Inflatable Boat Base Tube Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable boats suffer from water ingress through openings or hollows between the boat tubes and the base, leading to wet conditions for users, reduced performance due to increased drag, and difficulty in draining water.
Innovation Solution
The design of an inflatable boat where the base and tube segments jointly form the inflatable tubes, eliminating the formation of openings or hollow structures at the ends, thereby preventing water ingress and reducing drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional inflatable boats use separate base and tube segments connected by welding, then the boat can be assembled from modular components, but openings or hollows are created between the base and tubes allowing water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base and tube segments into a single integrated piece of fabric that is inflated to form the complete boat structure. This eliminates the separate components and their connecting seams, thereby preventing water ingress through openings or hollows while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through single-piece fabrication
2Device complexity
If openings or hollows exist between boat tubes and base, then the structure allows for simpler connection assembly, but water enters the vessel cavity causing users to get wet and increasing drag
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the base and tubes into one continuous fabric structure, the patent eliminates the connection interfaces that would otherwise create openings or hollows. This single-piece design prevents water entry and reduces drag while maintaining structural simplicity
3Strength
If welding seams are used to connect base and tubes, then the components can be joined securely, but the seams create potential weak points and openings for water entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates welding seams entirely by using a single piece of fabric for both the base and tubes. This removes the weak points and potential openings created by seam connections, ensuring both structural integrity and water tightness through the continuous fabric structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an inflatable boat, including: a base, which includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion; a first tube segment, which is connected to the first side portion of the base to form a first inflatable tube; and a second tube segment, which is connected to the second side portion of the base to form a second inflatable tube. In the inflatable boat disclosed in the present application, the inflatable tubes are connected to the base in a sealing manner at a bow and a stern, which can prevent water from entering a cockpit of the inflatable boat and improve the dynamic drag and appearance of the inflatable boat.