Folding Boat Structure with Double-Hinged Outriggers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat designs face a compromise between deck area and transportability, with large deck area boats being unsuitable for transportation and transportable boats having limited deck space, and existing folding boats are complex and cumbersome to set up.
Innovation Solution
A folding boat structure with double-hinged outriggers that deploy to provide a wide, stable deck and fold compactly for transportation, featuring a primary hull, secondary hulls, a beam holding mechanism, winch system, and adjustable bimini for easy configuration between deployed and stowed states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the boat is designed with a large deck area for comfort, then the deck area is improved, but the transportability deteriorates because the boat becomes too wide for roadworthy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The boat is divided into a central structure and multiple detachable outrigger assemblies with secondary hulls. The outriggers can be detached and stored separately, allowing the central structure to meet roadworthy width requirements while the secondary hulls provide additional deck area when assembled at the destination
Solution Approach 2:
The outriggers are designed to extend laterally from the central structure, utilizing the horizontal dimension to increase deck area without increasing the forward dimension (length) that would affect transportability. When folded, the outriggers collapse toward the central structure, minimizing the width for road transport
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boat is designed to be narrow for road transport, then the transportability is improved, but the deck area deteriorates to very small dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The outrigger assemblies incorporate hinges and articulation points that allow them to dynamically adjust between a compact folded position for transport and an extended deployed position for use. This dynamic capability enables the boat to adapt its configuration based on whether it is being transported or is in service
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary hulls are positioned to nest alongside or above the central structure when folded, maximizing space efficiency during transport. When deployed, the secondary hulls extend outward to create additional usable deck space without permanently increasing the transport footprint
3Strength
If existing folding boats are designed with intricate frameworks and multiple fastening components, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex setup procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The outrigger assembly integrates the beam, secondary hull, railing, and support structures into a unified modular unit. This merging of components reduces the number of separate fastening operations required while maintaining structural integrity through the coordinated design of the integrated assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The outrigger assemblies are pre-assembled at the factory with critical structural connections already established. This preliminary action ensures structural integrity is achieved through manufacturing precision rather than requiring complex field assembly, significantly reducing setup complexity for the end user
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a folding boat structure for facilitating transportation, the structure comprising: a central structure having a fixed primary hull; outrigging supporting at least one secondary hull structure having a secondary hull to the central structure, wherein: the outrigging is double hinged so as to be user configurable in a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration and wherein: in the deployed configuration, the at least one secondary hull is located laterally adjacent the main hull and downwardly orientated; and in the stowed configuration, the at least one secondary hull is located above the main hull and upwardly orientated.