Shallow Water Boat Trailer with Hinged Tongue and Axle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat trailers are not designed for launching boats in shallow water, often require non-standard trailers, only lower the rear of the trailer, and rely on gravity for launching, limiting their functionality in modern boat launching needs.
Innovation Solution
A trailer design that allows the entire trailer to be lowered and raised by hingedly rotating the tongue and rear axle extensions using elongated levers and rods, facilitated by a hydraulic cylinder or electric trailer tongue jack, enabling the trailer to be lowered and raised in shallow water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional boat trailers are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they cannot lower the entire trailer in shallow water and are limited to specific launching conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the entire trailer structure movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The trailer incorporates hydraulic or mechanical lifting systems that enable the whole trailer to be lowered into shallow water and raised back up, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to different water depths and launching conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a trailer system that can handle multiple functions: launching boats in shallow water, launching boats in deep water, and potentially other maritime operations. The same trailer structure with adjustable lifting mechanisms serves various launching scenarios, eliminating the need for specialized trailers for different conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only the rear of the trailer is lowered using gravity, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot accommodate shallow water launching and requires the boat's gravity to complete the launch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional gravity-based mechanical system with a powered lifting system. Instead of relying solely on the boat's gravity to pull the trailer down the ramp, the system uses hydraulic cylinders or mechanical winches to actively lower and raise the entire trailer, providing controlled movement regardless of water depth or boat weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulics by incorporating hydraulic lifting mechanisms that can raise and lower the entire trailer structure. These hydraulic systems provide controlled, powered movement to overcome the limitations of gravity-dependent systems, enabling operation in shallow water and reducing dependence on the boat's weight for the launching process.
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
Enables the safe and efficient launching and loading of boats in shallow water, accommodating various watercraft types, and provides a versatile solution for launching, maintenance, and emergency response scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
facilitated by a hydraulic cylinder or electric trailer tongue jack
Implementation Method 2
hingedly rotating the tongue and rear axle extensions using elongated levers and rods
Implementation Method 3
provides a rotation of an extension about the wheel hub to the wheel using a tube surrounding a rear axle that is actuated through the use of a second elongated lever or rod
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer designed to be lowered and raised in shallow water to launch a boat or any other type of watercraft. The lowering and raising of the entire trailer is accomplished by (1) the front end of the trailer transforming the tongue and extension of tongue from a substantially straight alignment to a bent alignment by hingedly rotating the extension of tongue in relation to the tongue as facilitated through the use of a first elongated lever or rod and gravity, (2) the rear or back end of the trailer providing a rotation of an extension about the wheel hub to the wheel using a tube surrounding a rear axle that is actuated through the use of a second elongated lever or rod, and (3) all of this being accomplished at the same time from the interaction of the first elongated lever or rod and the second elongated lever or rod through a second arm located at a transitioning hub.