Segmented Canoe Hull with Interlocking Joint Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing canoes with hollow, watertight hulls face challenges in storage and transportation due to their design, and the blow molding process often results in uneven material distribution and weaknesses in molded products.
Innovation Solution
A canoe design featuring two or more hull sections with a joint system that includes horizontally protruding anchoring members and corresponding grooves, and projecting members with indentations, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, optimized for blow molding to ensure strength and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the canoe is designed as a single hollow, watertight hull, then it provides good buoyancy and structural integrity, but it becomes difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The canoe hull is divided into multiple separate sections that can be stored and transported independently. Each section has connection means (protrusions and grooves) that allow them to be joined together to form a complete canoe when needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of storage and structural integrity.
2Strength
If rotation molding is used to manufacture the canoe, then strong and durable kayaks are produced, but the manufacturing process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The canoe is manufactured as separate sections using blow molding, which is faster and more cost-effective than rotation molding. The sections are then joined using connection means, achieving both manufacturing efficiency and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process changes from rotation molding to blow molding. This parameter change reduces manufacturing time and cost while the connection means compensate to maintain structural strength.
3Productivity
If blow molding is used to manufacture the canoe, then manufacturing costs are reduced and production is faster, but uneven material distribution causes weaknesses in the molded product
Solution Approach 1:
The canoe is divided into sections that are blow molded separately. The connection means (protrusions and grooves) are integrated into the mold, creating reinforced connection areas that compensate for potential material distribution weaknesses and ensure reliable joining.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection means are built into the hull sections during the blow molding process itself, rather than being added later. This preliminary integration ensures proper material distribution at critical connection points and strengthens the overall structure.
4Strength
If the joint between hull sections is made strong and reliable, then the canoe structure is reinforced, but the joining parts occupy more space when disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into protrusion and groove components that interlock. This segmented design provides strong mechanical joining while keeping each component compact for efficient storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion of one section fits into the groove of another section, creating a nested interlocking structure. This design achieves strong joining while minimizing the space required for storage when disassembled.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a canoe comprising at least two hull sections and a joint for releasable connection of the first hull section to the second hull section, wherein the joint comprises a first mating means comprising at least one protruding member and at least one corresponding groove, provided in respective one of said hull sections, wherein the joint further comprises a second mating means comprising at least one projecting member and at least one corresponding groove, provided in respective one of said hull sections, wherein said first mating means is positioned at a lower portion of the respective hull sections compared to said second mating means.