for example for attractions that simulate movement on a river, or a free movement in the space can also be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, the carrier 3 has wheels 6, which are driven by a drive 5 of the movement device 4, for example an electric engine. A drive via a chain or cable is also advantageous with a rail system 7. In particular, the movement device 4 can be arranged on the support 3 or positioned in a fixed location in the space.

The amusement ride 1 comprises a second carrier 9. The second carrier 9 comprises a movement direction 8, which can, for example, comprise a drive engine and drive wheels 10 of the carrier 9. The carrier 9 with the movement direction 8 can, for example, be an autonomous vehicle. Alternatively, the movement device 8 can be arranged separately from the carrier 9 and formed to move the carrier 9.

The passenger receiver 2 is held on the carrier 3 via a first detachable coupling device 23. The first coupling device 23 has a first coupling section 24, which is arranged on the passenger receiver 2, and a second coupling section 25, which is held on the carrier 3. The coupling device 23 has a coupled state 33 and a released state. In the coupled state 33 of the first coupling device 23 depicted in FIG. 1A, the two coupling sections 24 and 25 are fixedly connected to each other. Thus, the passenger receiver 2 is fixedly connected to the carrier 3 and can be moved by the movement device 4 of the carrier 3. The passenger receiver 2 moreover supports a first coupling section 27 of a second coupling device 26. A second coupling section 28 of the second coupling device 26 is held on a relocation device 11. The relocation device 11 is arranged on the second carrier 9. The relocation device 11 is formed to move the passenger receiver 2 in relation to the carriers 3, 9.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the second coupling device 26 is in the decoupling state 34 in which the coupling sections 27 and 28 can be moved independently of each other.

The coupling devices 23 and 26 can, for example, be mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic and/or hydraulic coupling devices. In the exemplary embodiment, each coupling device 23, 26 comprises a first coupling section 24, 27 and a second coupling section 25, 28. A larger number of coupling sections 24, 25, 27, 28 can also be advantageous, for example when very high forces are to be transmitted or redundant coupling devices are desired.

The amusement ride 1 comprises a connecting device 29, which is designed to connect the two carriers 3 and 9 to each other. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the connecting device 29 is in a released state 36. The connecting device 29 comprises a first connecting section 30 on the first carrier 3 and a second connecting section 31 on the second carrier 9. In the released state 36 of the connecting device 29, the carriers 3 and 9 can move independently of each other.

As FIG. 1B shows in a top view, the connecting device 29 can comprise several first connecting sections 30 and several second connecting sections 31 interacting with these. The person skilled in the art can suitably select the number of connecting sections 30 and 31 in order to be able to safely transfer the acting forces.

In the exemplary embodiment, the relocation device 11 is a robot arm, namely a six-axis robot. The robot arm comprises six rotary pivoting axes 17 to 22. The relocation device 11 comprises a frame 12, which is arranged on the carrier 9. A carousel 13 is mounted on the frame 12 so that it can pivot around a first pivoting axis 17. A rocker 14 is pivotably mounted on the carousel 13 around a second pivot axis 18. An arm 15 is pivotably mounted on the rocker 14 around a pivot axis 19. In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot axis 17 is aligned vertically and the pivoting axes 18 and 19 are preferably aligned horizontally and, in particular, in parallel to each other. A hand 16 is pivotably mounted on the arm 15 around a fourth pivot axis 20. The fourth pivot axis 20 runs in the longitudinal direction of the arm 15. The hand 16 has a fifth pivot axis 21 and a sixth pivot axis 22. The second coupling section 28 is arranged on the hand 16. The pivoting axes 17 to 22 are arranged and aligned in such a way that the section of the hand 16 that supports the coupling section 28 can carry out any movement in the space. Instead of the pivot axes 17 to 22, one or more translational axes can also be provided.

The amusement ride 1 can comprise different attractions, for example a rail-bound attraction and an attraction in which the passenger receiver 2 can move freely in the space. Each attraction comprises a carrier 3, 9 and a movement device 4, 8. In order to be able to move the passenger receiver 2 between the attractions without stopping, it is provided that the movement of the second carrier 9 is first synchronised with the movement of the first carrier 3. This is depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The connecting device 29 is then moved from the released state 36 to the connected state 37. The connected state 37 of the carriers 3 and 9 is depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Furthermore, the passenger receiver 2 is fixedly connected to the first carrier 3 via the first coupling device 23. The carrier 3 moves in a movement direction 38 while the connecting device 29 is placed in the connected state 37. The carrier 9 moves in a movement direction 39 while the connecting device 29 is placed in the connected state 37.

In the connected state of the connecting device 29, the carriers 3 and 9 can advantageously only carry out a very slight movement in relation to each other. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1A to FIG. 6B, the carriers 3 and 9 are coupled to one another in all spatial directions via the connecting device 29. In the connected state 37, the possible relative movement of the carriers 3 and 9 to each other is in particular no more than 10 cm, in particular no more than 5 cm, in particular no more than 10 mm. For example, the connecting device 29 establishes a mechanical connection between the carriers 3 and 9 without play. Alternatively, it can be provided that the connecting device 29 couples the carriers 3 and 9 only in the movement direction 38 of the first carrier 3, such that relative movements of the carriers 3 and 9 in the movement direction 38 are restricted, and movements of the carriers 3 and 9 in relation to each other transversely to the movement direction 38 are possible. Alternatively, the connecting device 29 can couple the carriers 3 and 9 only in the movement direction 39 of the second carrier 9. In particular, the movement directions 38 and 39 are the same while the connecting device 29 is set to the connected state 37.

In particular, one of the movement devices 4 and/or 8 is not coupled to the allocated wheels 7 and/or 10 when the connecting device 29 is in the connected state 37. For this purpose, for example, a freewheel 40 can be provided, as depicted schematically in FIGS. 1A and 2A for the connection of the drive 5 to the wheels 6. The freewheel 40 is only depicted as an example. Instead of the freewheel 40, an interruption of the drive connection is carried out by suitable electrical control of the drive technology, a coupling or other suitable means. The drive of the first carrier 3 can also be interrupted or suspended in any other suitable way.

The first carrier 3 is entrained by the second carrier 9 via the connecting device 29 as soon as the connecting device 29 is in its connected state 37. The first carrier 3 moves with the second carrier 9 independently of a drive by the movement device 4.

After the two carriers 3 and 9 have been connected to each other via the connecting device 29, the hand 16 of the relocation device 11 can be positioned on the passenger receiver 2 by suitable control of the relocation device 11 in such a way that the coupling sections 27 and 28 can be connected to each other. After the coupling sections 27 and 28 have been connected, the second coupling device 26 is in the coupled state 35, as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Furthermore, the connecting device 29 is in the connected state 37. The passenger receiver 2 is fixedly connected to the two carriers 3 and 9. The two carriers 3 and 9 are connected to each other both via the passenger receiver 2 and via the connecting device 29.

The coupling sections 24 and 25 can then be released from each other, and thus the first coupling device 23 can be brought into the decoupled state 32, as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The relocation device 11 can then remove the passenger receiver 2 from the first carrier 3. Furthermore, the second coupling device 26 is in the coupled state 35, and furthermore the connecting device 29 is in the connected state 37. The carriers 3 and 9 continue to move uniformly with each other in the movement directions 38 and 39, which are identical.

The passenger receiver 2 can then be pivoted out of the region of the first carrier 3 by means of the relocation device 11, as depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The connecting device 29 advantageously remains in the connected state 37. The connecting device 29 is advantageously released only when the passenger receiver 2 is outside the region of the first carrier 3. The carriers 3 and 9 can then move independently of each other. The passenger receiver 2 can be moved by the relocation device 11 when the relocation device 11 itself forms an attraction, or can be moved by the carrier 9 and/or the relocation device 11 to another, not depicted, attraction. It can also be advantageous to move the passenger receiver 2 to an entry position after it has been removed from the first carrier 3. The fact that the passenger receiver 2 is removed from the moving carrier 3 means that the carrier 3 does not need to be stopped for passengers to board and disembark.

The method can be carried out in reverse order to attach a passenger receiver 2 to a carrier 3: Synchronising the movements of the carriers 3 and 9, connecting the carriers 3 and 9 by means of the connecting device 29, attaching the passenger receiver 2 to the first carrier 9 by means of the relocation device 11, coupling the first coupling device 23, releasing the second coupling device 26, pivoting out the relocation device 11 and releasing the connecting device 29.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an alternative exemplary embodiment in which the second carrier 9 cannot be moved linearly, but rather is rotatably mounted around a rotational axis 41. The rails of the rail system 7 run in a circle around the second carrier 9 in the region in which the passenger receiver 2 is to be relocated. The method is carried out corresponding to the method shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, wherein the carrier 3 moves in a circle around the rotational axis 41 and the carrier 9 rotates around the axis 41. With regard to elements not described in more detail, reference is made to the description of the preceding exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show an alternative exemplary embodiment of an amusement ride 1. The same reference numerals here denote corresponding elements in all figures. For elements not described in more detail, reference is made to the description of the preceding exemplary embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 8A and 8B, there is no connecting device 29. Instead, the amusement ride 1 has a compensation device 50. The compensation device 50 is arranged in the active connection of the passenger receiver 2 and the carrier 3. In the exemplary embodiment, the compensating device 50 is arranged between the second coupling section 25 of the first coupling device 23 and the carrier 3. The compensation device 50 permits a relative movement of the passenger receiver 2 with respect to the carrier 3 in the movement direction 38, 39 of the two carriers 3 and 9. As FIG. 8B shows, the compensation device 50 has springs 51 and 52 depicted by way of example in the Figures for this purpose. Instead of the springs 51 and 52, any suitable type of spring/damper element can be provided.

In the event of a fault, for example during emergency braking, the carrier 3 covers a maximum path s₁ as illustrated schematically in FIG. 8B. The carrier 9 covers a maximum path s₂. The paths s₁ and s₂ are not the same size. In the exemplary embodiment, the path s₁ is greater than the path s₂. The sizes of the paths s₁ and s₂ can depend, for example, on mass inertia, the type of braking systems, the state of wear of the braking systems and similar. The paths s₁ and s₂ are the greatest paths resulting in the most unfavourable case. Depending on the design of the carriers 3 and 9 and the mass inertia of the components, the path s₁ can also be smaller than the path s₂. The paths s₁ and s₂ deviate from each other by a differential path Δs. The differential path Δs can be in the scale of a few centimetres to a few metres, for example.

In the event of a fault, in particular in the event of an emergency stop, emergency braking or a power failure, the carrier 3 with the components arranged on it carries out the maximum path s₁ after the fault has occurred. The carrier 9 with the components arranged on it travels the maximum path s₂. The compensation device 50 is designed in such a way that it enables the passenger receiver 2 to move in relation to the carrier 3 by at least the differential path Δs. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, the differential path Δs is, for example, approximately 1 cm to approximately 50 cm.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the amusement ride 1 from FIGS. 8A and 8B is shown in a state in which the two coupling devices 23 and 26 are in their coupled state 33 or 35. After a fault has occurred, the amusement ride 1 has carried out an emergency braking of the carriers 3 and 9. After the fault occurred, the carrier 3 here moved by the path s₁ and carrier 9 by the path s₂. The differential path Δs is compensated for by the compensation device 50. The passenger receiver 2 has moved by the differential path Δs in relation to the carrier 3 in opposition to the movement direction 38 of the carrier 3. Due to the compensation device 50, the passenger receiver 2 and the carrier 9 were also able to move uniformly with each other even after the fault occurred. This prevents excessive forces on the passenger receiver 2, even when different paths s₁ and s₂ are travelled by the carriers 3 and 9 during the coupling of the passenger receiver 2 to the two carriers 3 and 9 via the two coupling devices 23 and 26 in the event of a fault.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show alternative designs for the amusement ride shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the compensation device 50 is arranged in the active connection between the relocation device 11 and the carrier 9. In the event of a fault, the passenger receiver 2 moves with the carrier 3. The relocation device 11 is entrained in this movement via the second coupling device 26. The relocation device 11 moves in relation to the second carrier 9 by the differential path Δs. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the differential path Δs can be between 1 cm and 50 cm, for example.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the compensation device 50 is arranged on the second coupling device 26. In the exemplary embodiment, the compensation device 50 is arranged between the coupling device 26 and the passenger receiver 2. Alternatively, an arrangement between the second coupling device 26 and the relocation device 11 or an arrangement between the passenger receiver 2 and the first coupling device 23 can alternatively be provided. The differential path Δs in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11 is in particular around 1 cm to around 10 cm.

In all exemplary embodiments, the coupling device 50 comprises a spring/damper system, for which a first spring 51 and a second spring 52 are shown as examples in the figures, which schematically represent the mobility of the compensation device 50. Any other type of compensation device 50 that allows relative movement by a differential path Δs can also be advantageous.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an exemplary embodiment for a coupling device 26. The coupling device 26 fixes the passenger receiver 2 to the relocation device 11 by gravity. The coupling device 26 has a holding part 56, which is to be connected to the passenger receiver 2 via a coupling plate 59. The coupling device 26 has a receiving part 54, which is to be connected to the relocation device 11 via a coupling plate 58. The holding part 56 is inserted into the receiving part 54. The receiving part 54 is designed in particular as a receiving pocket accessible from above. The receiving part 54 has centring sections 55, which are designed in particular as insertion chamfers. The holding part 56 has corresponding centring sections 57 interacting with the centring sections 55. This allows a predetermined position and a play-free fixing of the passenger receiver 2 on the relocation device 11 to be achieved. A gravity-acting coupling device can also be provided for the first coupling device 23. To do so, for example, an extension of the passenger receiver 2 can be inserted into a funnel-shaped receiver of the carrier 3.

FIGS. 14 to 18 schematically show a further design variant in which the two carriers 3 and 9 are guided on rail systems 7, 47. The same reference numerals denote corresponding features as in the previous figures. With regard to features that are not described in more detail below, reference is made to the description of the preceding exemplary embodiments.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first carrier 3 is guided on a rail system 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the first carrier 3 is suspended from the rail system 7. The first carrier 3 is driven along the rail system 7 by a movement device 4, for example a belt, cable or chain drive or similar. The second carrier 9 is guided on a rail system 47 and is driven along the rail system 47 by a movement device 8.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which the passenger receiver 2 is connected to the first carrier 3 via the coupling device 23. The first coupling device 23 is in its coupled state 33. The connecting device 29 is in its released state 36, and the second coupling device 26 is in its uncoupled state 34. The carriers 3 and 9 move in parallel to each other in movement directions 38 and 39. The rail systems 7 and 47 run in parallel to each other.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which the connecting device has been moved to the connected state 37. For example, to do so, a pin or similar can be inserted into a rail in a vertical or horizontal direction. The connecting device 29 couples the two carriers 3 and 9 only in the movement direction 38 or 39. In directions transverse to the movement directions 38 and 39, the carriers 3 and 9 are moveable in relation to each other. In the exemplary embodiment, the movement transverse to the movement direction 38 or 39 is determined by the course of the rail systems 7 and 47.

After the two carriers 3 and 9 have been coupled together in the movement direction 38 or 39, the second coupling device 26 is set to the coupled state 35, as is shown schematically in FIG. 16.

As FIG. 17 shows, the first carrier 3 then moves along the rail system 47 in a movement direction 38, which has a directional component 43 parallel to the movement direction 39 and a directional component 42 transverse to it, in particular perpendicular to the movement direction 39. In the exemplary embodiment, the first coupling device 23 is released by this relative movement and is placed in the decoupled state 32. To do so, the first coupling device 23 can be formed, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13. The connecting device 29 is still in its connected state 37, such that the carriers 3 and 9 move uniformly with one another in the movement direction 39 of the second carrier 9, which corresponds to the directional component 43 of the movement direction 38 of the first carrier 3.

In the state depicted in FIG. 18, the connecting device 29 is in its released state 36, and the carriers 3 and 9 move independently of each other. The passenger receiver 2 is connected to the second carrier 9 and has no connection to the first carrier 3.

Instead of the relative movement of the carriers 3 and 9 in a vertical direction depicted in FIGS. 14 to 18, a relative movement in a horizontal or any other direction running transversely to a movement direction 38, 39 of a carrier 3, 9 can also be provided. The relative movement of the carriers 3 and 9 to each other transversely to the movement direction 38, 39 of a carrier 3, 9 can also be achieved by other means, for example via slides, lifting or lowering devices or similar.

Further advantageous exemplary embodiments are the result of any combination of the features of the exemplary embodiments described.

Claims

1. An amusement ride, comprising: a passenger receiver (2);a first carrier (3);a first movement device (4) configured to move the first carrier (3);a second carrier (9);a second movement device (8) configured to move the second carrier (9);a first releasable coupling device (23) configured to releasably couple the first carrier (3) to the passenger receiver (2);a second releasable coupling device (26) configured to releasably couple the second carrier (9) to the passenger receiver (2); anda releasable connecting device (29) configured to connect the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) at least in a movement direction (38, 39) of one of the first carrier (3) or the second carrier (9) independently of a coupling via the first releasable coupling device (23) and the second releasable coupling device (26).

2. The amusement ride according to claim 1, wherein the releasable connecting device (29) is configured to prevent a relative movement of the first carrier (3) and second carrier (9) of more than 10 cm at least in the movement direction (38, 39) in a connected state of the releasable connecting device (29).

3. The amusement ride according to claim 1, wherein a connection of the first movement device (4) to the first carrier (3) is formed in such a way that the first carrier (3) can move at least in the movement direction (38, 39) with the second carrier (9) independently of a drive by the first movement device (4) at least in a connected state (37) of the releasable connecting device (29), orwherein a connection of the second movement device (8) to the second carrier (9) is formed such that the second carrier (9) can move at least in the movement direction (38, 39) with the first carrier (3) independently of a drive by the second movement device (8) at least in the connected state (37) of the releasable connecting device (29).

4. The amusement ride according to claim 1, further comprising a relocation device (11) which is designed to carry out a relative movement of the passenger receiver (2) with respect to the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) in a connected state of the releasable connecting device (29).

5. The amusement ride according to claim 4, wherein the relocation device (11) is configured to a translational and/or a rotational movement of the passenger receiver (2).

6. The amusement ride according to claim 5, wherein the relocation device (11) is a robot arm with at least six rotational movement axes (17 to 22).

7. The amusement ride according to claim 1, wherein the amusement ride is configured to carry out a relative movement of the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) in relation to each other with a directional component (42) transverse to the movement direction (38) of one of the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9), while the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) are coupled via the releasable connecting device (29) in the movement direction (38).

8. The amusement ride according to claim 7, wherein the relative movement of the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) with the directional component (42) transverse to the movement direction (38) causes a decoupling of one of the first releasable coupling device (23) or the second releasable coupling device (26).

9. The Amusement ride according to claim 1, wherein the first movement device (4) and/or the second movement device (8) comprises a rail system (7, 47).

10. The amusement ride according to claim 1, wherein the second movement device (8) enables a shifting of the second carrier (9) on the ground in all directions.

11. The amusement ride according to claim 1, wherein the second carrier (9) is fixedly mounted and configured to rotate.

12. The amusement ride according to claim 1, wherein the first releasable coupling device (23) and/or the second releasable coupling device (26) acts mechanically, magnetically, hydraulically and/or pneumatically.

13. A method for operating the amusement ride according to claim 1, comprising: coupling, in an initial state, the passenger receiver (2) to the first carrier (3) via the first releasable coupling device (23);connecting the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) via the releasable connecting device (29) at least in the movement direction (38, 39) of one of the first carrier (3) or the second carrier (9); andsubsequently coupling the passenger receiver (2) to the second carrier (9) via the second releasable coupling device (26) while maintaining the connection of the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) via the releasable connecting device (29).

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: releasing the first releasable coupling device (23) while maintaining the connection of the first carrier (3) and the second carrier (9) via the releasable connecting device (29).

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: releasing the releasable connecting device (29) after the passenger receiver (2) has been coupled to the second carrier (9) and the coupling of the first carrier (3) to the passenger receiver (2) has been released.

16. An amusement ride, comprising: a passenger receiver (2);a first carrier (3);a first movement device (4) configured to move the first carrier (3);a second carrier (9);a second movement device (8) configured to move the second carrier (9);a first releasable coupling device (23) configured to releasably couple the first carrier (3) to the passenger receiver (2);a second releasable coupling device (26) configured to releasably couple the second carrier (9) to the passenger receiver (2); anda compensating device (50),wherein the compensating device (50) enables a relative movement (As) of the first carrier (3) to the second carrier (9) in a coupled state (33) of the first releasable coupling device (23) and coupled state of the second releasable coupling device (26) at least in a movement direction (8, 39) of one of the first carrier (3) or the second carrier (9).

17. The amusement ride according to claim 16, wherein, in an event of a fault, the first carrier (3) travels a first maximum braking path (s1) to a standstill, and the second carrier (9) travels a second maximum braking path (s2) to a standstill, anda magnitude of the relative movement (Δs) corresponds at least to a difference (s1−s2) between paths travelled by the first carrier (3) and by the second carrier (9) in the event of the fault.

18. The amusement ride according to claim 16, wherein the compensating device (50) comprises at least one spring/damper element (51, 52), andwherein the at least one spring/damper element (51, 52) enables the relative movement (Δs).