Retractable Boat Canopy Linkage Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing canopies for vehicles and watercraft are aesthetically unpleasing, environmentally impactful, and lack adjustability and adequate protection against environmental conditions from multiple angles, while also being costly and cumbersome to install and remove.

Innovation Solution

A retractable canopy system for watercraft lifts, featuring a fixed boom, a movable boom, linkages, struts, and an actuator that allows the canopy to be extended or retracted, providing adjustable protection and minimizing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed or permanent canopy is used, then protection from environmental conditions is provided, but aesthetic appeal and environmental compatibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental conditionsVSAvoidaesthetic appeal and environmental compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed canopy into a retractable system that can dynamically adjust between deployed and retracted states. The movable boom and linkage mechanism allow the canopy to transition from a static protective structure to a dynamic system that can be positioned as needed, resolving the contradiction between providing reliable protection and maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The canopy system is segmented into multiple components including a fixed boom, movable boom, linkages, and a retractable cover. This segmentation allows the protective function to be separated from the permanent structure, enabling the cover to be deployed only when protection is needed while maintaining aesthetic appeal when retracted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a fixed canopy with adequate protection is designed, then protection against environmental conditions from multiple angles is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against environmental conditions from multiple anglesVSAvoiddevice complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by adding the dimension of temporal variability and spatial adjustability. Instead of providing protection from multiple angles simultaneously through a complex fixed structure, the retractable canopy can be positioned at different angles and locations as needed, achieving comprehensive protection through sequential positioning rather than simultaneous multi-directional coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If a removable canopy cover is used, then aesthetic appeal and environmental compatibility are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to heavy material and cumbersome manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appeal and environmental compatibilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of lifting and securing heavy canvas covers with an automated mechanical system. The actuator-driven linkage mechanism automatically deploys and secures the cover, eliminating the need for manual manipulation while maintaining the aesthetic and environmental benefits of a removable cover system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The retractable canopy system provides self-service by automatically deploying and securing the cover without requiring user intervention. The actuator and linkage mechanism work together to automatically position the movable boom and extend the cover, making the system easy to operate while maintaining aesthetic appeal when retracted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If a fixed canopy frame is designed to handle snow and wind loads, then reliability under environmental loads is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to expensive and bulky parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability under snow and wind loadsVSAvoiddevice complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by allowing the canopy structure to move and retract rather than rigidly resisting all environmental loads. The movable boom and linkage mechanism can lower the cover to a horizontal position or retract it completely, reducing the structural loads on the frame while maintaining protection when needed. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for oversized, expensive structural components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11433974B2Retractable canopy for boats

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 BASTA TECHNICAL SERVICES INC

AI summary

A retractable canopy for a watercraft lift includes an actuator operatively connected to the watercraft lift and a movable boom to rotate the movable boom relative to the watercraft lift; a linkage extends between the fixed boom and the movable boom, at least one first strut is supported by the linkage, at least one second strut is supported by a fixed boom; and at least one third strut is supported by the movable boom. The fixed boom, the movable boom, the at least one second strut, and the at least one third strut support a cover in an extended configuration above a watercraft area. The fixed boom, the movable boom, the at least one first strut, the at least one second strut, and the at least one third strut support the cover in a retracted configuration adjacent to the fixed strut.