How Do Bumper Cars Work?

Posted by Hoyt Corporation on November 22nd, 2019

If you've been at an amusement park, then you've probably tried to ride the bumper cars. These vehicles provide some of the most fun experiences you can ever have at an affordable price. But, have you ever wondered how they work?

Unlike cars that run on the streets, these don't consume gas. They’re electric-powered. The functionality of these rides is divided into three main design areas: the ceiling, the flooring, and the units themselves. To learn about them, continue reading this article.

Conductive Floor and Ceiling With Reverse Polarity

This is the classic and most common system. It originated in the 1920s when the Stoehrer brothers patented bumper cars. It uses conductive floors and ceilings with contacts that have different polarities to provide electricity to the vehicles. Then, a hot rod attached at the back serves as a conductive wire to complete the electrical system. That’s where the current passes through to the motors.

When switched on, the electricity flows through the ceiling and the floor. Then, it goes to the wires to drive the motors of the car.

Floor Electrical System

Some models no longer have hot rods. All they need is a special floor to power their motors. They use a method that requires alternating strips of electrical contacts with different polarities across the floor. This design doesn't need a ceiling grid because the system installed on the ground will supply the electricity.

The unit used in this system has lines of metal brushes underneath it, which serve as electrical contacts so the current from the strips goes to the automobile's motors. Whenever the machine covers two areas of the floor with different polarities, a whole electrical circuit is completed. That's why the vehicle works continuously. 

Battery-Operated System

Lastly, some of the latest bumper buggies run by battery power. This design avoids the need for a conductive floor or ceiling so the area that used for an arena can be a multipurpose space. The only problem with this design is that the batteries need to be recharged for a long time before the vehicles can be driven again.

These are the different systems used to power up bumper cars. If you’re interested in building something like one of these, you can search for copper extrusion suppliers within your area. With their help, you'll have the materials that you need.