Hull-Nested Adjustable Watercraft Tower Assembly for Stable Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bolt-on telescoping towers for boats are bulky, disrupt the aesthetic lines of the boat's design, and negatively affect the watercraft's center of gravity and handling.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft with a hull, a roof, a support that moves between two positions in response to an actuation assembly, and a brace assembly that provides adjustable support within the hull, allowing the tower assembly to retract within the hull and maintain a smaller profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional bolt-on telescoping tower is used, then the tower can be extended for watersports activities, but the outer static structure must be significantly larger than the tower support itself, disrupting aesthetic lines
Solution Approach 1:
The tower support is nested within the hull structure, with the actuation assembly positioned inside the hull and the support extending through an aperture in the top edge surface. This nesting approach allows the tower mechanism to be contained within the hull's volume rather than requiring a large external housing, thereby maintaining aesthetic lines while providing the necessary extension capability for watersports activities
2Length of moving object
If a conventional bolt-on tower is used, then the tower can provide elevated support for watersports equipment, but all weight is positioned about the top edge of the hull, raising the center of gravity and affecting handling
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure extends into the hull volume along the vertical dimension rather than being mounted only at the top edge. The actuation assembly is positioned within the hull, and the support extends upward through an aperture, distributing weight both vertically within the hull and at the extended position, thereby lowering the center of gravity compared to conventional top-edge mounting while maintaining the necessary elevation for watersports equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft comprising a hull, a roof, a support including a first end coupled to the roof and a second end positioned within the hull, and an actuation assembly coupled to the support. The support is moveable between a first position and a second position in response to activation of the actuation assembly. The support extends into the hull a first distance in the first position and a second distance in the second position. The second distance is larger than the first distance.