Cruise Ship External Lifting Platform with Vertical Guide Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship lifting platforms are limited in movement and surface area, restricting their use primarily to loading and handling activities, and lack versatility.
Innovation Solution
An external lifting platform with guide members consisting of parallel rails and rollers, equipped with moving mechanisms such as cable winches, pinion/rack systems, and damping means, allowing vertical and curvilinear movement, and featuring load-bearing arms and windbreaks, enabling extended use across multiple deck levels and recreational activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the platform is made larger to increase surface area, then it can accommodate more activities, but it becomes harder to move and control
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is divided into multiple sections that can be independently moved or configured. The guide members are segmented into multiple sets allowing the platform to be positioned at different locations along the ship's length, enabling large surface area when needed while maintaining ease of operation through modular positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can move along the guide members. The moving means (winches, motors) enable the platform to be repositioned vertically and horizontally, allowing it to adapt its position and configuration based on operational needs, thus maintaining ease of operation despite increased surface area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the platform is equipped with multiple moving mechanisms, then it gains versatility in movement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members serve multiple functions: they guide the platform's movement, support its weight, and define the movement paths. The same guide members accommodate different moving mechanisms (winches, motors, rails), making the system versatile without proportionally increasing complexity. The platform can perform multiple operations (loading, recreation, positioning) using the same infrastructure.
3Area of moving object
If the platform extends beyond the hull, then it provides more surface area, but it generates harmful forces due to overhang
Solution Approach 1:
The platform incorporates counterbalancing mechanisms that offset the harmful forces generated by its overhang beyond the hull. By distributing weight and incorporating balancing elements, the system neutralizes the destabilizing effects of the extended surface area, allowing the platform to extend outward without generating harmful unbalanced forces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the platform is designed for multiple uses, then its versatility increases, but its structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed as a universal structure that can accommodate multiple uses through its configurable nature. The same basic platform structure supports both loading operations and recreational activities by simply changing its position along the guide members or adjusting its configuration, without requiring separate specialized structures for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The platform enhances loading efficiency, expands usage beyond traditional loading to include recreational activities, and provides increased versatility and safety with adaptable movement and safety features like windbreaks and boat docking capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a set of cables fixed to the platform and actuated using at least one winch
Implementation Method 2
a rack and pinion system, with a motor located on said platform which drives said pinion in rotation, while said rack extends parallel to said guide means
Implementation Method 3
said platform is equipped with damping means allowing the docking of boats
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cruise ship (1) comprising a hull (10) enclosing at least one deck (100), and at least one superstructure (11) provided with a plurality of superposed decks (110a, 110b, 110n, 110s), said ship being provided with an external lifting platform (2) configured to be moved vertically, characterized in that said ship is equipped with vertical guidance members (3) of the platform (2), said members (3) extending from the deck (100) situated immediately above the waterline F to the highest deck (110s) of said superstructure, said deck (110s) being situated facing the upper end of the guidance means (3).