Reversible Canopy System with Jointed Support Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional life rafts face challenges in providing effective protection from environmental elements such as sun and rain, and maintaining structural integrity and passenger compartment functionality regardless of deployment orientation, which can lead to increased complexity, weight, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A reversible canopy system with jointed canopy support arms that rotate to form an arched structure over the life raft base, generating opposing return forces to stabilize the canopy and create passenger compartments on either side, allowing the canopy to extend across the base and function as a protective covering regardless of orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional life rafts use fixed canopy structures to protect passengers from environmental elements, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy support arms are designed as dynamic, movable structures that can rotate between a stowed position (proximate the base) and a deployed position (orthogonal over the side). This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to provide protection when needed while reducing complexity and weight when the canopy is not in use, eliminating the need for multiple fixed canopy structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible canopy system with rotatable support arms serves multiple functions: it provides environmental protection when deployed, reduces structural complexity when stowed, and can be configured for different deployment orientations (first side or second side obstructed). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the canopy structure adaptable rather than fixed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional life rafts design canopy structures to maintain functionality in all deployment orientations, then adaptability is improved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support arms with rotational capability enable the canopy to adapt to different deployment orientations dynamically. When the life raft is deployed with either the first or second side obstructed, the support arms can rotate to the appropriate position to form the arched structure, providing adaptability without requiring duplicate canopy structures for each orientation, thus reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing fixed canopy structures for each possible orientation, the invention inverts the approach by using a single reversible canopy system that rotates to the needed orientation. The support arms can rotate to position the canopy over the first side or second side as needed, achieving versatility with reduced weight.
3Reliability
If conventional life rafts use heavy-duty fixed canopy structures to ensure structural integrity, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic support arms are designed to provide structural integrity when deployed (forming the arched structure with opposing return forces) while remaining lightweight when stowed. The arms can be made of lighter materials since they only need to bear load when in the deployed position, not continuously, thus reducing weight while maintaining reliability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The opposing return forces generated by the first and second canopy support arms create a balanced, stable arched structure that distributes loads effectively. This counterbalancing mechanism provides structural integrity and stability without requiring excessively heavy individual components, as the forces work together to support the canopy.
4Weight of stationary object
If conventional life rafts simplify canopy design to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but protection effectiveness and structural integrity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The lightweight movable support arms are designed to rotate into position and form a stable arched structure when deployed, providing adequate protection from environmental elements. The dynamic configuration allows the structure to be lightweight (not continuously bearing load) while still providing effective protection when in the deployed position, resolving the contradiction between weight and protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The opposing return forces on the support arms create a balanced arched structure that provides structural integrity and effective protection. This counterbalancing design allows the use of lighter materials and thinner sections compared to fixed structures, reducing weight while maintaining sufficient protection effectiveness during operation.
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 reversible canopy system provides effective protection from environmental elements, reduces complexity and weight, and maintains structural integrity by stabilizing the arched structure with opposing return forces, enabling efficient passenger compartment functionality across different orientations.
Implementation Method 1
In various embodiments, in response to the rotating from an initial positon proximate the base to an upright position, a first return force is generated to return the first canopy support arm to the initial position and a second return force is generated to return the second canopy support arm to the initial positon. In various embodiments, the first return force is between 5 and 20 lbs, wherein the second return force is between 5 and 20 lbs, and wherein an opposition between the first return force and the second return force stabilizes the arch structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A life raft may include a base having a first side and a second side. The life raft may also include a first canopy support arm coupled proximate the base, a second canopy support arm coupled proximate the base, and a canopy coupled to the base. At least one of the first canopy support arm or the second canopy support arm may comprise a joint.