Air Intake Port Positioning for Water Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small watercrafts face the issue of water splashing onto air intake ports, which can enter the inboard section through these ports, potentially causing engine room flooding.
Innovation Solution
The air intake ports are positioned on the inner side of the radar arm and configured to open towards the bow side, with a guide groove directing air to the ports, and a transom gate with an extension portion that rotates and extends rearward to prevent water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air intake ports are positioned on the outer side of the radar arm, then air intake efficiency is improved, but water splashing onto the ports increases causing water ingress into the inboard section
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake port is repositioned from a conventional outer location to an inner side location relative to the radar arm, utilizing the three-dimensional space between the radar arm and the watercraft hull. This dimensional repositioning allows the port to be protected from direct water splashing while maintaining functional air intake capability through the guide groove design.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide groove is introduced as an intermediary structure that directs air flow from the outer environment through the air intake port located on the inner side. The guide groove acts as a mediator to ensure efficient air intake while the port's protected position prevents water ingress, resolving the contradiction between air intake efficiency and water protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air intake ports are positioned on the inner side of the radar arm, then water ingress is prevented, but air intake efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove serves as an intermediary structure that compensates for the reduced air intake efficiency potential by providing a dedicated air flow path. It directs air from the outer environment through the protected inner-side port, ensuring sufficient air supply while maintaining water ingress prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove creates a localized high-velocity air flow path that concentrates air intake efficiency in the specific region of the air intake port. This local quality enhancement ensures that despite the port's protected position, air intake remains efficient through the optimized flow path created by the guide groove.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the air intake port opens toward the bow side, then water splashing from the bow is prevented, but air intake from the bow direction may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove acts as an intermediary that redirects air flow from the bow direction around the radar arm to reach the air intake port. This allows the port to open toward the bow side for water protection while the guide groove ensures adequate air intake by providing an alternative flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove creates a three-dimensional air flow path that allows air to approach the port from multiple directions rather than directly from the bow. This dimensional flow path enables the port to be oriented for water protection while maintaining effective air intake through the groove's flow directing capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to provide a technique related to a small watercraft that can prevent water from entering an inboard section through air intake ports. A small watercraft for leisure use (1) is configured to obtain thrust by driving a propeller with an engine (23) serving as a power source and includes an air intake port (1f) configured to introduce air into an engine room (1d) in an inboard section from the outside, and a radar arm (1e) configured to support a radar. The air intake port (1f) is positioned on the inner side with respect to the radar arm (1e).