Magnet-Assisted Halyard Locking Without Triplines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Synthetic halyards used in sailboats suffer from 'creep,' leading to inconsistent tension and the need for frequent adjustments, which complicates sail trim and can result in unsightly wrinkles, especially on racing boats. Traditional halyard locks require manual inspection and often necessitate multiple triplines that can jam or break, making operation difficult.
Innovation Solution
Magnet-assisted automatic locking mechanisms that control the operation of halyard locks through magnetic attraction and repulsion, eliminating the need for triplines and allowing a single crew member to raise and lock the halyard, with automatic unlocking functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional halyard locks with triplines are used, then the lock can be manually operated, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to multiple triplines that can jam or break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tripline system entirely from the locking mechanism. The magnetic flipper lock operates independently using magnetic fields generated by magnets in the housing that interact with a ferromagnetic slug on the halyard, eliminating the need for triplines and their associated complexity and reliability issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tripline-based unlocking system with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets in the housing create magnetic fields that attract or repel the ferromagnetic slug to control the flipper positions, substituting mechanical cable tension with magnetic forces
2Reliability
If traditional halyard locks require manual inspection, then the locking status can be confirmed, but the loss of time increases due to crew members needing to be sent aloft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators that change appearance based on the locking status. The housing or components are designed to display different visual states (such as visible vs. hidden flipper positions, or color-coded indicators) that allow crew members to determine lock status from deck level without manual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic flipper lock system is designed to be self-indicating, where the position of the flippers and magnetic components naturally provides visual feedback about the locking status. The system serves its own monitoring function without requiring external inspection
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple triplines are used to operate the lock, then the locking mechanism can be controlled, but the reliability decreases due to jamming or breakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the tripline system entirely, removing the source of jamming and breakage problems. The magnetic field-based control system has no physical cables that can fail, significantly improving reliability while maintaining full locking control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tripline control system with a magnetic field-based system. The magnets in the housing create magnetic fields that reliably control the ferromagnetic slug and flipper positions without the mechanical wear, jamming, or breakage associated with triplines
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 magnet-assisted locking mechanisms maintain consistent halyard tension without triplines, simplifying operation and reducing the risk of jamming or breakage, enabling efficient and reliable sail trim without the need for manual inspection.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet assembly controls the operation of components of the locking mechanisms through forces of magnetic attraction and repulsion
Data Source
AI summary
Magnet-assisted automatic locking mechanisms for use on a sailboat are disclosed herein. One such mechanism includes: a housing having an internal space and configured to receive a slug that moves along a path through the housing, the slug being operably connected to the halyard, the housing including a first housing side and a second housing side coupled to one another; first and second flippers rotatably disposed in the housing, the first and second flippers configured to rotate between at least a cocked position in which the slug is inserted into the housing, a locked position in which a surface of the first and second flippers receive the slug and impede the slug from exiting the housing along the path, wherein the halyard is tensioned in the locked position, and a neutral position in which the first and second flippers allow movement of the slug; and a magnet assembly configured to effect rotation of the first and second flippers.