Boat Through-Hull Support for Steering and Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat designs with integrated propulsion and steering systems face issues of increased complexity, higher manufacturing costs, safety concerns due to exposed actuators, and reduced operational availability due to corrosion and collision risks, as well as inefficiencies in reverse propulsion.
Innovation Solution
A through-hull support system that positions the steering mechanism inside the boat, using a gearbox and inclined transom to house coaxial and counter-rotating propeller shafts, with bushings to protect the steering components and enhance propulsive efficiency during reverse motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the steering system is integrated with the propulsion system in a single component, then the transom area is reduced and space is saved, but the design complexity increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hull support is divided into separate functional components: a support structure for the propulsion shafts and separate bushings for the steering pins. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining the integrated arrangement that reduces transom area.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering mechanism is nested within the propulsion system arrangement. The bushings are positioned within the through-hull support structure, allowing the steering pins to be supported inside the hull while maintaining the compact integrated configuration.
2Device complexity
If the actuators are mounted outside the boat to control the steering, then the steering mechanism is simplified, but the actuators become more subject to corrosion and collision risks
Solution Approach 1:
The bushings act as intermediaries that transmit the steering motion from the internal control mechanism to the external steering pins. This allows the actuators to remain inside the hull protected from corrosion and collision, while still being able to control the steering function.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering pins are extracted from the main propulsion assembly and supported separately by the bushings. This extraction allows the control mechanism to remain internal while maintaining external steering capability, separating the protective function from the steering function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering is arranged astern of the propeller with separate components, then the propulsion and steering are independently controlled, but long hulls are required to support the steerings downstream of the propellers
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure merges the propulsion shaft support function with the steering pin support function. By integrating both functions into a single through-hull support arrangement, the need for long hull extensions is eliminated while maintaining independent control capability through the separate bushing and pin configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Boat (10) comprising a steering and propelling unit comprising at least one driving shaft (11, 11') passing in an opening of the transom (12) for transmitting the motion from a motor to at least one propeller (21, 21'), at least one steering (14) provided at the top with at least one rotation pin (13), and a through-hull support (100) able to be associated with the opening and equipped with a plate portion (101) able to be fixed on the outside to the hull (12) of the boat (10) and with a through- hull tubular portion (102) for support of the at least one driving shaft (11, 11' ), in which the through-hull support (100) also comprises at least one bush (103) passing through the plate portion (101) to support, in a rotary manner, the pin (13) bearing the steering (14) and in which the wall (12) of the hull where the passage opening of the at least one driving shaft (11, 11') is formed is inclined from the top to the bottom in the direction of the stem of the boat (10).