Pivotable Rear Platform for Personal Watercraft Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal watercrafts lack adequate storage space at the rear without compromising the functionality of the rear platform for boarding, towing, and other purposes, as existing storage solutions interfere with these uses and are not effectively sealed against water ingress.
Innovation Solution
A personal watercraft design featuring a pivotable rear platform that can be raised for access to a storage compartment and lowered to seal it, using a sealing ring and latch system to prevent water entry, allowing the platform to be used for boarding and spotting while maintaining storage functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage compartment is added at the rear portion, then storage space is improved, but the rear platform functionality for boarding and other uses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rear platform is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a lowered position (providing storage access and platform functionality) and a raised position (sealing the storage compartment). This dynamic configuration enables the same structure to serve multiple functions at different times, resolving the contradiction between storage needs and platform usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear platform structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a storage compartment seal and a functional platform for boarding/spotting activities. By integrating these two previously separate functions into a single multi-functional component, the invention eliminates the need to choose between storage and platform usability.
2Reliability
If rear platform is lowered to seal storage compartment, then water ingress prevention is improved, but access to stored articles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platform's movable design allows it to switch between two states: lowered for sealing/water protection and raised for storage access. This dynamic behavior enables the system to provide both water sealing reliability and storage accessibility as needed, depending on the operational state of the platform.
3Volume of stationary object
If rear portion height is increased for storage volume, then storage capacity is improved, but comfort and usability of rear platform deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing height (vertical dimension) for storage, the invention utilizes the pivotable platform mechanism that creates horizontal/angular separation between the storage compartment and the platform surface. This allows storage volume to be accommodated without compromising the ergonomic height and comfort of the platform for user activities.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal watercraft is disclosed, having a straddle-type seat disposed on a deck. The seat has a seat profile. A storage compartment is disposed rearwardly of the seat. A rear platform is pivotally connected to a rear portion of the watercraft. The rear portion has a raised portion protruding therefrom. The raised portion of the rear portion forms at least in part the storage compartment. The rear platform permits access to the storage compartment when in a raised position, and sealingly closes the storage compartment when in a lowered position. A highest point of the rear platform is disposed lower than the seat profile when the rear platform is in the lowered position.