Hinged Trolling Motor Mount with Quick Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor systems for lightweight watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes, pose challenges in terms of weight management and ease of use when transitioning between water and land, as they often hinder the watercraft's mobility and require complex installation and removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A trolling motor system featuring a mounting plate with a hinge and winch mechanism that allows the motor to be raised and lowered, combined with a guidance mechanism for rotational control and a quick release mechanism for easy detachment, enabling secure attachment and removal without hindering the watercraft's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor system is permanently mounted on a lightweight watercraft, then the motor provides continuous propulsion capability, but the weight hinders the watercraft's mobility when moved onto land
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system is divided into separable components: the motor unit can be detached from the watercraft using a quick-release mechanism, allowing the watercraft to be moved onto land without the motor weight while maintaining propulsion capability when the motor is attached for water operation
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic configurable state, where the motor can be quickly attached or detached based on whether the watercraft needs to be operated on water or moved onto land
2Reliability
If a motor system is designed for secure attachment on lightweight watercraft, then the motor remains stable during operation, but the installation and removal processes become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is pre-configured with alignment features and the quick-release mechanism is pre-assembled, allowing the motor to be securely attached or removed with a simple single-action operation rather than requiring complex multi-step installation or removal procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A trolling motor system for a light-weight watercraft comprises: a mounting plate for attachment to the watercraft, the plate includes a fixed end, a moveable end, and a hinge therebetween, a winch is located adjacent the fixed end adapted to raise and lower the movable end between an up position and a down position, a guidance mechanism is coupled to and below the moveable end, and a trolling motor affixed to and located below the guidance mechanism. The system may also include a quick release mechanism coupling the guidance mechanism and trolling motor to the moveable end. The guidance mechanism may include a wire system for controlling rotational movement of the trolling motor. In use, when the watercraft is moved into or out of the water, portions of the system may be easily removed from the watercraft, so that the entire weight of the system is not a hindrance.