Boat Drive Arrangement with Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outboard engines face damage risks in shallow water due to the need for manual adjustment and the inability to operate optimally without knowing water depth, especially for boats without adjustable hull sections.
Innovation Solution
A drive arrangement with an electric motor and a pivoting receiving device equipped with a switchable fixing device and overload protection, allowing automatic adjustment to prevent damage during collisions and maintain optimal operation in shallow water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drive motor is rigidly fixed in the operating position, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but the risk of damage in shallow water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving device allows the drive motor to pivot between operating and tilt positions dynamically. During normal operation, the motor is fixed in the operating position for optimal propulsion efficiency. When shallow water is detected or collision risk arises, the motor automatically pivots to the tilt position to avoid damage, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining fixed positioning for efficiency and enabling movement for safety.
2Reliability
If the skipper manually adjusts the engine position early to prevent damage, then motor protection is improved, but operational convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drive arrangement performs self-protection through automatic detection and response mechanisms. Sensors detect shallow water conditions or collision risks, and the control system automatically pivots the drive motor to the tilt position without requiring skipper intervention. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment while maintaining motor protection, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor water depth and drive motor position. When sensors detect shallow water conditions or abnormal forces indicating collision risk, the feedback loop triggers automatic adjustment of the drive motor position. This closed-loop control system provides continuous protection without requiring manual intervention from the skipper.
3Reliability
If the drive motor is pivoted to tilt position early for safety, then motor protection is improved, but propulsion efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the drive motor position based on real-time conditions rather than maintaining a fixed tilt position. During normal deep water operation, the motor remains in the operating position for optimal propulsion efficiency. Only when sensors detect shallow water or collision risk does the motor pivot to the tilt position for protection, thus avoiding unnecessary efficiency loss while maintaining protection when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a drive arrangement for propelling a boat, for example a kayak, having an electric drive motor with a shaft, a receiving device for receiving the shaft and a holder for holding the receiving device on the boat. In some embodiments, the receiving device is pivotable for pivoting the electric drive motor between an operating position and a tilt position relative to the holder. A switchable fixing device is provided for fixing the receiving device in the operating position. The fixing device has an overload protection for disconnecting the fixing in the operating position when a predetermined pivot force in the direction of the tilt position is exceeded.