Foldable Boat Ladder Alarm for Engine Startup Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Boat ladders near the engine pose a risk of accidents when boat operators unknowingly start the engine while swimmers are using the ladder to reboard, as they are often placed near the propeller.
Innovation Solution
A boat ladder alarm system with brackets and sensors that trigger an alarm or prevent engine startup when the ladder is unfolded, ensuring the ladder is stowed before engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foldable boat ladder is placed near the boat engine to assist riders in reboarding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to the risk of propeller injuries when the engine is started with the ladder deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm system performs preliminary detection of the ladder's deployed state before engine startup is attempted. The sensor detects when the ladder is in the deployed position and triggers an alarm or prevents engine startup, allowing the operator to retract the ladder before starting the engine, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the operator about the ladder's state through an alarm signal. When the sensor detects the ladder is deployed, the alarm warns the operator not to start the engine, creating a feedback loop that prevents the harmful effect of propeller injury while preserving the convenience of having the ladder nearby
2Reliability
If the alarm system continuously monitors the ladder position, then the reliability is improved, but the use of energy worsens due to continuous sensor operation and alarm system power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic or event-triggered detection. The sensor monitors the ladder position and only activates the alarm when a change in state is detected (when the ladder transitions from stowed to deployed or vice versa), reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability through timely detection of critical states
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
Prevents accidents by alerting operators when the ladder is deployed, thereby preventing engine startup until it is safely stowed, reducing the risk of propeller injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet configured for attachment to the movable rail and engagement with the sensor when the foldable boat ladder is stowed
Data Source
AI summary
A boat ladder alarm system for a foldable boat ladder having a base rail and a movable rail is disclosed. In one embodiment, the boat ladder alarm system includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a sensor system. The sensor system is configured to trigger an alarm when the first bracket and the second bracket are unconnected and to turn off the alarm when the first bracket and the second bracket are connected. In this manner, if the foldable boat ladder is unfolded and someone is trying to climb on the boat, the alarm is triggered to warn the boat operator that it is not safe to turn on the boat engine.