Segmented Footrests for Vertical Maneuver Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personal watercraft (PWC) footwells do not provide adequate support for operators performing advanced maneuvers, such as keeping the PWC vertically oriented, leading to discomfort and difficulty in maintaining new rider positions.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a personal watercraft with enhanced footrests featuring a pair of footrests with angled standing surfaces extending forward of the tunnel, positioned between the pedestal and gunnel, providing improved support and stability for operators during vertical maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional footwells are used in PWC, then the structure is simple and compact, but the operator cannot achieve adequate support for advanced maneuvers such as vertical positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest system is divided into multiple segments: a base portion that attaches to the footwell, and one or more extender portions that extend forward from the base. This segmentation allows the footrest to provide extended forward support while maintaining a compact configuration when not in use, resolving the contradiction between operational support and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The footrest includes movable extender portions that can be adjusted or extended as needed. This dynamic capability allows the footrest structure to adapt between a compact state for storage and an extended state for maneuver support, balancing structural simplicity with operational versatility.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the footrest extends forward of the tunnel, then the operator can maintain vertical PWC position for extended periods, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is segmented into a base portion and extender portions, where the extender portions can be selectively deployed forward of the tunnel when vertical positioning is needed. This segmentation allows the structure to remain relatively simple while providing extended functionality when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The footrest structure is pre-configured with extender portions that can be quickly deployed forward of the tunnel when the operator needs to maintain a vertical position. This preliminary configuration allows rapid transition from a compact state to an extended support state without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional footwells are used, then the PWC structure remains compact, but new rider positions and tricks cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest system uses segmented extender portions that can be positioned at different angles and configurations, allowing operators to achieve various rider positions and tricks. The segmentation provides versatility while keeping each individual component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The footrest extender portions can be adjusted in multiple dimensions - extending forward, angling upward, and positioning laterally - to create diverse rider positions. This multi-dimensional adjustability provides versatility without requiring a completely complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal watercraft has a hull and a deck. The hull defines at least in part a tunnel. A ride plate is connected to the hull and defines a bottom wall of the tunnel. The personal watercraft also has a motor, a jet propulsion system disposed at least in part in the tunnel, and a steering assembly. The deck has a pedestal, left and right gunnels, left and right foot-wells disposed laterally between the pedestal and their respective gunnel, and a rear platform. A straddle seat is disposed on the pedestal. Left and right footrests have left and right standing surfaces facing substantially forward and extending at least partially forward of the tunnel. The left footrest extends laterally between the pedestal and the left gunnel. The right footrest extends laterally between the pedestal and the right gunnel.