An automatic sail reefing device for a sailboat

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of marine equipment technology and discloses an automatic sail retraction device for sailboats, including a sail installed on the hull, a retraction mechanism, and a guide mechanism. The retraction mechanism includes a sail winder for winding the sail and a winch for pulling the sail via a connecting rope. The core of the device is the guide mechanism, which includes a connecting block fixed to a support plate and a guide rod movably inserted within the connecting block. A compression block and an elastic gasket are provided within the receiving cavity of the connecting block, with the compression block abutting against the guide rod. When the sail impacts the guide rod during retraction or extension, the impact force compresses the elastic gasket through the compression block, and the deformation of the elastic gasket absorbs the energy, achieving flexible buffering. This utility model, through this built-in elastic buffer guide structure, solves the problems of existing rigid guides that easily lead to sail wear and unstable movement, achieving stable guidance, sail protection, extended service life, and improved automation level and navigation safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of marine equipment technology, and in particular to an automatic sail retraction device for sailboats. Background Technology

[0002] Sailing relies heavily on precise control of the sails, adjusting their spread and angle to effectively utilize wind energy. Traditionally, raising and lowering sails was primarily done manually, which was not only physically demanding but also increased in difficulty and risk during rough seas or sudden weather changes.

[0003] To improve operational convenience and safety, automated sail raising and lowering devices have emerged. These devices typically employ motor-driven sail winders or winches, using ropes to pull and wind up the sail, thus automating the raising and lowering of the sail. During the automated raising and lowering process, to ensure the sail enters the winder smoothly and orderly, guiding mechanisms, such as guide rods or tracks, are usually installed to constrain the sail's movement path.

[0004] However, existing automated scaling devices generally suffer from a structural flaw in the guiding stage. Because sails vibrate and slap irregularly under wind force, the sail experiences intense impact and friction with the guiding mechanism during rapid traction. Conventional guiding mechanisms are mostly rigid structures, unable to effectively absorb this impact energy. This "hard-on-hard" contact leads to severe wear on the sail surface, shortening its lifespan; furthermore, the intense impact and friction cause instability in the scaling process, generating abnormal noises and vibrations, increasing the risk of automation mechanism failure, and failing to fundamentally solve the problem of flexible sail protection during automation.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model proposes an automatic sail retraction device for sailboats to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0006] To overcome the above shortcomings, this utility model provides an automatic sail retraction device for sailboats, aiming to improve the existing technology where the guide mechanism of the automatic sail retraction device for sailboats is mostly a rigid structure, which is prone to hard impact and friction with the canvas during the sail raising and lowering process, resulting in serious sail wear and unstable retraction process.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat includes a hull, a sail, a retraction mechanism, and a guide mechanism mounted on the hull; the retraction mechanism includes a sail retractor for retracting or extending the sail and a winch for pulling the sail by retracting or extending a connecting rope.

[0008] The device also includes a guiding mechanism, which consists of a guide rod, a pressing block, and an elastic gasket.

[0009] The guide rod is used to guide the scaling and retraction of the sail; and the compression block and the elastic pad are configured to cooperate and act together on the guide rod. By allowing the guide rod to displace when it is under force and absorbing the impact energy by the elastic deformation of the elastic pad, a flexible buffer is achieved for the sail.

[0010] Preferably, the guiding mechanism further includes a support plate and a connecting block; the support plate is fixed to the hull, and the connecting block is fixed to the support plate; the guide rod is movably inserted into the connecting block, while the elastic gasket and the compression block are housed in the connecting block and located on one side of the guide rod. When the guide rod is subjected to force, the compression block compresses the elastic gasket to achieve buffering.

[0011] Furthermore, the guiding mechanism also includes a connecting rod, and the connecting block is fixedly connected to the support plate through the connecting rod.

[0012] Preferably, the scaling mechanism further includes a connecting frame and a connecting ring; the connecting frame is fixed to the sail, and the connecting rope is connected to the connecting frame through the connecting ring.

[0013] Furthermore, the scaling mechanism also includes a locking disc, a transmission rod, and a rotating rod disposed on the connecting frame; the rotating rod is rotatably connected to the connecting frame and is used to drive the transmission rod connected to the locking disc to move, and the movement of the transmission rod can drive the locking disc to move so as to lock the connecting ring into or release it from the connecting frame.

[0014] This utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. In this utility model, by setting a guide mechanism including a guide rod, a compression block and an elastic pad and having a buffering function, the problem of sails being easily worn and having unstable movement due to collision and friction with rigid guide parts during automatic raising and lowering in the prior art is solved. The technical effect of providing flexible buffering and stable guidance for the sail and significantly extending the service life of the sail is achieved. 2. In this utility model, by organically combining the power-providing scaling mechanism with the flexible guiding mechanism, the problems of manual operation, low efficiency, and unsafe operation in wind and waves in the prior art are solved. The technical effect of automatically, smoothly and reliably raising and lowering the sail is achieved, which greatly simplifies the operation, reduces labor intensity and improves navigation safety. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1This is a perspective view of an automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the scaling mechanism of an automatic sail scaling device for sailboats proposed in this utility model; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sail retractor of an automatic sail retractor for a sailboat according to the present invention; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0016] Legend: 1. Hull; 2. Sail; 3. Scaling mechanism; 301. Sail winder; 302. Winch; 303. Connecting rope; 304. Connecting ring; 305. Connecting frame; 306. Transmission rod; 307. Clamping disc; 308. Rotating rod; 4. Guide mechanism; 401. Support plate; 402. Connecting rod; 403. Connecting block; 404. Pressing block; 405. Guide rod; 406. Elastic gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0018] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 This utility model provides an automatic sail scaling device for sailboats, which aims to solve the problem in the prior art that the sails are severely worn and the movement is unstable due to the rigid guide structure during the automatic scaling process.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat includes a hull 1, a sail 2, a retraction mechanism 3, and a guide mechanism 4 installed on the hull 1. The retraction mechanism 3 includes a sail retractor 301, a winch 302, and a connecting rope 303. The sail retractor 301 is used to retract or extend the sail 2, and the winch 302 is used to pull the sail 2 by retracting or extending the connecting rope 303.

[0020] As the core innovation of this utility model, the guiding mechanism 4 includes a guide rod 405, a pressing block 404, and an elastic pad 406. The guide rod 405 is used to guide the movement trajectory of the sail 2 when it is expanded or contracted. The pressing block 404 and the elastic pad 406 are configured to cooperate and act together on the guide rod 405. When the guide rod 405 is subjected to an impact force from the sail 2, the impact force will be transmitted to the elastic pad 406 through the pressing block 404, and the elastic deformation of the elastic pad 406 will absorb the impact energy, thereby achieving flexible buffering of the sail 2.

[0021] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the core of the technical solution of this embodiment is that the automatic sail scaling device for sailboats also includes a guide mechanism (4), and a specific structural cooperation and motion guidance relationship is formed between the guide mechanism (4) and the sail (2) driven by the scaling mechanism (3), thereby realizing stable guidance and flexible buffering of the sail (2) during the scaling process. This solution is described in detail and expressed logically clearly, avoiding the problem of insufficient disclosure in the subsequent review process.

[0022] Please refer to the following carefully. Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The core structure will be described in detail below: The guiding mechanism (4) has a support plate (401), a connecting rod (402), a connecting block (403), a pressing block (404), a guide rod (405), and an elastic pad (406). The guiding mechanism (4) is installed on the hull (1). The support plate (401) provides the mounting base for the entire guiding mechanism (4). The connecting block (403) is fixedly connected to the support plate (401) through the connecting rod (402). Its function is to provide precise guidance and limit for the sail (2) when it is scaling and moving, and to absorb impact energy.

[0023] Specifically, the connecting block (403) has a through hole inside, and the guide rod (405) is movably inserted through the through hole to directly contact the edge of the sail (2) and guide its movement. At the same time, the connecting block (403) also has a receiving cavity on one side of the guide rod (405). The pressing block (404) and the elastic gasket (406) are housed in the receiving cavity. The pressing block (404) abuts against the outer wall of the guide rod (405), while the elastic gasket (406) abuts against the side of the pressing block (404) away from the guide rod (405).

[0024] In the assembled state, when the scaling mechanism (3) drives the sail (2) to move, the edge of the sail (2) slides in contact with the outer periphery of the guide rod (405). When the sail (2) shakes due to external factors such as wind and impacts the guide rod (405), the impact force is transmitted to the compression block (404) through the guide rod (405). The compression block (404) then compresses the elastic pad (406). The elastic pad (406) undergoes elastic deformation to absorb the impact energy, thereby allowing the guide rod (405) to make a small displacement in the through hole of the connecting block (403) to achieve flexible buffering. This built-in elastic buffering guide structure ensures the stability and accuracy of the sail (2) in the process of automated high-speed scaling, significantly reduces the wear between the sail (2) and the guide components, and effectively extends the service life of the sail (2).

[0025] For the power source used to drive the sail (301) and winch (302) in the scaling mechanism (3), those skilled in the art can use a variety of conventional methods such as motors. The specific internal structure is a well-known technology in the field and will not be described in detail here.

[0026] Based on the above embodiments, the present invention may further include the following preferred technical solutions: As a preferred implementation method, to achieve stable guidance and cushioning of the sail (2), please refer to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The guiding mechanism (4) further includes a support plate (401) and a connecting block (403). The support plate (401) is fixed on the hull (1), and the connecting block (403) is fixed on the support plate (401). The guide rod (405) is movably inserted into the connecting block (403). The elastic pad (406) and the compression block (404) are housed in the connecting block (403) and located on one side of the guide rod (405). When the guide rod (405) is subjected to force, the elastic pad (406) is compressed by the compression block (404) to achieve buffering. As a further preferred embodiment, the guiding mechanism (4) further includes a connecting rod (402). The connecting block (403) is fixedly connected to the support plate (401) through the connecting rod (402).

[0027] As another preferred embodiment, to achieve a reliable connection between the connecting rope (303) and the sail (2), please refer to... Figure 3 The scaling mechanism (3) further includes a connecting frame (305) and a connecting ring (304). The connecting frame (305) is fixed to the sail (2), and the connecting rope (303) is connected to the connecting frame (305) through the connecting ring (304).

[0028] As a further limitation of the above connection structure, in order to achieve quick locking, the scaling mechanism (3) also includes a locking disc (307), a transmission rod (306) and a rotating rod (308) disposed on the connecting frame (305). The rotating rod (308) is rotatably connected to the connecting frame (305) and is used to drive the transmission rod (306) to move. The transmission rod (306) is connected to the locking disc (307). The movement of the transmission rod (306) drives the locking disc (307) to move, so as to lock the connecting ring (304) inside the connecting frame (305) or release it from the inside of the connecting frame (305).

[0029] Working principle: When it is necessary to furl the sail (2), the sail retractor (301) and winch (302) in the scaling mechanism (3) are activated. The sail retractor (301) begins to wind the canvas of the sail (2), while the winch (302) rotates to tighten the connecting rope (303). The connecting rope (303) pulls the sail (2) towards the sail retractor (301) through the connecting ring (304) and the connecting frame (305). During this process, the edge of the sail (2) maintains sliding contact with the guide rod (405) of the guide mechanism (4). Due to the presence of the guide rod (405), the movement trajectory of the sail (2) is controlled. Strictly confined to a preset path, when the sail (2) sways due to wind or rapid movement and generates a lateral impact force on the guide rod (405), the force is transmitted to the compression block (404) through the guide rod (405), thereby compressing the elastic pad (406) set inside the connecting block (403). The elastic deformation of the elastic pad (406) absorbs the impact energy, thereby achieving flexible buffering of the sail (2). Through this built-in buffering synergy of the guide mechanism (4), this utility model effectively solves the problems of sail wear and unstable movement caused by rigid guidance in the prior art.

[0030] While the sail is being furled, the rotating rod (308) in the scaling mechanism (3) rotates under the drive of external force, which drives the transmission rod (306) to move. The transmission rod (306) then drives the locking disc (307) to move, which securely locks the connecting ring (304) inside the connecting frame (305), ensuring the stability and reliability of the traction connection throughout the entire sail furling process. When the sail needs to be unfolded, the operation can be reversed.

Claims

1. An automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat, comprising a hull (1), and a sail (2), a retraction mechanism (3), and a guide mechanism (4) mounted on the hull (1); the retraction mechanism (3) comprises a sail retractor (301), a winch (302), and a connecting rope (303); the sail retractor (301) is used to retract or extend the sail (2), and the winch (302) is used to pull the sail (2) by retracting or extending the connecting rope (303); Its features are, The guiding mechanism (4) includes a guide rod (405), a pressing block (404), and an elastic pad (406). The guide rod (405) is used to guide the scaling and retraction movement of the sail (2). The pressing block (404) is configured to cooperate with the elastic pad (406) and act on the guide rod (405) so that when the guide rod (405) is subjected to force, the elastic deformation of the elastic pad (406) can achieve buffering.

2. The automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guiding mechanism (4) further includes a support plate (401) and a connecting block (403); the support plate (401) is fixed on the hull (1), and the connecting block (403) is fixed on the support plate (401); the guide rod (405) is movably inserted into the connecting block (403), and the elastic gasket (406) and the compression block (404) are housed in the connecting block (403) and located on one side of the guide rod (405).

3. The automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide mechanism (4) further includes a connecting rod (402), and the connecting block (403) is fixedly connected to the support plate (401) through the connecting rod (402).

4. The automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scaling mechanism (3) further includes a connecting frame (305) and a connecting ring (304); the connecting frame (305) is fixed to the sail (2), and the connecting rope (303) is connected to the connecting frame (305) through the connecting ring (304).

5. The automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to claim 4, characterized in that: The scaling mechanism (3) also includes a locking disc (307), a transmission rod (306), and a rotating rod (308) disposed on the connecting frame (305).

6. The automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rotating rod (308) is rotatably connected to the connecting frame (305) and is used to drive the transmission rod (306) to move. The transmission rod (306) is connected to the locking disc (307).

7. The automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to claim 6, characterized in that: The movement of the transmission rod (306) drives the engagement disc (307) to move, so as to engage the connecting ring (304) inside or release it from the connecting frame (305).

8. The automatic sail retraction device for a sailboat according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the guide rod (405) is subjected to force, the elastic pad (406) is compressed by the compression block (404) to achieve buffering.

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