Movable Platform Assembly Translation System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing platform assemblies for boats, such as telescopic gangways, have a significant overlap between movable and fixed parts at maximum extension, limiting the usable surface area and leading to inefficient space utilization, especially in applications where length extension is comparable to or less than width.

Innovation Solution

A movable platform assembly with a horizontal translation system comprising rotatable main arms and sliders, allowing for a translation/size ratio close to 1, reducing overlap and enabling greater surface usage, and combining with additional movements for increased versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If telescopic gangway systems are used with significant overlap between movable and fixed parts, then structural stability is ensured, but the usable surface area is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidusable surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The translation system is divided into multiple functional components: main arms for translational movement, secondary arms for stabilizing movement, and corresponding sliders and guides. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both stability and extended surface area utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from simple linear telescopic movement to a multi-dimensional movement pattern involving both longitudinal translation (via main arms) and transverse stabilization (via secondary arms). This dimensional expansion allows the platform to achieve stability through distributed support points rather than overlapping structures.

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

2Area of moving object

If translation/size ratio is increased close to 1, then surface utilization is improved, but the risk of interference with additional movements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface utilizationVSAvoidinterference risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The translation system is divided into multiple functional components: main arms for translational movement, secondary arms for stabilizing movement, and corresponding sliders and guides. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both stability and extended surface area utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary arms act as intermediary elements between the main translational movement and the platform, providing stabilizing movement that mediates the interaction between the extended platform and the boat structure. This intermediary mechanism reduces direct interference while enabling full surface utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of moving object

If overlap between parts is reduced, then space efficiency is improved, but the complexity of ensuring stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidstability ensuring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The translation system is divided into multiple functional components: main arms for translational movement, secondary arms for stabilizing movement, and corresponding sliders and guides. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both stability and extended surface area utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary arms serve multiple functions: they provide stabilizing movement, support the platform during extension, and work in conjunction with the main arms to maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate stability mechanisms, managing complexity while achieving space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for a more extensive use of available surfaces, reducing the risk of interference and enabling simpler integration of additional movements, thereby enhancing the assembly's versatility and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of main arms rotatable about respective vertical rotation axes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

a pair of main sliders slidable in a transverse direction along a main guide fixed to the platform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding:

Implementation Method 3

each main arm comprises a proximal end hinged to the support structure and a distal end hinged to one of the main sliders

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3895975B1Movable platform assembly with translation system
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 OPACMARE SPA
  • EP3895975B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3895975B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3895975B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

Mobile platform assembly (1) for a boat (B), comprising a support structure (2) adapted to be connected to the boat (B), a platform (3), and a horizontal translation system (4) which connects the platform (3) to the support structure (2), the horizontal translation system comprising a pair of main arms (41) rotatable about respective vertical rotation axes (x), and a pair of main sliders (42) sliding in a transverse direction along a main guide (43) integral with the platform (3), in which each main arm (41) comprises a proximal end (41a) hinged to the support structure (2) and a distal end (41b) hinged to a respective main slider (42), and in which the platform (3) is translatable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the support structure (2).