Self-Propelled Boat Launching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moving a beached boat into the water is a difficult task, especially for one person, as boats are heavy and often require outside mechanical assistance for launching.
Innovation Solution
A self-sufficient vehicle shove-off device is mounted directly to the boat, featuring an extendable and retractable rod with a flexible contact pad, powered by a control system for remote operation, eliminating the need for external mechanical assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If outside mechanical assistance and pull vehicles are used to launch a boat, then the boat can be moved from ground to water, but the device complexity and requirement for external equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The boat is equipped with its own shove-off device that includes a rod, contact pad, and power source mounted directly on the boat body. This self-contained system allows the boat to launch itself without requiring external mechanical assistance or pull vehicles, thereby simplifying the overall launching system while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The launching function is extracted from external equipment and integrated directly into the boat structure. The rod and contact pad assembly is mounted on the boat body, removing the dependency on external mechanical assistance and reducing the complexity of the launching system
2Ease of operation
If multiple people are used to move a beached boat into water, then the boat can be launched, but the physical effort and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The boat is equipped with its own shove-off device that includes a rod, contact pad, and power source mounted directly on the boat body. This self-contained system allows the boat to launch itself without requiring external mechanical assistance or pull vehicles, thereby simplifying the overall launching system while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical effort of multiple people pushing the boat is replaced by an automated mechanical system consisting of a motor-driven rod that applies force through a contact pad. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple operators while achieving the same launching function
3Ease of operation
If an extendable rod with contact pad is used to press against ground, then the boat can be propelled into water with minimal effort, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a force transmission mechanism, and a positioning device for the contact pad. The contact pad itself serves both as a force application surface and as a ground engagement element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rod, contact pad, and power source are merged into a single integrated shove-off device assembly that is mounted on the boat body. This consolidation of components into one unified system minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired ease of operation
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 a single person to easily launch a boat into the water with minimal physical effort by creating a pressing motion using the rod and contact pad, reducing reliance on external devices and mechanical aids.
Implementation Method 1
an extendable and retractable rod to create the pressing motion necessary to propel the boat in the opposite direction
Data Source
AI summary
A self-sufficient launch device mounted to the body of a water vehicle that applies a pressing force to a surface to launch the vehicle into the water, comprising at least two force creating devices adapted to create the pressing motion required to launch the vehicle, an extendable and retractable rod that extends towards the surface upon activation, a contact pad connected to the rod that interacts with, and applies force directly to, the surface on which the vehicle is located, a power supply that enables the movement of the at least two force creating devices, and a control system adapted for remote operation of the device.