Electric Dock Mover with Motorized Winch and Walkway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for relocating floating docks to accommodate changing water levels are time-consuming, difficult to operate, and often impractical due to the need for manual effort, especially in windy conditions, and previous solutions pose safety hazards or are not suitable for varying shoreline angles and water level changes.
Innovation Solution
An electrically powered system comprising winches, cables, guide mechanisms, and a control box with switches that allows for both horizontal and vertical relocation of floating docks by adjusting anchor cable lengths and powering a motorized walkway ramp, using a live axle wheel system to facilitate easy movement along a changing shoreline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual winches are used to relocate the dock, then the system remains simple and inexpensive, but the operation becomes time-consuming and difficult, especially in windy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical winching with an electric motor system. The motorized winch automatically winds and unwinds the cable to move the dock horizontally along the shoreline, eliminating the need for manual cranking and significantly reducing relocation time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The dock relocation system performs its own movement function through automated motorized winching and wheel propulsion. The system self-propels the dock along the shoreline using the motorized winch to manage cable tension and the wheel assembly to provide directional control and propulsion.
2Reliability
If the dock is secured to the shore with cables, then the dock remains stable, but the dock cannot be easily relocated when water levels change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static dock-shore connection into a dynamic system. The cable length is made variable through the motorized winch, allowing the connection to adapt as the shoreline moves with changing water levels. The system can dynamically adjust the dock's position while maintaining stable connection during each positioned state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of cable length from fixed to variable. The motorized winch continuously adjusts the cable length between the dock and shore anchor points, enabling the dock to follow the moving shoreline while maintaining tension and stability throughout the relocation process.
3Device complexity
If manual pushing is used to move the dock away from shore, then no additional equipment is needed, but the process requires multiple people and is nearly impossible in windy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual pushing with a motorized propulsion system. The electric motor connected to the winch provides the force needed to move the dock horizontally along the shoreline, eliminating the need for multiple people to manually push and making operation feasible in windy conditions.
4Reliability
If a permanent anchor to the bottom of the body of water is used, then the dock remains stable, but the system is not permitted on many lakes and reservoirs and poses safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anchor from the water column and places it entirely on land. The shore-based anchor points are positioned above the high water level, eliminating any portion of the dock system that contacts water or poses hazards to swimmers and recreational vehicles while maintaining dock stability through the cable connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A floating dock mover that utilizes electrically powered devices to aid in relocating a floating dock whenever water levels change in a lake or reservoir. Electrical powered winching mechanisms are used to adjust cables lengths to maintain a position, or aid to obtain a new position of the dock in relation to the shoreline. Additionally, a motorized speed reducer is used to turn the wheels on the dock walkway, which moves the walkway and dock away from, or toward the shore. By electrically powering winch cable lengths, plus electrically powering the walkway wheels, the dock can be relocated horizontally and vertically and maintain a relative desired position in relation to a moving shoreline. An additional electrically motorized unit is used to operate an anchor which aids in maintaining a dock in a desired position.