Pedal Drive Mount System With Retractable Four-Bar Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pedal-powered watercraft, such as kayaks, face difficulties in loading, transporting, and launching due to the projection of the drive shaft and propulsion unit beneath the watercraft, which increases complexity and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A pedal propulsion system with a mount portion and a four-bar linkage arrangement that allows the drive column, link support, and links to move between extended and retracted positions, enabling a lower profile and easier handling by integrating a column clamp and cradle for secure fixation of the drive column, facilitating a more compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive shaft and propulsion unit are positioned beneath the watercraft for pedal propulsion, then propulsion functionality is achieved, but the profile height increases making loading and transportation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a four-bar linkage mechanism that enables the drive shaft and propulsion unit to dynamically change position between an extended operational configuration and a retracted stowed configuration. The linkage includes a mount portion attached to the watercraft, a link support with upper and lower links that pivot relative to each other, allowing the drive column to move vertically between positions
Solution Approach 2:
The column clamp is designed to receive and surround the drive column, with the clamp itself being mounted to the link support. This nested arrangement allows the drive column to be securely held within the clamp structure when in the retracted position, minimizing the overall profile height while maintaining secure fixation
2Productivity
If the drive shaft is extended beneath the watercraft for operational propulsion, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but the watercraft becomes more difficult to launch and unload
Solution Approach 1:
The four-bar linkage mechanism allows the propulsion system to transition between two distinct states: an extended position where the drive shaft is positioned for optimal propulsion efficiency, and a retracted position where the drive shaft is elevated to facilitate easy launching and unloading of the watercraft
Solution Approach 2:
Before launching or unloading the watercraft, the user can preliminarily retract the drive shaft using the four-bar linkage mechanism, preparing the propulsion unit in a compact configuration that simplifies subsequent handling and deployment operations
3Device complexity
If a fixed drive shaft position is used for pedal propulsion, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the profile cannot be reduced for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled dynamic element through the four-bar linkage mechanism that allows the drive shaft position to change while maintaining relatively simple structural components. The mechanism uses pivot connections between the mount portion, link support, upper link, and lower link, avoiding complex actuators or motors
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion system is segmented into distinct modular components: the mount portion attached to the watercraft frame, the link support structure, the upper and lower links forming the four-bar mechanism, the column clamp for securing the drive column, and the drive shaft itself. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling overall position adjustment
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 system allows for a lower profile propulsion unit that can be easily raised and lowered, simplifying the loading, transportation, and launching of the watercraft while maintaining operational efficiency, as the propulsion system can be quickly transitioned between operational and stowed positions.
Implementation Method 1
A pedal propulsion system with a mount portion and a four-bar linkage arrangement that allows the drive column, link support, and links to move between extended and retracted positions
Implementation Method 2
integrating a column clamp and cradle for secure fixation of the drive column
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mounting a pedal propulsion system to a watercraft, having a mount portion configured to be attached to the watercraft, a link support, and upper and lower links pivotally connected to the link support and to the mount portion. The link support and upper and lower links are configured to form part of a four-bar linkage arrangement and to simultaneously move together between an extended and lockable, operable position for operating the propulsion system, and a retracted and lockable, stowed position elevated above the extended position, for loading, transporting, unloading and/or launching the watercraft in the water. A column clamp is configured for selectively fixing a drive column of the pedal propulsion system to the link support, wherein the drive column, the link support and the upper and lower links are configured to simultaneously move together between the extended and retracted positions.