Adjustable Bunks for Drive-On Watercraft Lifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many drive-on watercraft lifts lack adjustable or replaceable rollers or bunks, limiting their ability to accommodate watercraft of different sizes and shapes, leading to inefficient use and reduced lifespan due to wear.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates removable bunks with frictional and fastener-based securing mechanisms, allowing for adjustable positioning and replacement, enabling the lift to accommodate various watercraft sizes and shapes, and featuring a ramp portion for softer watercraft contact, extending the lift's useful life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed rollers or bunks are used on the watercraft lift, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the lift cannot accommodate watercraft of different sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The bunk is divided into separate modular components: the bunk body, side flanges, and discrete sections that can be independently assembled and removed. This segmentation allows the bunk to be easily replaced or reconfigured to accommodate different watercraft sizes while keeping the overall lift structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The bunk is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The removable design allows the bunk position and configuration to be changed based on the specific watercraft being serviced, providing adaptability without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism throughout the entire lift structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-pivotal rollers or bunks are used, then the structure is simpler and more stable, but the rollers or bunks cannot be adjusted or altered to accept watercraft of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The bunk is pre-configured with side flanges and fastening features that enable quick installation and removal. The fastening holes are pre-positioned to align with the lift structure, allowing for rapid bunk replacement without requiring complex adjustment procedures or compromising securing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bunk is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily swapped out when worn or when different watercraft configurations are needed. This approach prioritizes reliability of the securing mechanism while accepting that the bunk itself is a consumable part that may need replacement rather than a permanent fixed component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bunk is made wide to fit different watercraft, then adaptability improves, but the bunk becomes difficult to secure firmly in the slot
Solution Approach 1:
The side flanges are divided into discrete sections rather than being continuous, allowing the bunk to maintain a wide overall width for adaptability while having localized attachment points that provide firm securing. The segmented flanges can be positioned to optimize both width coverage and fastening strength at critical locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for flexible accommodation of different watercraft sizes and shapes, reduces wear on the lift by distributing impact through the ramp surface, and extends the lifespan of the lift by enabling easy replacement of worn bunks.
Implementation Method 1
The side flange can be comprised of discrete sections, such that the flange is not continuous. The overall width of the bunk, including the width of the bunk body and the bunk flange(s) is sized such that the bunk is frictionally received in the bunk receiving slot of the watercraft lift.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive-on watercraft (10) has removable/replaceable bunks (50, 80). The bunks are configured to define two rails (64,66; 94a,b). In one embodiment, one rail (64) is higher than the other rail (66). This bunk with rails of different heights can be positioned on the body of the lift with either rail facing inwardly, such that the lift can be configured to receive watercraft of different sizes. In a second embodiment, the bunk (80) has a ramp (84) positioned to extend rearwardly from the back of the lift body when the bunk is mounted to the lift body. The bunk ramp (84) provides a sacrificial point of first contact for of a watercraft with the lift and provides for a softer ride for the watercraft onto the lift.