Automated Boat Lift Trolley with Sensor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an automated system and method to efficiently move a boat between a boat garage and a dock channel, as existing boat lift assemblies lack automation and integration of electronic control and sensor systems.

Innovation Solution

An automated boat lift and trolley system with integrated electronic control and sensor systems, featuring a track with rails, a boat trolley with wheels, a lift assembly, sensors, and a controller to automate the movement of the boat from the garage to the dock channel, ensuring precise positioning and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an automated control system with sensors is integrated into the boat lift, then the ease of operation and convenience are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors to automatically detect the boat's presence and position on the trolley, and the controller automatically activates the drive assembly to move the trolley along the track and position it at the dock, enabling the system to service itself without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect conditions and a controller to coordinate the drive assembly's movement, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with sensor-based automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a lift assembly is added to lower the boat into water, then the productivity and efficiency of boat deployment are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lift assembly is integrated with the trolley system at the dock, combining the boat transport function (trolley moving along track) with the boat deployment function (lift lowering into water) into a single coordinated system that automatically performs both operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trolley transports the boat to the dock position and positions it correctly on the platform before the lift assembly activates to lower the boat into the water, performing the positioning action in advance of the deployment action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11691705B2Automated boat lift and trolley

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 PETERSON RONALD E

AI summary

An automated system is provided for moving a boat from a storage position in a boat garage to a deployed position in a dock channel. The system can include a boat trolley. The boat trolley can include a frame that couples to and rides on rails of a track that extends between the boat garage and the dock channel. The boat trolley can also include bunker supports for supporting the hull of the boat. A dock lift mechanism can lower the trolley frame into the water, from which the boat can be deployed. Once done using the boat, the user can navigate the boat onto the trolley frame, and the dock lift mechanism used to lift the trolley frame and boat out of the water, and the boat trolley operated to move the boat from the dock to the boat garage for storage.