Floating Hull Pad System for Boat Lifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat lift systems require high skill levels for docking, do not maintain boat stability during unloading/loading, and can put pressure on docks, with metal-on-metal contact leading to wear and limited adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A floating bunk system with hull pads and end channels, featuring a sliding guide assembly with cylindrical or T-shaped guide poles, flotation, and a locking mechanism that self-aligns and secures boats without metal contact, allowing for easy docking and adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metal guide systems are used in boat lifts, then structural strength and locking reliability are improved, but metal-on-metal contact causes wear and reduces system lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floating bunk system with bushings as an intermediary component between the metal guide poles and the end channels. The bushings act as a mediator that eliminates direct metal-on-metal contact, reducing wear while maintaining the structural strength and locking reliability of the metal guide system.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating bunk system combines different materials - metal guide poles for structural strength, bushings (likely polymer or composite material) for wear reduction, and floating components for stability. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve reliability and extended lifespan.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed position docking systems are used, then docking stability is improved, but high skill levels are required and boats cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The floating bunk system is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The bunk can float and adjust to different boat positions and sizes, providing stability through buoyancy while allowing easy adjustment by simply moving the boat to the desired position without requiring high docking skill.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in operational parameters - the floating bunk can move vertically and horizontally to accommodate different boat types, sizes, and docking positions. This parameter adjustability maintains stability while significantly improving ease of operation.
3Force
If traditional lift systems are used, then boat support is provided, but pressure is put on the dock and boats are not held stable during unloading/loading
Solution Approach 1:
The floating bunk system utilizes buoyancy as a counterweight force to support the boat. Instead of transferring all the boat's weight to the dock through the lift mechanism, the floating bunk provides upward buoyant force, significantly reducing the pressure on the dock while maintaining adequate boat support.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating bunk system operates on hydraulic principles - the buoyant force generated by the floating components provides upward support to counterbalance the boat's weight, reducing the load on the dock structure while maintaining stable boat support during unloading and loading operations.
4Ease of operation
If floating bunk system is added to lift, then docking ease and boat stability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating bunk system is segmented into modular components - guide poles, bushings, floating bunk components, and connection elements. This segmentation allows for easier installation, maintenance, and adjustment, offsetting the increased complexity through modularity and standardized interfaces.
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
Reduces docking skill requirements, maintains boat stability, minimizes dock pressure, extends system lifespan by avoiding metal contact, and allows for effortless boat handling and secure locking.
Implementation Method 1
a floating end channel (30F) connected to a hull pad assembly (20) that floats on a surface of the water
Implementation Method 2
The slide guide assembly (40) may include a guide pole (49) that is cylindrical shaped or T-shaped (in cross-section) with an upper bushing (45) received on the guide pole (49) and a lower bushing (45) received on the guide pole (49)
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a floating bunk system of this disclosure include a hull pad assembly extending in a longitudinal direction and including two hull pads spaced apart from one another and, at each end of the hull pad assembly, a sliding guide assembly including a pair of guide poles, each guide pole of the pair extending in a vertical direction; an upper end channel extending in a lateral direction and connected to the hull pad assembly and to the pair of guide poles; a lower end channel extending in the lateral direction and including a pair of lower bushings; each lower bushing receiving a respective guide pole; the upper end channel being in a fixed position relative to the pair of guide poles; the lower end channel being slidably vertically displaceable along the guide poles toward and away from the upper end channel.