Multihull Workboat Between-Hulls Harvesting Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting boats face challenges with maneuverability and stability due to the placement of harvesting tools on the bow, which affects the center of gravity and requires additional ballasting, leading to reduced performance and increased size, and they lack efficient methods for continuous harvesting and material transfer without interrupting the process.

Innovation Solution

A multihull workboat design with a harvesting tool positioned between the hulls, allowing for minimal shift in the center of gravity and improved stability, combined with a conveyor belt system for temporary storage and transfer of harvested material, enabling continuous harvesting and efficient material handling without the need for extensive ballasting or complex loading processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the harvesting tool is mounted on the bow of the workboat, then the harvesting function is effective, but the center of gravity shifts forward and rocking increases, requiring additional ballasting and increasing boat size and mass

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvesting functionVSAvoidpositional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from mounting the harvesting tool at the bow (longitudinal position) to mounting it between the hulls (transverse position). This spatial reconfiguration moves the tool from the front of the boat to the centerline between the two hulls, fundamentally changing the center of gravity distribution and eliminating the need for forward ballasting while maintaining harvesting effectiveness.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the multihull configuration with two separate hulls to create independent buoyancy centers. By positioning the harvesting tool between the hulls rather than on the bow, the system segments the weight distribution across multiple buoyant elements, improving stability without requiring additional ballasting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the boat size and mass are increased to compensate for bow-mounted tool rocking, then positional stability improves, but maneuverability and work performance per unit size decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves improved stability not by increasing boat size or mass, but by changing the spatial arrangement of the harvesting tool from longitudinal (bow-mounted) to transverse (between-hulls) positioning. This dimensional change optimizes the center of gravity distribution, allowing small multihulls to achieve the stability of much larger vessels without sacrificing maneuverability.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the harvesting tool height is adjusted for functional reasons, then harvesting adaptability improves, but the center of gravity shifts and tipping stability is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidtipping stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the harvesting tool between the hulls rather than on the bow, creating a more favorable center of gravity distribution. This spatial reconfiguration allows greater height adjustment range while maintaining tipping stability, as the tool can be raised and lowered without causing excessive forward or aft weight imbalance.

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

4Stability of the object's composition

If additional ballasting measures are used to compensate for bow-mounted tool effects, then positional stability improves, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidballasting requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for ballasting measures by changing the spatial arrangement of the harvesting tool from bow-mounted to between-hulls positioning. This fundamental reconfiguration optimizes the natural center of gravity distribution of the multihull vessel, achieving stability without additional weights or complex ballasting systems.

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

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 multihull design enhances maneuverability and stability while allowing for continuous harvesting and efficient material transfer, reducing the need for additional ballasting and complex loading processes, thus improving work performance and positional stability during harvesting and overloading.

Implementation Method 1

The workboat (5) consists of at least two hulls (2)... Due to the buoyancy of the two hulls (2) as floating bodies in the body of water (G), the workboat (5) achieves buoyancy and positional stability.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

The transfer unit (4) has a conveyor belt (4.1)... The harvested material (E) is temporarily stored on the conveyor belt (4.1) and is then transported by the conveyor belt (4.1) to a downstream device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical conveyance:

Data Source

PatentEP4179868B1Combination of a workboat and a transport module and method of operating such a combination
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 DBFZ DEUT BIOMASSEFORSCHUNGSZENT GEMEINNUTZIGE
  • EP4179868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4179868B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4179868B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a workboat 5 with at least two hulls 2, at least one working tool 5.1 and a frame 1. This workboat 5 is part of a method for harvesting aquatic plants W from bodies of water.