Mast-Boom Base Guide Layout for Integral Sail Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sailing devices require a mast with increased strength to support the boom, leading to a need for a structure that allows integral rotation of the sail, mast, and boom without increasing the mast's strength requirements.

Innovation Solution

A sailing device with a base that connects to the mast and boom, allowing them to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the hull, reducing the load on the mast by connecting the boom's proximal portion to the base instead of the mast's lower end, and utilizing arcuate or circular guides and moving members to facilitate this rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the proximal portion of the boom is connected to the lower end portion of the mast, then the sail, mast, and boom can be integrally rotated, but the mast requires relatively large strength to support the boom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegral rotation capabilityVSAvoidmast strength requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sailing device is divided into separate functional components: the mast supports only the sail, while the boom is supported by a separate circular guide structure. This segmentation allows the boom's weight to be borne by the circular guide rather than the mast, reducing the mast's strength requirements while maintaining integral rotation capability through the connected base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A circular guide structure serves as an intermediary between the boom and the hull, providing rotational support without requiring the mast to bear the boom's weight. The circular guide acts as a mediator that enables the boom to rotate integrally with the mast while independently supporting the boom's structural load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a circular guide is used to support the boom, then the mast's strength requirement is reduced, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemast strength reductionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The circular guide is positioned in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the mast's vertical axis, utilizing the lateral space around the mast rather than requiring additional vertical or longitudinal space. This dimensional arrangement allows the circular guide to support the boom while minimizing interference with the hull's forward-rearward and right-left dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the base guides are positioned in the arcuate shape leftward and rightward of the central portion of the mast, then the installation space is reduced, but the guides may obstruct passenger movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidpassenger movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base guides are positioned asymmetrically at specific locations (leftward and rightward of the mast's central portion) where they provide necessary structural support without creating obstruction zones in the primary passenger movement pathways. This localized positioning optimizes the balance between structural function and passenger accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4682038A1Sailing device
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4682038A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682038A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4682038A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A sailing device (100, 200) includes a base (40) configured to allow a lower end portion (20d) of a mast (20) and a proximal portion (30c) of a boom (30) to be connected thereto, and configured to be rotatable in a plane perpendicular to an upward-downward direction of a hull (111, 211).