Adjustable Watercraft Sponsons With Recessed Slot Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable sponson systems for watercraft, such as personal watercraft (PWCs), are time-consuming and limited in their ability to modify handling characteristics, necessitating an improved system for easier and more effective adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft with left and right sponsons that are movably connected to the hull, featuring actuatable anchors with guiding slots and recessed portions to facilitate quick and secure adjustment between raised and lowered positions, allowing for enhanced control over the watercraft's turning behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional adjustable sponson systems are used, then the handling characteristics of the watercraft can be modified, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sponson system is divided into modular components including the sponson body, actuatable anchor, guiding slot, and recessed portions. This segmentation allows for independent adjustment of each component, enabling quick reconfiguration without complex disassembly of the entire sponson assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponson system transitions from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic adjustable system. The actuatable anchor with movable handle between locked and unlocked positions enables the sponson to dynamically change position between raised and lowered states, allowing real-time handling characteristic modification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sponsons are made adjustable to improve handling characteristics, then the sportiness and maneuverability increase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuatable anchor incorporates a self-latching mechanism where the handle automatically locks into the recessed portions at either the raised or lowered position. This self-service feature eliminates the need for additional locking mechanisms or complex control systems, maintaining simplicity while providing adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex motorized or hydraulic system to move the sponson, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple manual handle that locks into position. The complexity is reduced by making the adjustment mechanism simpler than the traditional powered systems while achieving the same adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the sponson adjustment mechanism is simplified for easier operation, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of secure positioning may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding slot incorporates curved recessed portions that receive the handle. The curved geometry provides a positive mechanical lock that reliably secures the sponson in either the raised or lowered position. The shape of the recessed portions ensures the handle cannot accidentally disengage, maintaining reliability while keeping the operation simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft has left and right sponsons movable between raised and lowered positions. For each sponson, an actuatable anchor connects the sponson to a hull of the watercraft; and a guiding slot guides movement of the sponson. The actuatable anchor is received in the guiding slot. The sponson is in the raised position when the actuatable anchor is at a first location of the guiding slot, and in the lowered position when the actuatable anchor is at a second location of the guiding slot. The guiding slot has recessed portions at the first and second locations that are shaped and sized to prevent the actuatable anchor from moving relative to the guiding slot when a handle of the actuatable anchor is received therein and is in the locked position. The actuatable anchor is movable from the first and second locations when the handle is in the unlocked position.