Accessory Mounting Assembly for Dynamic Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current towing assemblies fail to provide a clear audio experience for the person being towed, hinder communication between the boat driver and the towed person, and lack effective lighting and positioning systems, especially at dusk or night, which can impact performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
An accessory mounting assembly that tracks the lateral movements of the towed person, allowing for the directional placement of speakers and lights, and includes a mechanism to electronically relay the position to a monitor, enabling clear audio and improved visibility, with the ability to independently or dependently direct accessories when the boat is docked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If speakers are fixed to the boat tower, then the audio system is simple to implement, but the towed person cannot hear clear music due to inability to track lateral movements
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly enables dynamic repositioning of speakers and lights along the tower structure. The panning and tilting mechanisms allow accessories to move laterally and vertically, tracking the towed person's position to maintain optimal audio and visual alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between audio clarity and system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for accessories, enables lateral and vertical movement tracking, provides electrical connectivity through connectors, and allows independent positioning of multiple accessories. This multi-functionality achieves clear audio tracking without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
2Reliability
If lights are fixed on the boat tower, then the lighting system is simple to install, but the towed person cannot be effectively highlighted at dusk or night due to lack of directional tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly enables dynamic repositioning of lights along the tower structure. The panning and tilting mechanisms allow lights to move laterally and vertically, tracking the towed person's position to maintain optimal illumination alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between visibility and system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides localized directional lighting that can be independently positioned to highlight the towed person's specific location. This localized quality enhancement resolves the contradiction by concentrating lighting effectiveness where needed rather than using fixed omnidirectional lighting.
3Ease of operation
If accessories are permanently fixed to the tower, then the structure is simple and stable, but accessories cannot be easily attached or detached
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate modular components: the mounting member attached to the tower, the docking member with electrical connectors, and the accessories. This segmentation allows accessories to be easily attached and detached while maintaining structural stability through the designed connection interfaces between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking member acts as an intermediary component between the mounting member and accessories. It provides the connection interface with electrical connectors, enabling easy attachment and detachment of accessories while maintaining stable electrical and mechanical connections during operation.
4Measurement precision
If the mounting assembly allows full movement freedom, then accessories can track position accurately, but the assembly becomes unstable and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly provides controlled dynamic movement capabilities with panning and tilting mechanisms that enable accurate position tracking while maintaining stability through structured motion paths and support structures. The system moves accessories to track the towed person's position accurately without compromising assembly stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for mounting an accessory to a support structure. The assembly can be configured to permit the accessory to pan, rotate or tilt. The assembly includes a mounting member attachable to the support structure and having a mounting member electrical connector. The assembly also includes a docking member releasably attached to the mounting member and having a docking member electrical connector communicably coupled to the mounting member electrical connector. The accessory is attached to the docking member.