Collapsible Canoe Hull Sections With Integrated Mating Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern kayaks are not designed for easy storage and transportation, relying on screws and loose parts for assembly, which compromises their strength and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A divisible canoe design with at least two molded hull sections featuring self-supporting joints with protruding members and corresponding grooves for effortless connection and separation, eliminating the need for tools or screws, and allowing optional length configurations by combining sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the canoe is made as a single molded piece, then the strength and durability are improved, but the ease of storage and transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidstorage and transport convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The canoe is divided into multiple separate hull sections that can be molded individually and then connected through joints, allowing the canoe to be disassembled for storage and transport while maintaining the strength of individually molded sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the canoe is divided into multiple sections for easy storage, then the ease of storage and transport is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and transport convenienceVSAvoidnumber of parts and joining mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The joining mechanism is merged with the hull sections themselves through integrated joints that are molded as part of the hull sections, eliminating separate fasteners and reducing the overall number of components while enabling easy assembly and disassembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If traditional screws and loose parts are used for assembly, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the strength and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly convenienceVSAvoidjoint strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is integrated directly into the hull sections through molding, creating a unified structure where the connection between sections is as strong as the hull material itself, eliminating weak points associated with separate fasteners while maintaining ease of assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joints are designed to self-align and self-secure when hull sections are connected, with the molded features automatically providing the necessary connection geometry and locking action without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8327792B2Canoe with multiple hull sections

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 POINT 65 SWEDEN

AI summary

A canoe is provided, which is easier to store and transport than the canoes of the prior art, still being versatile, strong and durable in regard of its primary use as a paddling boat. The invention provides a collapsible canoe, such as a kayak, comprising at least two molded hull sections and also a method of manufacturing a canoe. The canoe comprises a joint for releasable connection of a first hull section to a second hull section, wherein each hull section of the joint comprises means for mating the other hull section. Thereby the invention provides a canoe having sections that can be connected for use as a boat and separated for transport and storing. Preferably, the mating means are molded into each respective hull section.