Pivotable Boat Trailer Guide Roller Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer-mounted boat guide devices lack an efficient mechanism for aligning and guiding boats onto trailers, making the loading process cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A trailer-mounted boat guide device with a pivotable arm system and guide roller mechanism that allows for easy alignment of the boat keel with fixed keel rollers, featuring a horizontally oriented axle, pivotable arms, and a biasing member to maintain the arms in an optimal position for guiding the boat onto the trailer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a trailer-mounted boat guide device is used, then the alignment precision of the boat keel with the trailer rollers is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the pivotable arm system and biasing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member automatically maintains the arms in the optimal horizontal position without requiring manual adjustment or external power sources. The system self-regulates to keep the guide rollers properly positioned for boat alignment, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are made pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust to different boat sizes and loading conditions. This dynamic capability enables the device to maintain alignment precision across various scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-position devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the arms are made pivotable to adjust alignment, then the adaptability to different loading conditions is improved, but the stability of the guide structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member continuously applies force to maintain the arms in their optimal horizontal position, providing automatic stabilization. This self-regulating mechanism ensures structural stability is maintained dynamically without requiring complex locking mechanisms or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member controls the angular position of the pivotable arms, dynamically adjusting this parameter to maintain the optimal horizontal orientation. This allows the structure to adapt to different conditions while maintaining stability through controlled parameter variation rather than rigid fixation.
3Ease of operation
If the guide roller is positioned higher to provide better visibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is mounted on pivotable arms that can dynamically adjust the roller's height and position. This allows the system to optimize visibility for the operator while maintaining the ability to lower or adjust the position to avoid obstacles, balancing ease of operation with collision risk mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical position of the guide roller is made variable through the pivotable arm mechanism, allowing the operator to adjust this parameter based on visibility needs and obstacle conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between needing high visibility and avoiding collisions.
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
Facilitates precise alignment and loading of boats onto trailers, reducing the effort required for users and minimizing the risk of errors during the loading process by providing a clear visual guide and ensuring the boat keel is properly aligned with the rollers.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member engages the mount and the arms. The biasing member biases the second end of the arms upwardly above the top side of the primary support and toward a deployed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A boat loading guiding system includes a trailer including a frame having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the front and rear ends. A mount is attached to the frame and is aligned with the longitudinal axis. A horizontally orientated axle is attached to the mount and is orientated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The axle extends through each of a pair of arms adjacent to their first ends. The arms extend toward the front end and are pivotable to form an angle with respect to a top side of the primary support between 85° and 5°. A guide roller, for engaging a keel, extends between and is rotatably coupled to the arms adjacent to their second ends. A biasing member biases the second end of the arms upwardly above the top side of the primary support and toward a deployed position.