Adjustable Positive Restraint Docking System for Watercraft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watercraft docking systems face challenges with relative motion due to environmental factors like tides and waves, leading to potential damage to both the watercraft and the dock, and require improvements for ease of use and reliability, especially for unmanned vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable positive restraint docking system with a latching assembly, including a latching head, linkage, rollers, and dampers, that allows for relative movement while securely attaching watercraft to docks, featuring a secondary locking component and sensors for secure alignment and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rope or chain attachment methods are used to moor watercraft to docks, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but the watercraft and dock are vulnerable to damage from relative motion caused by environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The docking system employs a dynamic latching mechanism with a latching head assembly that can pivot and adjust its position. The linkage assembly with toggle points transitions between open and locked states, allowing the system to adapt to relative motion between the watercraft and dock while maintaining secure attachment. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable mooring without requiring an overly complex rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching head assembly acts as an intermediary component between the dock and the watercraft's secondary locking component. It provides a controlled interface that manages the connection and separation processes, absorbing environmental motions through its pivoting capability while maintaining reliable attachment. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable mooring without directly transmitting damaging forces between the dock and watercraft.
2Reliability
If rigid attachment methods are used to securely fasten watercraft to docks, then attachment reliability improves, but the system cannot accommodate relative motion from tides, waves, and wind without causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The latching head assembly is designed to pivot and move dynamically in response to environmental forces. The linkage assembly allows controlled motion through its toggle mechanism, enabling the system to maintain secure attachment while accommodating relative motion between the dock and watercraft caused by tides, waves, and wind.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dampers that provide cushioning against sudden movements and impacts before they can cause damage. The linkage assembly's toggle mechanism also provides a form of mechanical cushioning by allowing controlled displacement during the locking and unlocking processes, protecting both the dock and watercraft from damaging forces.
3Ease of operation
If manual attachment and detachment processes are used, then the system is simple in design, but ease of use and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through its linkage assembly and toggle points. When the watercraft approaches the dock, the secondary locking component automatically engages with the latching head assembly, and the linkage mechanism automatically transitions to the locked state without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability improves ease of operation while the modular design keeps complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical linkage system. The toggle points and linkage assembly work together to automatically lock and unlock the mooring connection, eliminating the need for manual attachment and detachment processes. This substitution improves operational efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the docking system allows for relative movement to absorb environmental motion, then protection from damage improves, but attachment reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latching head assembly pivots and the linkage assembly transitions through controlled motion to maintain secure attachment while accommodating relative movement. The dampers provide controlled damping during motion, ensuring that the attachment remains reliable even as the system absorbs environmental motion between the dock and watercraft.
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 system effectively absorbs environmental motion, ensuring secure and reliable attachment of watercraft to docks, protecting both the vessel and the dock from damage, and can be adapted for use with unmanned vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
one or more dampers can also be provided about one or more anterior sides of the latching head assembly, wherein at least one of the one or more dampers can be configured to allow pivoting of the latching head in a horizontal plane, or alternatively the dampers can allow for a dampened pitching motion in a vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
Contemplated herein is an adjustable positive restraint docking system, the system having a latching assembly, the latching assembly being configured to be affixed to a docking point on a dock so as to act as a mooring point for a watercraft to said docking point. The latching assembly can also include a latching head assembly, the latching head assembly wherein in the embodiments shown the latching head assembly can also be provided with a receiving channel having an open portion being configured to receive a secondary locking component provided about the watercraft. A linkage assembly can be provided which within or about the channel, which can selectively block or open the open portion of the receiving channel. In some embodiments, the linkage assembly can be configured to pass through a toggle point between an open state and a locked state.