Flexible Rope Hull Scrubber for In-Water Contour Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boat hull cleaning methods are inefficient and labor-intensive, requiring boats to be removed from the water or involving dangerous and strenuous manual scrubbing, especially for contoured surfaces, and often necessitate strong individuals to operate.

Innovation Solution

A flexible rope scrubber device with weighted components and filaments extending from its surface, allowing for easy manipulation by multiple users aboard the boat, with adjustable buoyancy and handles for effective cleaning of submerged hulls without removing the boat from the water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a long, stiff and rigid handle is used for scrubbing devices, then the operator can exert force on the boat hull, but the device cannot follow contoured boat hull surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce exertionVSAvoidcontour following capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid handle is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by flexible joints. Each segment can rotate relative to adjacent segments, allowing the handle to bend and conform to curved boat hull surfaces while maintaining the ability to transmit force from the operator to the scrubbing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure. The flexible joints enable the handle to adapt its shape in real-time to match the contours of the boat hull, while still providing sufficient structural integrity to transmit scrubbing forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the boat is removed from the water for cleaning, then thorough cleaning can be achieved, but it is costly and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoiddocking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The scrubbing device is designed to be self-anchored to the boat hull through suction cups or adhesive elements, allowing it to remain attached and operational while the boat stays docked. This enables continuous cleaning without requiring the boat to be hauled out of the water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines multiple functions in one system: it provides mechanical scrubbing action, maintains attachment to the moving boat hull, and allows the boat to remain in the water during operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate operations of boat removal and cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible scrubbing device is used, then contoured surfaces can be cleaned, but the device requires significant manipulation strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontour following capabilityVSAvoidmanipulation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Buoyant elements are integrated into the scrubbing device to counteract the weight of the flexible handle and scrubbing elements. This reduces the effort required by the operator to manipulate the device, making it easier to handle while maintaining flexibility for contour following.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The device merges the flexible handle, buoyant elements, and scrubbing elements into an integrated system. The buoyant elements are combined with the handle structure, and the scrubbing elements are attached to the flexible segments, creating a unified device that is easy to manipulate while effective at cleaning contoured surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient cleaning of boat hulls while the boat remains in the water, reducing physical strain and allowing for effective scrubbing of contoured surfaces by multiple users, enhancing safety and reducing time and cost associated with traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

The rope has filaments captured between the twisted strands forming the rope or applied within its core... one or more weighted components may be disposed within the core and/or between the strands of the rope

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS20120005854A1Versatile Flexible Scrubber Brush

Publication Date: 2012.01.12 BRYAN GEORGE R

AI summary

A versatile, flexible scrubbing apparatus comprising a rope having a first end and a second end wherein the rope may comprise one or more twisted strands wherein one or more filaments may be captured between the one or more strands and/or twists of the rope. The one or more filaments may be positioned essentially perpendicular or at predetermined angles to the length of rope. A handle may be attached to both the first and second end of the rope, wherein user manipulation of the handles may act to pull the rope across the bottom surface of a boat to clean the hull.