Rotating Sail Mechanism for Multi-Mode Sailboat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sailboats have a fixed boom rod structure limiting their use to sailing only, lack a mechanism to prevent tipping, and require specialized training for operation, making them inconvenient and unsafe for various age groups.
Innovation Solution
A flyable sailboat design featuring a rotating wind resisting device on a front support, adjustable air bags for buoyancy, and a rear support buckle system, allowing the sail to be oriented vertically or horizontally, and enabling the sailboat to function as both a sailboat and a flying craft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the boom rod structure is made fixed and fastened at the center of the boat body, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability is worsened as the sailboat cannot be altered for flying craft use
Solution Approach 1:
The boom rod structure is changed from fixed to rotatable, allowing it to dynamically adjust between vertical sailing configuration and horizontal flying configuration. The rotatable connection enables the boom rod to change its spatial orientation according to different operational modes while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sailboat is designed with multi-functional capability through the rotatable boom rod that can serve both sailing and flying functions. The same structural components are utilized for both maritime and aerial operations, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and enhancing overall versatility.
2Device complexity
If no anti-turnover structure is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is worsened as the sailboat may easily turn over and the operator would fall into water
Solution Approach 1:
Air bags are installed at the top ends of lateral flaps to provide upward buoyant force that counteracts the overturning moment. These air bags act as counterweights that automatically activate when the sailboat tilts excessively, providing restorative force to return the vessel to a stable horizontal position.
3Ease of operation
If the operation mechanism is simplified for ease of use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the control precision may be worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable boom rod structure enables automatic configuration changes based on operational mode requirements. The system self-adjusts between sailing and flying configurations through the rotatable connection mechanism, reducing the need for complex manual adjustments while maintaining precise control over the sail's orientation and position.
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
Enhances operational convenience and safety by allowing the sailboat to be used in multiple modes, preventing tipping, and reducing the complexity of operation, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
Implementation Method 1
air bags at the top ends of lateral flaps at two lateral sides of the floating member can be utilized for providing buoyance so as to prevent the floating member from turning over towards any side
Data Source
AI summary
A flyable sailboat includes: a floating member, having a front support, a rear support and one or more air pumps, wherein the top end of the front support is installed with at least one rotating device; one or more rear flaps, installed at the tail end of the floating member and respectively including a horizontal flap and a rotating vertical rudder; two or more lateral flaps, respectively extended from two lateral sides of the floating member; at least one wind resisting device, installed on the rotating device and including at least one sail, at least one boom rod and at least one horizontal rod, wherein the center of the sail is installed with the boom rod having a tail rod and fastened on the rotating device; and one or more power devices, installed at the tail end or at two lateral sides of the floating member.