Boat Trailer Stop With Wireless Unsecured Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for preventing watercraft from sliding off towing trailers do not provide an indication to the driver when the watercraft is unsecured on the trailer.
Innovation Solution
A self-activating stop apparatus with a pivotal stop element that automatically alerts the driver through a wireless signal and indicator when the watercraft is unsecured, using a detector and transmitter to monitor the stop element's mode and communicate its status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-activating stop apparatus is installed to prevent watercraft from sliding off trailers, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detector and transmitter components
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element serves multiple functions: it physically prevents watercraft from sliding off the trailer and simultaneously acts as a detection target for the detector. The detector monitors both the position of the stop element and triggers the warning signal, combining mechanical safety function with detection function in a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector is positioned within or adjacent to the stop element housing, and the transmitter is integrated into the same assembly. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the warning function.
2Loss of information
If a detector and transmitter are added to provide unsecured status indication, then information availability is improved, but the loss of energy increases due to continuous monitoring and signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter operates periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The detector monitors the stop element position continuously, but the transmitter only activates when the watercraft is in the unsecured position, creating an intermittent signal transmission pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing mechanical movement of the stop element (caused by watercraft positioning) to automatically trigger the detection and warning process. No additional power is needed to move the stop element or activate the detector - the watercraft's own movement serves to activate the warning system.
3Reliability
If the stop element is biased into deployed mode to prevent sliding, then the watercraft security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the driver must manually reset the stop element
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element automatically returns to its deployed position after being activated by the watercraft. The spring bias continuously pushes the stop element into the deployed position, and the watercraft's own weight and movement force it into the retracted position during loading, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector provides real-time feedback about the stop element's position to the transmitter, which then provides visual feedback to the driver through the warning light. This feedback loop allows the driver to understand the system's state without physically checking the stop element position.
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
The system effectively prevents watercraft from sliding off trailers by ensuring the driver is alerted to the unsecured status, enhancing safety and security during watercraft handling.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor such as a proximity sensor, Hall effect sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method using a self-activating stop device at the back of a boat trailer and providing an automatic unsecured status (US) indication to a boat driver as the boat is being driven out of the water and onto the trailer. The stop device includes a housing having a retractable stop element pivotably positioned therein and having a transmitter-detector assembly that communicates with a remotely-located receiver and indicator on the boat dashboard. As the boat is driven onto the trailer, the boat pivots the stop element down into the housing, activating the transmitter to send a signal to the receiver and illuminating the indicator while the stop element is depressed in the housing. Once the boat transom passes over the stop element, the element pivots upward acting as a stop against the transom, thereby preventing the boat from sliding back off of the trailer and shutting off the transmitter and the US indication.