Compact Jack Plate Structure With Enclosed Sleeve Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jack plates for marine vessels have a large footprint and are prone to contamination and structural flexing due to open-faced grooves and multiple parts, which affect their functionality and stability.
Innovation Solution
The jack plate design features enclosed sleeve rods and solid, one-piece plates, with sleeve rods located inboard, reducing the footprint and using proprietary KryptoQuiet™ linear bearings to minimize friction and debris ingress, enhancing structural rigidity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If open-faced grooves or slots are used for sliding mechanisms, then the device can be assembled from multiple parts, but the device takes up more lateral space and is prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sliding mechanism components into a single integrated plate structure, eliminating the need for separate brackets and grooves. The sleeve rod is directly mounted on the plate, combining multiple parts into one unit that reduces lateral footprint while maintaining ease of assembly through simplified installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve rod is nested within a sleeve structure that is integrated into the plate. This nested configuration allows the sliding mechanism to be contained within a compact footprint, reducing the lateral space required while protecting the internal components from contamination.
2Ease of manufacture
If open-faced grooves are used for sliding mechanisms, then the device can be assembled from multiple parts, but debris and dirt can enter and affect functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a closed sleeve structure that acts as a protective shell around the sleeve rod. This enclosed design prevents debris and dirt from entering the sliding mechanism, while the sleeve can be installed as a single unit maintaining ease of assembly. The sleeve functions as a barrier that protects internal components from environmental contaminants.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple parts are assembled into the jack plate, then the device can be manufactured from standard components, but the structure is more prone to flexing and is weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single monolithic plate structure. This integration eliminates the joints and connections between separate parts, thereby eliminating the flexing that occurs at connection points. The single-piece construction provides superior structural rigidity while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through the use of standard plate materials and simplified installation procedures.
4Device complexity
If the sliding mechanism is positioned outboard toward the edges, then the structure can be simpler, but the footprint is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the sliding mechanism from a lateral arrangement to a vertical arrangement. The sleeve rod extends vertically through the plate rather than horizontally across the edges. This dimensional change allows the mechanism to be centrally located, reducing the lateral footprint while maintaining structural simplicity through the vertical orientation of the sliding components.
Data Source
AI summary
A jack plate with a single solid engine plate and a single solid transom plate. The transom plate features one or more sleeves integrated therein. The engine plate is connected to one or more sleeve rods that insert into the sleeves when the engine plate is lowered with respect to the transom plate. The sleeves each feature a narrow backwards facing slot through which the engine plate connects to each sleeve rods. Each sleeve rod is equipped with a linear bearing and a proprietary material that reduces friction. Only a single end of each sleeve rod is connected to the jack plate. The other, free end, of each sleeve rod passes through a first and a second end of the sleeve into which it is inserted. The configuration of the sleeves, sleeve rods and plates allows the device to be shorter, thinner and narrower thereby taking up less space.