Hull Positioning Element for Boat Drive Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Dimensional deviations and inaccuracies during the production and assembly of boat hulls, boat drives, and sealing devices lead to leaks, increased material stress, reduced service life, and unfavorable flow behavior due to imprecise transitions and gaps.

Innovation Solution

A boat design featuring a positioning element on the outside of the hull for precise alignment and attachment of fastening means and sealing devices, reducing manufacturing and assembly tolerances, and ensuring a reliable sealing effect with flexible sealing elements subjected to calculable stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dimensional deviations and inaccuracies occur during production and assembly, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates leading to leaks and increased material stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by providing adjustment mechanisms that allow the sealing device to adapt to dimensional variations. The fastening means can be positioned at different locations on the positioning element, and the sealing device can be adjusted in its mounting position, enabling the system to accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning element serves as an intermediary between the hull and the boat drive assembly. It provides a reference structure that mediates the connection, allowing precise positioning of fastening means and sealing devices while compensating for dimensional deviations in the individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If dimensional deviations occur during production and assembly, then manufacturing tolerance range is improved, but service life deteriorates due to increased material stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing tolerance rangeVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanisms allow the sealing device and fastening means to be repositioned to accommodate dimensional variations, preventing excessive stress on sealing elements and fastening components. This extends the service life by ensuring that components operate within their designed stress parameters despite manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning element with multiple positioning possibilities provides a buffer against dimensional deviations before they can cause damage. By allowing adjustment within a range of positions, the system cushions the sealing elements and fastening means from excessive stress that would otherwise occur due to manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If inaccurate transitions and gaps occur on the outside of the hull, then assembly flexibility is improved, but flow behavior deteriorates leading to unfavorable hydrodynamics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidunfavorable flow behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning element allows adjustment of the sealing device and cover positions to achieve accurate transitions and minimize gaps. By enabling positional adjustments, the system can accommodate assembly flexibility while maintaining smooth external surfaces that favorably affect flow behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the external surface transitions are precisely controlled at critical locations. The cover and sealing device can be positioned to create smooth, continuous surfaces in areas where flow behavior is most sensitive, while allowing more flexibility in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2917099B1Hull with opening in the floor for a boat drive
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP2917099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2917099B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hull (1) for a boat comprising a boat drive (2) which is led through a hull opening (3) in the floor of the hull (1), the boat drive (2) being connected to the hull (1) by means of at least one fastening means (4). At least one positioning element (5) is provided on the external side (6) of the hull for positioning the fastening means (4) relative to the hull (1). Further disclosed are a boat comprising such a hull and a method for producing a boat comprising a boat drive.