Floating Craft Canopy Force Distribution for Storm Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing river float crafts, such as kayaks and canoes, are prone to overturning during storms due to wave, weight, and wind resistance, posing safety risks and increasing the difficulty of escape and self-rescue for athletes.
Innovation Solution
A canopy system with a force distribution assembly that includes detachable covers and connectors, allowing the wind force to be distributed and reduced by rotating and gliding along the surface of the floating structure, thereby stabilizing the craft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the kayak is designed to be long and narrow to achieve higher speed, then the speed performance is improved, but the stability of the kayak body deteriorates and it becomes easy to overturn during storms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a canopy as an intermediary structure that covers the kayak body. The canopy acts as a mediator between the wind and the kayak, blocking direct wind impact on the kayak body and reducing the overturning moment. The canopy is supported by a framework that distributes wind forces, preventing the kayak from capsizing during storms while maintaining the long and narrow design for speed performance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If more weight is added to the river float crafts to improve stability, then the stability is improved, but the weight resistance increases and拖s on the craft during rowing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the canopy structure as a counterbalancing element that provides stability without adding significant weight to the kayak. The canopy framework, when subjected to wind pressure, creates a stabilizing effect that counteracts the tendency of the kayak to overturn. This allows the kayak to maintain stability through aerodynamic/structural counterbalancing rather than adding ballast weight, thus avoiding increased weight resistance during rowing.
3Reliability
If a canopy is added to provide anti-turnover ability, then the safety and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the canopy system into segmented, modular components including a framework with multiple support bars, a canopy cover, and attachment mechanisms. This segmentation allows for easier assembly, disassembly, and storage of the canopy system. The modular design reduces the complexity burden by enabling the canopy to be configured only when needed for storm protection, rather than being a permanently integrated complex structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A canopy system upon a floating structure includes a cover detachably coupled to a body of the floating structure; and a connector instantly detachable coupling the body with the cover having at least one force distribution assembly, wherein the at least one force distribution assembly moves substantially freely in respective to a connection point on the body and independent from a floating motion of the body of the floating structure so that a wind force received by the cover is reduced to be transferred to the body.