Watercraft Foil Mount With Angled Insertion and Double Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foil arrangements for watercraft, such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, are complex to assemble and disassemble, often requiring multiple screws or precise alignment, and are prone to contamination and mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
A foil arrangement with a base plate and mast that allows angled insertion, featuring a pivot axis and a double locking mechanism with a clamping device, enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly while ensuring secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a multitude of projections and complex fitting elements are used to attach the base plate to the watercraft, then the attachment strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two functional parts: a base plate with recesses for attachment to the watercraft, and a mast base with corresponding protrusions for insertion into the base plate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast base is designed to be inserted into and nested within the base plate structure. The mast base protrusions fit into the base plate recesses, creating a nested configuration that provides secure attachment without requiring complex external fitting elements.
2Ease of operation
If a quick-release mechanism with high precision fit is used for tool-free assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and susceptibility to contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface uses asymmetric geometry with specific protrusion and recess shapes that guide the mast base into proper alignment during insertion. The asymmetric design provides natural positioning that reduces the precision requirements compared to symmetric high-precision fits, while still enabling tool-free assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses in the base plate act as intermediaries that receive and guide the mast base protrusions. This intermediary structure facilitates the connection process by providing a receptive geometry that accommodates minor misalignments and reduces the precision requirements for direct mating surfaces.
3Reliability
If locking pins protrude from the base plate on both sides for securing the mast, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to air flow obstruction and risk of loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding locking pins that caused air flow obstruction are removed from the design. Instead, the connection relies on the geometric interlocking of the mast base protrusions with the base plate recesses, eliminating the harmful protruding elements while maintaining connection reliability through the nested fit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of protruding elements into a benefit by using the recess geometry itself as the locking mechanism. The recesses provide both the connection interface and the retention function, eliminating the need for separate protruding locking pins and thereby removing the air flow obstruction problem.
4Strength
If multiple screws are used to attach the adapter plate to the base plate, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex assembly and disassembly requiring tools
Solution Approach 1:
The screw-based mechanical fastening system is replaced with a direct insertion system where the mast base protrusions are inserted into the base plate recesses. This substitution eliminates the need for screws and tools, achieving both strong connection and ease of operation through geometric interlocking.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a foil assembly for a watercraft, in particular a windsurfing board or kiteboard, a mast foot being formed on a mast bearing a fuselage, said mast foot being inserted into a cut-out in a baseplate of the board. According to the invention, the mast foot and the baseplate are designed such that the insertion can take place by angling in. The invention also relates to a foil assembly in which a fastening device for fixing the mast foot on the baseplate is designed with a latching means and an additional bracing device.