Boat Mast Angular Adjustment for Sail Wrinkle Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sailing boat rigging systems face challenges in maintaining the optimal vertical angle between the boom and mast during sail furling and unfurling, leading to issues like wrinkles, jamming, and risk of tearing, especially when the sail is partially furled or reefed, which can cause discomfort and damage.
Innovation Solution
An angular adjustment device with detection members, such as optical sensors and pulley displacement sensors, connected to a control module that adjusts the boom's vertical angle to ensure the sail luff segment remains within specific limit positions, preventing excessive horizontal movement and ensuring safe furling or unfurling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vertical angle between the boom and mast is not precisely controlled during sail furling, then the furling operation becomes simpler and more flexible, but the sail may develop wrinkles, become jammed, or even tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs detection members (optical sensors) that monitor the position of the sail luff segment relative to the mast groove and bolt rope. When the luff segment deviates from the correct position, the detection member sends a signal to the control module, which automatically adjusts the boom vertical angle to bring the luff back into proper alignment. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable sail furling without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting when the sail luff segment is out of position and autonomously adjusting the boom angle through the manoeuvring member. The control module continuously monitors detection member signals and makes real-time adjustments without requiring crew intervention, enabling the system to service itself during the furling operation.
2Device complexity
If the boom vertical angle is manually adjusted during sail furling, then the system remains simple and inexpensive, but it cannot adapt to varying sail positions and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system. Detection members (optical sensors) substitute for human visual monitoring, and the control module with actuator substitutes for manual boom angle adjustment. This electromechanical system automatically adapts to varying sail positions and weather conditions without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module dynamically changes the boom vertical angle parameter based on detection member feedback. By continuously adjusting this critical parameter in response to detected sail position changes, the system adapts to varying conditions during furling operations, maintaining optimal geometry without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If the sail is furled with the boom at an incorrect vertical angle, then the furling process may be faster, but the luff segment moves excessively horizontally and becomes stuck in the mast groove
Solution Approach 1:
The detection member proactively monitors the luff segment position before excessive horizontal movement occurs. When the luff approaches incorrect positions that would lead to jamming, the detection member triggers the control module to adjust the boom angle in advance, preventing the problematic movement pattern before it occurs and ensuring smooth furling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary counter-action by detecting when the boom angle is trending toward values that would cause excessive luff horizontal movement. The control module preemptively adjusts the boom angle to counteract this trend, preventing the luff from moving into positions where it would become stuck in the mast groove or bolt rope.
Data Source
AI summary
An angular adjustment device for adjusting a vertical angle between a mast of a boat and a boom articulated to the mast, the boat having a sail connected to the mast by means of a first luff segment of the sail and a manoeuvring member configured to pivot the boom with respect to the mast so as to vary a vertical angle (α), the device having:a detection member configured to detect a second luff segment mobile on the boom; anda control module configured to control the manoeuvring member to pivot the boom so as to reduce the vertical angle in the event that the detection member detects the displacement of the second luff segment.