Motorized Nautical Cleat with Spherical Joint for Curved Decks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current nautical cleats require significant physical effort for mooring and kedging operations, are cumbersome, and prone to stress-related damage due to rigid connections on curved deck surfaces, making them difficult to use effectively, especially for larger vessels.
Innovation Solution
A nautical cleat design featuring motorized roller-shaped towing elements with a spherical joint that allows rotation and adjustment to accommodate curved decks, reducing physical effort and stress on the cleat, and enabling easy installation and manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid connection is used to connect the shafts to the deck, then the cleat structure is stable and strong, but it causes stress concentration and damage on curved deck surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid fixed connections with a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The shafts are equipped with adjustable positioning elements that can adapt to the curved deck surface, allowing the connection to flex and distribute stress rather than concentrating it at fixed points. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural integrity while preventing stress-related damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the connection interface by introducing adjustable positioning elements that can modify the angle and position of shafts relative to the deck surface. This allows the cleat to accommodate varying deck curvatures and stress conditions, transforming a static rigid connection into an adaptable structure that prevents stress concentration.
2Device complexity
If manual towing is used for mooring operations, then the cleat structure remains simple, but significant physical effort is required from the crew
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical towing system with an electric motorized system. The motor is connected to the shafts through a transmission mechanism, substituting human physical effort with electrical power. This resolves the contradiction by significantly reducing the physical effort required for mooring operations while maintaining relatively simple structural complexity through the use of standard motorized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cleat is designed with fixed shafts for easy manufacturing, then production is simple, but it cannot accommodate curved deck surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable positioning elements on the shafts that enable dynamic adaptation to curved deck surfaces. These elements allow the shafts to be positioned at various angles and locations, transforming a fixed manufacturing design into an adaptable installation system that can accommodate different deck geometries while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the shaft structure into adjustable components with positioning elements, allowing independent adjustment of each shaft's position and angle. This segmentation enables the cleat to adapt to curved surfaces while keeping individual components simple and easy to manufacture, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A nautical cleat is provided for tying a rope of a boat. First and second shafts are installable on a deck via first and second positioning elements, respectively, and further support first and second tying elements, respectively. A transverse body mechanically connects said first and second tying elements. Fastening means securely fasten said first and second positioning elements to said deck. A first roller-shaped towing element tows and rolls up said rope and is rotatable about a first rotation axis defined by said first shaft. A second roller-shaped towing element is rotatable about a second rotation axis defined by said second shaft and substantially parallel to said first rotation axis. An actuating device comprises at least one motor operatively connected to said first and/or second roller-shaped towing element. Connecting means connect the actuating device to said deck, wherein said actuating device is placed in a position underlying said lower surface. A spherical joint, operatively interposed between the first shaft and the transverse body, allows the rotation of the transverse body with respect to said first shaft, around at least one substantially horizontal axis.