Collapsible Boat With Folding Rigid Transom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable boats lack enhanced features that balance portability, durability, and ease of configuration between collapsed and expanded states, particularly in terms of structural integrity and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible boat design featuring a hull with interconnected panels, a flexible diaphragm for water-tightness, and a folding rigid transom that remains attached in the collapsed configuration, allowing for efficient expansion into a water-tight expanded configuration using inflatable members and removable transom components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a collapsible hull with flexible diaphragm is used, then portability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hull is divided into multiple rigid panels that can be collapsed together, allowing the structure to be strong when assembled but compact when collapsed. The flexible diaphragm is segmented to work with each panel's rear margin independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The boat combines rigid panel materials (such as aluminum, fiberglass, or plastic) with flexible diaphragm material to create a composite structure that provides both strength when deployed and portability when collapsed.
2Ease of operation
If a folding rigid transom remains attached in collapsed configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding rigid transom is merged with the hull structure through hinges, allowing it to remain attached during collapse and expansion operations. This eliminates the need for separate attachment and detachment steps, simplifying the overall operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transom is designed with hinge joints that allow it to dynamically adapt its position - folding parallel to the hull during collapse and extending perpendicular during expansion - automatically responding to the hull's configuration changes without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If multiple panels are interconnected with flexible diaphragm, then water-tightness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water-tight barrier is segmented into multiple flexible diaphragms, each attached to the rear margin of individual panels. This modular approach allows each diaphragm to be manufactured and tested separately before assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible diaphragm uses thin film material that can be easily formed and sealed to the rigid panels, providing water-tightness through simple attachment methods such as adhesives or grommets rather than complex welding or sealing processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Collapsible boats (130, 170) with foldable rigid transoms (132, 172) are disclosed. A collapsible boat (130, 170) includes a collapsible hull formed from a plurality of panels (134, 136) that extend from a first end to a second end of the collapsible boat (130, 170). Each of the panels (134, 136) is connected with at least one the other panels (134, 136). The collapsible hull is configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A folding rigid transom (132, 172) is used to constrain at least two rear margins of the panels (134, 136) when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The folding rigid transom (132, 172) and seats remain attached to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. A collapsible boat can have one or more interior members (18) that are inflatable to support the collapsible hull in the expanded configuration.