Folding Sun Cover With Spring-Loaded Locks For Boats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun covers for boats are not quick and easy to deploy and store, especially in windy conditions, and lack a reliable locking mechanism to maintain their position.
Innovation Solution
A folding sun cover design featuring hubs with rotatable drive members and spring-loaded locks that automatically lock frames in a deployed position, allowing for easy deployment and storage, and independent movement of frames for alignment and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional non-folding sun cover is used, then the sun cover provides stable shading, but it is difficult and time-consuming to deploy and store
Solution Approach 1:
The sun cover is divided into multiple panels that can be independently folded and stored. The frame structure is segmented into collapsible sections that can be quickly disassembled and reassembled, enabling rapid deployment and storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sun cover employs dynamic folding mechanisms with movable joints and articulations that allow the structure to transition between deployed and stored configurations. The folding design enables the sun cover to adapt its shape and size dynamically during deployment and storage operations.
2Reliability
If a traditional sun cover without automatic locking is used, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot maintain position reliably in windy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured with spring-loaded latches that automatically engage when the sun cover reaches its deployed position. The indexing system is designed in advance to guide the frames into the correct position, ensuring reliable locking without requiring complex manual operation during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded locks automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the frames, providing self-locking functionality. The mechanism uses the natural motion of deployment to trigger the locking action, eliminating the need for separate manual locking operations.
3Reliability
If a heavy-duty fixed sun cover is used, then the sun cover is stable and reliable, but it is difficult to maneuver and store
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy-duty frame is divided into multiple lighter segments that can be folded and collapsed. This segmentation maintains the structural integrity and stability when deployed, while enabling easy maneuvering and compact storage when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding design allows the sun cover panels and frame sections to nest within each other during storage, similar to nested dolls. This nesting capability reduces the storage volume significantly while maintaining the full structural capability when deployed.
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 quick and secure deployment and stowage of the sun cover, even in windy conditions, with frames automatically locking into place and allowing for easy storage, enhancing usability and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring loaded lock operatively associated with the first plate. When the first plate is rotated such that the first lock surface is aligned with the first spring loaded lock, the first lock engages the first lock surface to lock the first rotatable plate against rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable sun cover mountable on a watersports tower of a boat. The sun cover includes a pair of frames connected to a pair of hubs mounted on opposite sides of the tower, each hub having a pair of movable mounts. Each of the movable mounts is connected to one of the frames and independently movable to orient the frames each to a locked and deployed position in which each frame is locked in a substantially horizontal position so that each frame is substantially aligned with and parallel to the other frame.