Foldable Boat Top Frame for Flat Deck Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat top systems, such as Bimini tops, T tops, upper stations, and top drives, are not easily stowable, are prone to damage during transport, and obstruct boat activities due to their permanent attachment and lack of strength.
Innovation Solution
A boat top system with a top plate connected by joints to a frame assembly, allowing easy transition between deployed and stowed configurations, with removable inserts and attachable to the deck, enabling flat stowage on the boat deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If boat top systems are permanently attached to provide protection, then protection from sun and weather is improved, but ease of stowage and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boat top system is divided into separate components: a top plate and a frame assembly that can be detached. The frame assembly includes legs with detachable connections that allow the structure to be separated into manageable parts for easy stowage while maintaining integrity when deployed for protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable structure. The frame assembly can be detached and reattached, allowing the boat top to be deployed when protection is needed and stowed when not needed, providing operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If boat top systems are made strong to resist wind damage, then reliability improves, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame assembly is segmented into individual legs with detachable connections, allowing the structure to be lightweight yet strong when assembled. Each leg can be optimized for strength-to-weight ratio, and the modular design reduces overall weight compared to a monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Strength is concentrated at critical locations such as the joints and connection points rather than uniformly distributed throughout the entire structure. The detachable connections are designed with localized reinforcement to handle wind loads while keeping the overall weight minimal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If boat top systems are permanently fixed to provide stable structure, then structural stability improves, but interference with boat activities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides structural stability when deployed and needed, but can be quickly removed to eliminate interference with boat activities. The detachable frame assembly allows the structure to be stable during use and non-intrusive during storage, adapting to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame assembly can be completely removed from the boat when not needed, extracting the potential source of interference while leaving the top plate or other non-interfering components in place. This allows boat activities to proceed without obstruction.
4Reliability
If boat top systems use permanent attachment methods, then reliability improves, but time required for installation and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with detachable connections allows for quick installation and removal without requiring permanent attachment methods. The modular frame assembly can be rapidly attached or detached from the top plate and boat structure, minimizing time loss while maintaining secure attachment when deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
A boat top system can be easily moved between a deployed state and a stowed state on a boat. The boat top system includes a top plate attached to a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes four legs attached by joints to the underside of the top plate. Two of the four legs include a detachable connection and the other two of the four legs include a joint connection. The detachable connection and the joint connection allow the four legs to easily fold for stowing the boat top system in the stowed state. The detachable connection and joint connection also allow the four legs to easily unfold and deploy the boat top system in the deployed state. A removable insert may be included in the top plate for further features and options.