Floating Aquatic Support Apparatus with Anti-Rotation Guide Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floating-type on-water support apparatuses allow the support rod to rotate about its central axis, causing wind power generators installed on the rod to face away from the wind, thereby reducing power generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a ball with a guide groove, a floating unit with a restriction protrusion that fits into the guide groove, and a support rod that stands vertically with one end heavier than the other. The restriction protrusion prevents the ball from rotating about the support rod's axis, maintaining the support rod's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ball is supported by a floating part allowing rotation, then the support rod can rotate about the ball, but the support rod rotates about its central axis causing wind power generators to face away from the wind
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation capability is segmented into two independent degrees of freedom: rotation of the ball about the support rod axis (allowed for adaptability) and rotation of the support rod about its own central axis (restricted to maintain orientation). The guide groove structure separates these rotational movements, allowing the ball to rotate while constraining the support rod from rotating about its axis, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and power generation efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support rod is coupled to the ball without restriction, then the structure can adapt to wind direction changes, but the support rod rotates about its axis reducing power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ball and support rod. It mediates the rotational movement by allowing the ball to rotate about the support rod axis while preventing the support rod from rotating about its own axis. This intermediary structure enables wind direction adaptation through ball rotation while maintaining generator alignment, eliminating the harmful power loss from misalignment.
3Productivity
If the restriction protrusion is added to prevent rotation, then power generation efficiency is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction function is applied locally at the interface between the ball and support rod through the guide groove and restriction protrusion. Instead of adding a complex global constraint mechanism, the invention uses a simple localized structural feature (the guide groove with restriction protrusion) that selectively prevents rotation about the support rod axis while allowing rotation about the ball center. This local quality approach maintains power generation efficiency with minimal added complexity.
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
This design prevents the support rod from rotating about its axis, ensuring that wind power generators installed on the rod remain oriented towards the wind, thereby enhancing power generation efficiency and reducing the risk of damage from severe loads.
Implementation Method 1
a floating part which floats on water and supports the ball
Implementation Method 2
a restriction protrusion fitted into the guide groove to restrict the ball from being rotated about an axis of the support rod
Implementation Method 3
the other end is heavier than the one end so that the support rod stands vertically
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a floating-type on-water support apparatus comprising: a ball in which a guide groove is formed along a circumferential surface thereof; a floating unit including a floating part which floats on water and supports the ball so that the ball is rotatable; and a support rod of which one end is exposed above the water so that a structure is installable thereon and the other end is heavier than the one end so that the support rod stands vertically and which passes through the circumferential surface and is coupled to the ball, wherein the floating unit further includes a restriction protrusion fitted into the guide groove to restrict the ball from being rotated about an axis of the support rod.