Motorized Beach Lifesaving Device with Winch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifesaving devices are inadequate for aquatic rescues on beaches, rivers, and swamps, as they are often heavy, difficult to handle, and not suitable for non-professional rescuers, leading to risks for both the rescuer and the victim, especially in strong undertow conditions or when professional lifeguards are not present.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a buoyancy element linked to the mainland by a long, strong rope, powered by a motor or hand winch, with a lifejacket and snap hook, designed for easy use by anyone, ensuring safe retrieval of both the rescuer and victim from the water, even in strong currents, and capable of alerting authorities and providing necessary assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rescuer uses a small hand floater to reach a drowning person, then the rescuer can easily reach the victim, but the rescuer is not strong enough to pull the victim out in strong undertow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the rescue function into two independent parts: a buoyancy element for reaching the victim and a rope system with winch for pulling the victim out. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, resolving the contradiction between ease of reaching and pulling strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces a rope as an intermediary element between the rescuer and the victim. The rope transmits the pulling force from the winch to the victim, allowing the rescuer to leverage mechanical advantage and overcome the undertow current without directly engaging in a strength contest with the water current.
2Reliability
If a rescuer enters the water to help a drowning person, then direct assistance can be provided, but both the rescuer and victim may drown in strong undertow
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a rope and buoyancy element as intermediaries to transfer the rescuer's pulling force to the victim without requiring the rescuer to physically hold or support the victim in the water. This eliminates the direct physical contact that exposes the rescuer to the harmful undertow forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyancy element provides an upward buoyant force that counteracts the downward pull of gravity and the horizontal pull of the undertow current on the victim. This counterforce system allows the rescuer to pull the victim out without having to overcome the full force of the current directly.
3Reliability
If professional lifeguards are present during July and August, then rescues can be performed, but no lifeguards are present during the rest of the year
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be simple enough for any citizen to operate independently without requiring professional training or presence. The automatic winch mechanism and clear operational procedures enable ordinary people to perform rescues during the winter months when professional lifeguards are not present, making the system self-sufficient year-round.
4Strength
If a heavy rescue floater with rope is used, then buoyancy is provided, but the device is difficult to handle and its use has been ruled out on beaches
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the buoyancy function (floating element) from the handling function (rope and winch system). The buoyancy element can be easily deployed by itself, and the rope system is managed independently through the winch mechanism, eliminating the handling difficulties of integrated heavy rescue floaters.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces the manual handling of heavy ropes and floaters with an automated winch mechanism powered by a motor. This substitution eliminates the physical effort required to handle the rope and buoyancy element, making the device easy to operate despite its substantial pulling capacity.
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
Enables quick, effective, and safe aquatic rescues by allowing anyone to assist in emergencies, reducing the risk of drowning for both the rescuer and the victim, and ensuring timely intervention, even in the absence of professional lifeguards.
Implementation Method 1
a motor, preferably electric, is fixed on a bench and connected to the mains or to a battery... This motor drives the rotation of a shaft on which is mounted a reel winding a rope
Implementation Method 2
a lifesaving device... allowing an intervening qualified or not qualified person to come to rescue with the tranquillity of being insured by a buoyancy element
Data Source
AI summary
This device comprises an iron casing closed with a glass door to be broken in the case of an emergency, within which is located, above a bench a motor that drives a shaft in rotation, on which is mounted a reel winding a rope attached to a life jacket that fits on the rescuer body, provided with a whistle. The end of the reel shaft bearings rests on a supporting tripod at the end of the bench and, on the outer side, has a coupling in order to mount a crank for winding by hand in the case of engine failure. A pole is anchored along the beach, the end thereof having a snap hook of the quick opening type, through which the rescuer passes the rope before entering the water.