Modular Inflatable Docking Station with Ballast and Segmented Straps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable docking stations for water-based motorized devices like Seabobs and jet-skis lack a secure and efficient drive-in/drive-out solution, often requiring heavy lifting and are prone to damage due to inadequate securing mechanisms, especially in rough sea conditions.

Innovation Solution

A modular inflatable docking station with a ballast and dump system, featuring a configurable U-shaped or V-shaped design, air toggle loops for linking, and a ballast bag with manual dump to provide stability and resistance to sea swells, along with a secure anchoring mechanism to prevent loss and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a retaining strap runs the whole width of the docking station to secure Seabobs, then the Seabobs are secured against loss in swell, but the design becomes overly complex and difficult for users to remove, use, and return

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single wide retaining strap is divided into multiple separate straps, each attached to individual inflatable tubes. This segmentation simplifies the design by allowing each strap to be independently managed and secured to specific tubes rather than spanning the entire docking station width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

D-rings are introduced as intermediary components that connect the retaining straps to the Seabob handles. These D-rings provide a simple mechanical interface that facilitates easy attachment and detachment while maintaining secure retention, reducing the complexity of direct strap-to-handle connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If inflatable docking stations are designed as large fixed shapes to accommodate multiple water-based motorised devices, then multiple devices can be secured, but they become large and difficult to store

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice accommodation capacityVSAvoidstorage convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station is divided into multiple separate inflatable tube modules that can be independently inflated and deflated. Each tube can accommodate individual water-based motorised devices, allowing the system to scale from one to multiple devices based on need, while deflated tubes become compact for storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The docking station transitions from a static large fixed structure to a dynamic modular system where individual tubes can be independently inflated or deflated. This dynamic configuration allows the docking station to adapt its size and capacity according to the number of devices being stored, optimizing both versatility and storage convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If Seabobs are lifted by hand into or out from the water onto yachts, then no additional equipment is needed, but the process is time consuming and heavy work disliked by crew

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidloading speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable tubes provide buoyant support that counteracts the weight of water-based motorised devices. This anti-weight effect allows devices to be partially supported by the inflated tubes during transfer operations, reducing the manual lifting effort required and enabling faster, easier handling without requiring heavy mechanical lifting equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Reliability

If jet-skis are tied to the back of yachts to avoid lifting, then they remain secured, but they can be damaged from hitting each other or the yacht transom in swells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoiddamage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable tubes serve as an intermediary buffer between the water-based motorised devices and the yacht. The compliant inflatable structure absorbs impact forces from swells and prevents direct contact between devices and the rigid yacht transom, eliminating damage risks while maintaining secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 offers a stable, secure, and easy-to-use docking system that prevents water-based motorized devices from being lost or damaged, allowing for safe storage and easy handling, reducing the risk of flooding and damage from sea swells.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3515805B1Modular inflatable and platform docking stations and method of construction therefor

Publication Date: 2021.09.15 NAUTIBUOY MARINE LTD

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AI summary

An inflatable water-based motorised device docking station is described. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station includes an inflatable tube configurable to form an open ended area to receive a water-based motorised device; a floor area coupled to a portion of the inflatable tube; and a ballast bag with dump attached to the floor area and configured to stabilise the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station.