Electric Floating Picnic Table With Retractable Keel Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motorized picnic tables for open water are either non-motorized or use loud, emission-producing gas and/or oil combustion systems, limiting their enjoyability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A motorized floating picnic table equipped with an electric motor, rechargeable deep cycle battery system, and a retractable keel for improved steering, providing a quiet and emission-free experience for open water use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gas or oil combustion motor systems are used to motorize the picnic table, then the picnic table can be propelled on open water, but the system becomes loud and produces emissions, reducing enjoyability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas/oil combustion mechanical system with an electric motor system. The electric motor is powered by a battery pack, eliminating the combustion engine that produces noise and emissions. This substitution maintains the propulsion capability while removing the harmful factors of loud noise and exhaust emissions, thereby improving enjoyability for open water use.
2Device complexity
If a traditional steering design is used for the picnic table, then the structure remains simple, but the broad base of the picnic table craft limits steering effectiveness on open water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retractable keel that can be extended or retracted to dynamically adjust the steering characteristics of the picnic table. When the keel is extended, it provides directional stability and improved steering response on open water. When retracted, it minimizes resistance and maintains simplicity. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and steering effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the picnic table is designed for open water use, then transportation capability is improved, but the broad base creates steering difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable keel allows the picnic table to adapt its hydrodynamic characteristics based on operational needs. For open water transportation, the keel can be extended to provide directional stability and improve steering control despite the broad base. The ability to extend or retract the keel dynamically enables the craft to maintain both open water versatility and steering controllability.
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 quiet, emission-free, and efficient transportation of people and goods on open water, enhancing the picnic experience with improved steering and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a battery mounted on the base under the top boards, wherein the battery is electrically connected to the motor
Implementation Method 2
a floatation device; a base configured to frame and rest upon the floatation device
Implementation Method 3
a retractable keel hingedly mounted adjacent a second end of the longitudinal axis opposite the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A floating motorized picnic table includes a floatation device; a base; benches attached to the base; tabletop supports; a tabletop attached to the tabletop supports; a motor; and a battery electrically connected to the motor. The base frames and rests upon the floatation device. The benches include bench boards attached above and parallel to the floatation device. The tabletop supports are attached between the benches. The tabletop includes top boards. The battery is mounted on the base under the top boards. The motor is mounted at one end with a retractable keel located adjacent to the opposite end.