Flexible-Joint Watercraft Port Canopy for Floating Dock Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aluminum canopy assemblies for watercraft are not well suited for floating watercraft ports due to material fatigue and cracking caused by the motion and flexing of the ports, necessitating a flexible joint solution to accommodate the movement of floating watercraft ports.
Innovation Solution
A canopy assembly with flexible joints using binding mechanisms and polymeric materials to allow components to flex and move relative to one another, eliminating direct metal-to-metal contact and reducing wear and fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional aluminum canopy assemblies are used for floating watercraft ports, then structural strength is maintained, but material fatigue and cracking occur due to motion and flexing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid fixed joints with flexible joints that allow relative movement between canopy components and the floating port structure. The flexible joints include binding devices that permit controlled motion while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the canopy to adapt to the port's movement without causing material fatigue or cracking in the aluminum components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid joints are used to connect canopy components to floating port, then structural stability is maintained, but wear and fatigue increase due to direct metal-to-metal contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing flexible joint components as mediators between the rigid canopy aluminum components and the floating port structure. These flexible joints include binding devices and polymeric elements that act as cushions, eliminating direct metal-to-metal contact while maintaining structural stability through controlled flexibility.
3Reliability
If flexible joints are implemented to accommodate port motion, then material fatigue is reduced, but joint complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the flexible shells and thin films principle by using flexible binding devices and polymeric materials in the joints. These flexible elements provide the necessary motion accommodation through their inherent flexibility rather than through complex mechanical mechanisms, reducing joint complexity while maintaining fatigue resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
One example provides a canopy assembly including a canopy frame to support a flexible cover to form a canopy, the canopy frame including at least a first beam and a second beam and a plurality of trusses to extend between the first beam and the second beam. A plurality of columns is to support the canopy frame, each column including a leg having a lower end to couple to a floating watercraft port, a gusset to connect to an upper end of the leg, the gusset to engage the corresponding one of the first beam and the second beam, and at least one binding device to hold the corresponding one of the first beam and the second beam to the gusset to form a flexible joint there between to enable the canopy frame and the column to move relative to one another at the flexible joint.