Inflatable Bow Float Clamping for Modular Watercraft Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular watercraft designs face challenges in achieving stable, secure, and environmentally friendly connections between modules, particularly in the bow and stern modules, often requiring environmentally harmful adhesives.

Innovation Solution

A bow module for a modular watercraft featuring an inflatable and dimensionally stabilizable float that is clamped into a float receptacle, secured with a bolt connection, and optionally reinforced with a clamping mechanism, allowing for a stable and secure connection without adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If permanent bonds (adhesives) are used for module connections, then connection strength is improved, but environmental harm increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical bonding (adhesives) with a mechanical connection system consisting of a connection element with a float receptacle that receives and clamps an inflatable float. This mechanical system achieves strong connections without using environmentally harmful adhesives, directly resolving the contradiction between connection strength and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is divided into separate components: a connection element, an inflatable float, and a clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows the components to be assembled and disassembled without adhesives, providing both strong connections and environmental friendliness while maintaining flexibility for different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If permanent bonds (adhesives) are used for module connections, then connection strength is improved, but flexibility and ease of reconfiguration decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system uses an inflatable float that can be inflated to engage the clamping mechanism and deflated to release it. This dynamic mechanism allows the connection to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining strength when connected, providing both connection integrity and flexibility for reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable float acts as an intermediary element between the connection element and the module. It provides the clamping force needed for strong connections while allowing easy assembly and disassembly, thus maintaining both connection strength and flexibility without requiring adhesives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid connection system is used, then connection stability is improved, but transport volume and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidtransport volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection element includes an inflatable float that transitions from a compact deflated state for transport to an inflated state for operation. In the deflated state, it occupies minimal space; when inflated, it provides stable connections through the clamping mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between transport volume and connection stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution provides a stable, secure, and environmentally friendly connection between modules, facilitating easy transportation and flexible application of modular watercraft components while reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

the float being inflatable by means of compressed air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air inflation: Compression

Implementation Method 2

being dimensionally stabilizable and, in an inflated state, being clampable or clamped into a recess of the float receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDimensional stabilization:

Data Source

PatentUS20260091853A1Bow module for a modular watercraft, modular watercraft, and use of an inflatable and dimensionally stabilisable float

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 JETWORX GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a bow module (30) for a modular watercraft (20). The watercraft (20) includes interconnectable modules including a stern module (22) and a bow module (30), which can be releasably connected by means of a first connection mechanism (26). The stern module (22) is connectable to a jet-propulsion module (24). The bow module (30) has a connection element (40) and a float (50). The connection element (40) is connectable to the stern module (22) by means of the first connection mechanism (26) and a dimensionally stable float receptacle (42) for receiving the float (50). The float (50) is inflatable by means of compressed air and is dimensionally stabilizable and, in an inflated state, is clampable or clamped into a recess (48) of the float receptacle (42).