Underside Mounted Anchor Winch System for Pontoon Boats
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor winch systems for pontoon and tritoon boats are exposed to the elements, prone to damage, and take up valuable deck space, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
An integrated anchor winch system that can be mounted beneath the boat within the C or Z Channel crossmembers, featuring a waterproof drum winch, support arm, end effector, and guide channel to protect components from environmental hazards and minimize deck clutter, with remote control and wireless communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the anchor winch system is mounted on the deck, then it is easily accessible, but it takes up valuable deck space and exposes components to environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the anchor winch system from the horizontal deck surface to the vertical underside of the boat, utilizing the three-dimensional space below the deck. This dimensional transition allows the system to be mounted between the C or Z Channel crossmembers of the pontoon structure, effectively removing it from the deck area while maintaining operational accessibility through remote control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the anchor winch system on top of the deck where it would be easily accessible but occupy space, the patent inverts the mounting approach by installing it on the underside of the boat. This inversion protects components from environmental exposure while saving deck space, and remote control compensates for the reduced direct accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the anchor winch system is exposed to the elements, then it is easily accessible, but components become damaged from environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a protected environment for the anchor winch components by mounting them on the underside of the boat between the C or Z Channel crossmembers. This location provides an inert or shielded atmosphere that protects sensitive electrical and mechanical components from corrosive saltwater exposure, UV radiation, and other environmental hazards, thereby improving reliability and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces remote control as an intermediary between the operator and the anchor winch system. This allows the system to be positioned in a protected location on the underside of the boat while maintaining operational accessibility. The remote control acts as a mediator that transmits commands to the winch system without requiring direct physical access to the components.
3Device complexity
If the anchor is not retained in stowed position, then the system is simpler, but the anchor may be dislodged inadvertently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an end effector that automatically engages with the anchor when it is in the stowed position, creating a self-retaining system. The end effector is positioned and configured to naturally catch and hold the anchor without requiring additional active retention mechanisms, providing passive security against inadvertent dislodgment while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor winch system includes a support arm, an end effector, a guide channel, a winch, a cable and an anchor. The anchor winch system enables a user to deploy an anchor that is stored within the C or Z channels of a pontoon or tritoon boat. The support arm is mounted along the C or Z channel and the end effector is mounted onto an end of the support arm. The end effector is a holding apparatus that retains the anchor in a stowed position when not deployed. The guide channel traverses through the support arm, and the cable is threaded through the guide channel. The winch is tethered to one end of the cable and the anchor is tethered to the opposite end. Thus, the winch is able to deploy or retract the anchor by paying out or reeling in the cable.