Depth-Sensing Trailer Guidance for Boat Launch Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accurately determining the depth of a watersport trailer in water, leading to issues such as increased wear on boat components and potential damage during loading and unloading, due to visibility and judgment limitations.
Innovation Solution
A depth-sensing water sport vehicle trailer equipped with sensors that detect the trailer's depth in the water, providing alerts through speakers, lights, and mobile device applications to ensure proper positioning, along with sensors to monitor the boat's positioning on the trailer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trailer is positioned too shallow in the water, then the driver can maintain better visibility and control, but increased friction occurs between boat-contacting surfaces and the boat, causing wear and requiring excessive engine power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual estimation method with an electronic depth sensing system. Depth sensors (optical, ultrasonic, or capacitive) automatically measure the trailer's immersion depth in water and transmit this data to the controller, which then provides feedback to the driver through the display interface, eliminating the need for visual judgment while optimizing the depth to minimize friction and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the trailer's depth in water using depth sensors and provides real-time feedback to the driver through the display interface. This feedback loop enables the driver to adjust the trailer position to achieve optimal depth, thereby minimizing friction between the boat and trailer surfaces while reducing engine power requirements during launch.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the trailer is positioned too deep in the water, then friction wear is reduced, but the boat cannot be properly centered on the trailer, leading to off-center positioning and potential damage during reverse operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual centering with an automated sensor-based centering system. Position sensors detect the boat's location relative to the trailer bunkers and provide data to the controller, which displays centering guidance on the interface, enabling precise automated centering that reduces wear while ensuring stable boat positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Position sensors continuously monitor the boat's centering status and provide feedback to the driver through the display interface. This enables the driver to make precise adjustments to center the boat properly on the trailer, preventing off-center positioning that could cause damage during reverse operations, while maintaining optimal depth to minimize friction wear.
3Measurement precision
If the driver exits the tow vehicle to verify trailer depth, then more accurate depth judgment is achieved, but time is lost and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual verification with an automated electronic depth measurement system. Depth sensors continuously measure the trailer's immersion depth and transmit this data to the controller, which displays the information on the interface, providing accurate depth verification without requiring the driver to exit the vehicle, thereby saving time and maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth sensing system provides continuous real-time feedback to the driver through the display interface, enabling accurate depth verification while the driver remains seated in the vehicle. This eliminates the time loss and safety risks associated with repeatedly exiting and re-entering the tow vehicle during depth verification.
4Device complexity
If manual visual estimation is used to determine trailer depth, then no additional equipment is needed, but measurement precision is insufficient leading to repeated adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation with electronic depth sensing technology. Depth sensors (optical, ultrasonic, or capacitive) automatically measure the trailer's depth in water with high precision, and the controller processes this data to provide accurate feedback, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments while adding sophisticated measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth sensing system provides continuous real-time feedback to the driver through the display interface, enabling precise depth determination without repeated trial-and-error adjustments. This feedback mechanism significantly improves measurement precision compared to manual visual estimation, reducing the number of adjustments needed during launch.
5Measurement precision
If third party guidance is sought for depth verification, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human third-party guidance with an automated electronic depth sensing and communication system. Depth sensors measure the trailer's immersion depth and the controller automatically transmits this information to the driver's mobile device or displays it on the interface, providing precise depth verification without requiring external human observers or coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated feedback about trailer depth to the driver through the mobile device interface or onboard display, eliminating the need for third-party guidance. This automated feedback mechanism improves measurement precision while reducing the complexity of coordination and communication with external observers.
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
Enables consistent and efficient trailer positioning without reliance on third parties, reducing wear on boat components and preventing damage by ensuring accurate depth detection and boat alignment.
Implementation Method 1
A depth sensor may be disposed on the trailer and may detect when the depth sensor is within water, which may indicate that the trailer is in a suitable depth of water
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer for towing a watersport vehicle that includes a depth sensor. The depth sensor can detect when the trailer is within a suitable depth of water to launch and/or retrieve the watersport vehicle. The trailer can include one or more sensors to assist in positioning the watersport vehicle on the trailer. Use of the trailer can enable a user to efficiently and properly load and unload the watersport vehicle onto and from the trailer.