Marine Vessel Balancing Device with Embedded Weight Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Boat owners face challenges in accurately balancing their marine vessels along the longitudinal axis during transportation, leading to potential damage and safety risks due to improper loading on trailers, as they often misjudge the center of gravity, especially with additional equipment on board.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a carriage with adjustable boat bunks and scales that allow users to accurately center the vessel over a pivot pin, ensuring even weight distribution and level positioning, with integrated scales for weight measurement and electronic readouts for easy balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If boat owners use visual guideposts or assume the keel represents the center of gravity, then the loading process is simple and quick, but the balancing accuracy is poor leading to improper weight distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecenter of gravity location accuracyVSAvoidbalancing device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical balancing devices with a simple electronic sensor system. Weight sensors are embedded in the trailer tongue and axle assemblies, automatically measuring and displaying weight distribution on a digital display. This electronic substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical balancing equipment while achieving high measurement precision for center of gravity location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The balancing system performs self-measurement through integrated weight sensors that automatically detect and calculate the center of gravity position. The system requires no external measurement tools or complex setup procedures - the trailer itself serves as the measurement device, with sensors embedded in its structure to provide automatic feedback on weight distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the vessel is not properly positioned on the trailer, then loading is faster and easier, but the vessel may move or rock during transport causing damage and safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport safetyVSAvoidbalancing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system where weight sensors continuously monitor the weight distribution on the trailer tongue and axles. The digital display provides real-time feedback to the operator, showing whether the vessel is properly balanced. This feedback loop allows quick adjustment of vessel position until optimal balance is achieved, ensuring transport safety without excessive time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary weight measurement and balance assessment before the vessel is secured for transport. By measuring and adjusting weight distribution in advance, the system ensures proper positioning is achieved before departure, preventing movement or rocking during transport while minimizing the time required through automated measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional equipment like consoles, steering wheels, and covers are added to the boat, then the boat functionality is improved, but the center of gravity shifts making balancing more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboat equipment configurationVSAvoidcenter of gravity calculation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual center of gravity calculation methods with electronic weight sensing that automatically accounts for the actual weight distribution regardless of equipment configuration. The sensors measure the actual forces on the trailer components, providing accurate center of gravity location even when additional equipment shifts the balance point, eliminating the need for complex calculations or assumptions about equipment weight and position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables easy and accurate balancing of marine vessels along their longitudinal axis, preventing rocking and movement during transport, thus reducing the risk of damage and accidents by ensuring proper weight distribution and centering.

Implementation Method 1

A device and method of using same the allows a person to easily and accurately balance a marine vessel along its longitudinal axis... featuring a carriage with adjustable boat bunks and scales that allow users to accurately center the vessel over a pivot pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240351668A1Method and Device of Balancing a Marine Vessel

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 BATTEN KEITH

AI summary

A method and device for finding the center of balance with respect to the longitudinal axis of a marine vessel or other large vessel that includes a carriage pivotably attached to a subframe via one or more pivot pins inserted into pillow block bearings. Boat bunks are attached to horizontal rails of the carriage such that they can slide independently along those rails. The carriage can feature a number of stoppers that are positioned to engage with a portion of the subframe when the carriage tips far enough to the right or left side. These stoppers can activate scales located on the subframe to assist the user in centering or balancing the mass of the vessel and any equipment located therein.