Boat Transporter with Selective Wheel and Track Engagement

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boat transporting devices are not suitable for transporting boats on both hard and soft terrains, as they either sink in soft terrains or are inefficient on roads, due to the use of wheels or tracks that are not adaptable to different terrain types.

Innovation Solution

A transporting device with a frame equipped with pairs of wheels and tracks that can be moved vertically to adapt to terrain conditions, allowing for optimal contact with the ground and preventing sinking on soft terrains while facilitating movement on hard terrains, and featuring pivotable tracks for sloping terrain adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If wheels are used for transporting the boat, then the device can move efficiently on roads and hard terrains, but it sinks in soft terrains such as sand and mud

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement efficiency on hard terrainVSAvoidability to move on soft terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transporting device employs a dynamic configuration where wheels and tracks can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on terrain conditions. The wheels can be raised or lowered relative to the frame, allowing the device to adapt its contact surface with the ground. This dynamic adjustment enables efficient road travel with wheels while providing track engagement for soft terrain mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device integrates both wheels and tracks as locomotion mechanisms, making it universally capable of operating on multiple terrain types. The frame structure supports both wheel mounting and track attachment, allowing the single device to perform effectively on both hard surfaces (roads) and soft surfaces (sand, mud) without requiring separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If tracks are used for transporting the boat, then the device can move on soft terrains without sinking, but it is not suitable for road transport except over short distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to move on soft terrainVSAvoidmovement efficiency on hard terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The transporting device employs a dynamic configuration where wheels and tracks can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on terrain conditions. The wheels can be raised or lowered relative to the frame, allowing the device to adapt its contact surface with the ground. This dynamic adjustment enables efficient road travel with wheels while providing track engagement for soft terrain mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device integrates both wheels and tracks as locomotion mechanisms, making it universally capable of operating on multiple terrain types. The frame structure supports both wheel mounting and track attachment, allowing the single device to perform effectively on both hard surfaces (roads) and soft surfaces (sand, mud) without requiring separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the device is designed with fixed wheels and tracks, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different terrain conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidability to adapt to terrain conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transporting device employs a dynamic configuration where wheels and tracks can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on terrain conditions. The wheels can be raised or lowered relative to the frame, allowing the device to adapt its contact surface with the ground. This dynamic adjustment enables efficient road travel with wheels while providing track engagement for soft terrain mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11535144B2Transporting device for launching and hauling a boat

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 BOAT ELEVATOR

AI summary

A transporting device for launching and hauling boats is provided. The device includes a frame arranged to support a boat hull and is provided with at least two pairs of wheels. Each pair of wheels is formed by two wheels aligned with each other on opposite sides of the frame, and the frame is further provided with one or more tracks. The device is capable of easily and effectively moving both on roads and other hard terrains, and on soft terrains, such as for instance sandy or muddy terrains. According to an embodiment, the wheels and the tracks are mounted on the frame so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame itself so that they can be selectively brought into contact with the underlying ground or moved away from ground depending on the kind of terrain on which the device is moving.