Floating Hull Cleaner with Segmented Cleaning Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat bottom cleaners, such as scrubbing plants and handheld cleaners, face challenges in completely removing fouling like shells due to low surface pressure and high costs, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A boat bottom cleaner comprising a telescopic shaft, an angled aluminum pipe, and a cellular plastic floating body with rubber cleaning strips, providing an upward force for effective fouling removal without requiring substantial manual effort, and featuring a locking mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If scrubbing plants with large contact surface brushes are used, then the risk of scratching the bottom surface is minimized, but the surface pressure becomes too low to completely remove fouling like shells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple small cleaning elements distributed across the floating body rather than one large brush. Each cleaning element has a small contact surface that concentrates force on localized areas, achieving high surface pressure to remove tough fouling like shells while the distributed arrangement ensures no single point exerts excessive force that could scratch the hull.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into multiple discrete cleaning elements (brushes, scrubbing pads, or abrasive elements) mounted on the floating body. This segmentation allows each element to independently apply concentrated pressure to different areas, effectively removing fouling while distributing the overall contact to prevent scratching.
2Force
If handheld bottom cleaners with sponge or porous body are used, then upward force is available for cleaning, but the equipment becomes expensive and has not been accepted on the market
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a floating body made of cellular plastic with controlled density and buoyancy characteristics. By adjusting the cell structure, volume, and material properties of the cellular plastic, the upward buoyant force can be optimized to provide sufficient cleaning pressure without requiring expensive porous materials or sponges. This approach maintains the necessary upward force while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating body uses inexpensive cellular plastic material that can be mass-produced through standard manufacturing processes. This replaces expensive porous materials with a cost-effective alternative that achieves the same functional effect of providing upward buoyant force for cleaning operations.
3Volume of moving object
If the cleaner is designed to be easily assembled and disassembled, then it occupies less space when not in use, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner is divided into separable components including a telescopic shaft with multiple sections, an angled member, and a floating body with cleaning elements. Each segment can be independently stored or transported, and when assembled, they form the complete cleaning device. This segmentation enables compact storage while using simple connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic shaft incorporates dynamic elements that allow the shaft length to be adjusted or collapsed. The shaft can be extended during use to reach the hull bottom and collapsed or disassembled for compact storage. This dynamic design enables the device to transition between a compact storage state and a functional extended state without requiring complex locking or assembly mechanisms.
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
The cleaner effectively removes all fouling, including shells, with minimal manual force and is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, occupying less space when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
The floating body 3 shall consist of a material, which gives a substantial upward force when it is below the surface of the water. This force corresponds to the pressure exerted against the bottom when performing the cleaning.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A cleaner for the bottom of launched vessels comprising a floating body (3), a shaft (1) and an angled member (2), arranged between the floating body (3) and the shaft (1), as well as cleaning elements (4) arranged on the floating body. The floating body (3) is arranged to be detachably fixed onto the angled member (2) with a locking member (9) extending through a central longitudinal channel (10) in the floating body, and through a hole (6) at the end of the angled member in alignment with the longitudinal channel (10).