Collapsible Kayak with Removable Floorboards and Hinged Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current collapsible watercraft designs face challenges in ease of assembly, robustness, and versatility for different uses, such as accommodating varying numbers of passengers and storage of equipment, particularly in foldable kayak systems.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible watercraft system featuring a foldable sheet with predefined creases that transitions between stowed and assembled states, including removable floorboards and engagement members to form a cockpit, allowing for adjustable seating configurations and storage access, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the foldable kayak is designed to be collapsible for easy transport and storage, then the ease of transport and storage is improved, but the structural robustness and stability during use may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transportVSAvoidstructural robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The kayak is divided into multiple foldable panels connected by hinges, allowing the structure to be segmented for compact folding while maintaining integrity when assembled. The floorboards are also segmented into removable components that can be configured differently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The kayak employs dynamic elements including removable floorboards that can be added or removed based on usage needs, and hinges that allow transition between folded and assembled states. This dynamic configuration enables the structure to adapt between transport and usage modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the kayak is designed with fixed seating configuration, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the versatility for different passenger configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidseating configuration versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The floorboards are designed as removable and reconfigurable components rather than fixed structures. Users can remove floorboards entirely for single-passenger use or install them in different configurations for tandem or family seating, allowing the kayak to dynamically adapt to different usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The same floorboard components serve multiple functions: providing structural support when installed, creating separation between passengers, and being removable entirely when not needed. This multi-functionality allows a single set of components to support various seating configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the kayak includes multiple removable floorboards for flexible seating, then the versatility for different uses is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating configuration flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floorboard system is segmented into discrete, standardized panels that can be independently installed or removed. Each panel is a simple component with standardized connection points, reducing the complexity of assembly even though multiple panels are involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floorboards are pre-configured with attachment mechanisms and connection points that simplify the installation process. The preliminary design of these connection systems allows users to quickly assemble different configurations without complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If the kayak is designed with engagement members and floorboards forming hollow beams, then the structural strength is improved, but the weight of the watercraft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidwatercraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The kayak utilizes thin, flexible floorboard panels and hollow beam structures that provide structural strength through their geometry rather than material thickness. The hollow beams create rigid structures using minimal material, reducing weight while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The construction employs composite structures combining the foldable skin material with rigid floorboard panels and hollow beam formations. This composite approach creates strong structural elements that are lighter than solid equivalent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10843772B2Collapsible watercraft with tandem and single-seat configurations

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 ORU KAYAK INC

AI summary

A collapsible watercraft comprises a foldable sheet and is transitionable between a deployable kayak configuration and a stowed configuration by folding or unfolding along predefined fold lines in the foldable sheet. In the kayak configuration, the watercraft is switchable between at least a single-seat configuration and a tandem configuration by installing a desired number of seat and footrest assemblies. At least some of the seat and footrest assemblies are installed in the kayak by strapping seat and/or footrest components to loops nonreleasably attached to removable floorboards of the kayak. The removable floorboards are installed in the kayak using extruded engagement profiles.