Rotating Sliding Boat Door Recessed Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional boat boarding systems, such as hinged and sliding doors, face challenges in maintaining design aesthetics, space efficiency, and safety, particularly in luxury vessels, due to clearance requirements and the need for stabilizing tracks which can compromise the vessel's exterior design and increase the risk of injury during rough seas.

Innovation Solution

A rotating and sliding boat boarding door system that integrates into a recess in the vessel's exterior, allowing for unobstructed ingress and egress without altering the original height, shape, or design aesthetic, using waterproof materials and actuators for smooth operation, and incorporating anti-slip features for safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hinged boat doors are used, then the door can be opened and closed, but the door requires clearance space and introduces strains on supporting structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor operationVSAvoidclearance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly is divided into multiple panels that can fold relative to each other, allowing the door to operate in a compact configuration that requires minimal clearance space while maintaining full opening functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door system transitions from a single-plane hinged operation to a multi-dimensional folding mechanism that utilizes both horizontal and vertical movement, eliminating the need for large clearance zones while preserving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If sliding doors are used, then space requirements are reduced, but stabilizing tracks are needed which compromise design aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementsVSAvoiddesign aesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing track system is extracted and integrated into the vessel's existing structural framework, making the support mechanism invisible from the exterior while maintaining the sliding door's space-efficient operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The door support function is merged with the vessel's existing structural elements such as the gunwale or deck framework, eliminating the need for separate visible tracks while preserving both aesthetics and functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If hinged doors are used, then the door can swing open, but the door may suddenly swing during rough seas causing injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor openingVSAvoidsafety during rough seas

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The door system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms including friction-based dampers and adjustable resistance elements that allow smooth operation during calm conditions while providing controlled resistance during rough seas to prevent sudden swinging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The door assembly includes feedback mechanisms such as position sensors and force sensors that detect door movement and environmental conditions, automatically adjusting the damping force to maintain safety during rough seas while preserving ease of operation during normal conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Shape

If pocket sliding doors are used, then the door can be recessed, but tracks are needed which fill with water and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecessed positionVSAvoidwater and debris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical track system is replaced with a cable-driven or rack-and-pinion mechanism that operates within sealed channels, eliminating exposed surfaces where water and debris could accumulate while maintaining the recessed door position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The door system incorporates sealed flexible channels or membranes that enclose the driving mechanism, preventing water and debris ingress while allowing the door to slide into the recessed position smoothly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11001343B2Rotating and sliding boarding door assembly systems for a vessel and a vessel having the same

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 THE HINCKLEY

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rotating and sliding boat boarding door mechanism configured to aid the vessel's occupants in their ingress and egress to and from the vessel. More particularly, the present invention provides a rotating and sliding boat boarding door assembly and system that slidingly moves into a recess in the vessel's exterior (e.g., side, transom, and/or gunwale) that has been configured to receive and maintain the boarding door assembly in a position where it is out of sight when fully recessed.