Boat Coupling with Remote Cable Actuation and Spring-Loaded Pin
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat coupling systems are either complex and costly or poorly designed, often requiring precise alignment and manual operation, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of failure during boat launch and retrieval, especially when operating in rough conditions or requiring multiple personnel.
Innovation Solution
A boat coupling system featuring a jaw with a movable pin that can be extended and retracted, guided by inclined surfaces, and operated remotely through a drive member and actuator, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement without the need for direct manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional manual coupling system is used, then the operator can directly control the coupling mechanism, but the operator must enter the water to connect or disconnect the coupling, which is inconvenient and leaves the operator wet
Solution Approach 1:
A cable mechanism serves as an intermediary between the operator and the coupling jaws. The operator pulls or releases the cable from a safe position on the trailer, and this mechanical action is transmitted through the cable to actuate the jaws and pin, enabling remote operation without direct contact with water
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system incorporates spring-loaded mechanisms that automatically return the pin and jaws to their initial positions after engagement or disengagement. The springs provide self-service by resetting the mechanism without requiring manual intervention, reducing the need for complex control systems
2Reliability
If an automatic latch arrangement with small point of entry is used, then the eye can be captured securely, but the boat operator is required to very precisely manoeuvre the boat to align the eye for passage past the strikers
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling jaws and pin are designed to be movable rather than fixed. The jaws can open and close to accommodate the eye, and the pin can move horizontally to allow passage. This dynamic design provides tolerance for misalignment while maintaining secure capture, eliminating the need for precise boat maneuvering
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional components: movable jaws for initial engagement and a movable pin for final securing. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, providing multiple degrees of freedom that accommodate alignment variations during boat launch and retrieval
3Extent of automation
If exposed springs are used in the latch arrangement, then the mechanism can provide automatic return function, but the exposed springs can be dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The springs are nested within the housing structure, with the housing acting as a protective enclosure. The spring mechanisms are contained inside the coupling assembly, visible only through openings that allow functional movement but prevent direct contact. This nesting eliminates the safety hazard of exposed springs while preserving the automatic return function
4Reliability
If a complex fabricated construction is used, then the coupling can provide robust functionality, but the construction is labour intensive to manufacture and not conducive to mass production
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into single integrated parts. The housing incorporates mounting features, guidance surfaces, and protective structures in one piece. The jaws and pin are designed as integrated assemblies that can be manufactured as single components or pre-assembled units, reducing the number of separate fabrication operations required and enabling more efficient mass production
Data Source
AI summary
A boat coupling including a jaw for receiving an eye which is attached to the hull of a boat. A pin is movable to bridge across the jaw to capture the eye between extended and retracted positions. A retaining arrangement for retaining the pin in the retracted position will release the pin upon the pin being shifted to a release position, where after the pin is moveable under a biasing influence to shift to the extended position