Hull-Nested Adjustable Tower Assembly for Watercraft Handling

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bolt-on telescoping towers for watercraft disrupt the aesthetic lines and raise the center of gravity, affecting handling and weight distribution.

Innovation Solution

A retractable tower assembly that integrates within the hull, allowing the support to extend and retract, with an actuation system for adjustable height and position, and a brace assembly providing six degrees of freedom for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bolt-on telescoping towers are used, then the tower can be extended for watersports activities, but the aesthetic lines of the boat are disrupted and the center of gravity is raised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower extension capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The tower assembly is nested within the hull structure, with the tower support telescoping into a recess formed in the hull. When retracted, the tower assembly is substantially contained within the hull, preserving the boat's aesthetic lines. When extended, the tower provides the necessary height for watersports activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The tower assembly is integrated with the hull structure by forming the recess directly in the hull and mounting the actuation assembly to the hull. This merging of the tower support structure with the hull eliminates the need for separate external mounting structures, maintaining aesthetic lines while providing tower functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bolt-on telescoping towers are used, then the tower can be extended for watersports activities, but the center of gravity is raised and handling is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower extension capabilityVSAvoidcenter of gravity position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tower assembly is nested within the hull structure, with the tower support telescoping into a recess formed in the hull. When retracted, the tower assembly is substantially contained within the hull, preserving the boat's aesthetic lines. When extended, the tower provides the necessary height for watersports activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The tower assembly is integrated with the hull structure by forming the recess directly in the hull and mounting the actuation assembly to the hull. This merging of the tower support structure with the hull eliminates the need for separate external mounting structures, maintaining aesthetic lines while providing tower functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250296658A1Watercraft with adjustable tower assembly

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 ARC BOAT CO

AI summary

A watercraft comprising a hull, a roof, a support including a first end coupled to the roof and a second end positioned within the hull, and an actuation assembly coupled to the support. The support is moveable between a first position and a second position in response to activation of the actuation assembly. The support extends into the hull a first distance in the first position and a second distance in the second position. The second distance is larger than the first distance.