Solar-Powered Floating Apparatus for Safe Water Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine activities, such as snorkeling, are not safe or environmentally friendly due to the need for boats, which can scare away marine life and pollute the environment, and do not provide a secure floating experience for non-swimmers.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional power floating apparatus with a floating device, handrail, driving device, controlling device, and solar power system that allows users to float and navigate on water safely without pollution, featuring a U-shaped design with a protective space, solar panels, motors, propellers, and a GPS-controlled navigation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional boats are used for marine activities, then transportation to water locations is enabled, but pollution and disturbance to marine life occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful boat engine and replaces it with a solar-powered floating device. The floating device removes the pollution source (engine) while maintaining the essential function of water access through solar-powered propulsion and electric pumps, thereby eliminating exhaust and oil pollution while reducing noise disturbance to marine life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical boat engine with a solar-powered system. Solar panels convert light energy to electrical energy, which powers electric motors and pumps, substituting the combustion engine mechanism with an electromechanical system that produces no pollution and minimal noise, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of water access and environmental harm.
2Reliability
If life vests are used for floating, then buoyancy is provided, but no secure resting place is available for non-swimmers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the floating function with a structured platform that provides both buoyancy and a secure resting area. The floating device combines life-vest-level buoyancy with a deck-like surface and handrails, creating an integrated structure that simultaneously provides safety for non-swimmers and a stable platform for activities, without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating device serves multiple functions: it provides buoyancy like a life vest, offers a stable platform for standing and sitting, includes handrails for support, and incorporates solar panels for power generation. This multi-functionality addresses the need for security while performing various water activities, reducing the need for separate equipment.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are added to the floating device, then electric power is generated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels serve dual purposes: generating electric power for the propulsion system and charging the battery for auxiliary functions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing both energy generation and energy storage capabilities within the same component, optimizing the power system without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
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 users to enjoy water activities in a safe and pollution-free manner, providing navigation and protection for non-swimmers while minimizing environmental impact by eliminating the need for boats and using solar power.
Implementation Method 1
at least a solar panel provided on the floating device and electrically connected to the battery set to convert light into electric power
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional floating apparatus, which is able to float on water, includes a floating device, a handrail, a driving device, a controlling device, and a battery set. The floating device has an exterior edge and an interior edge, wherein the exterior edge is longer than the interior edge, and the floating device has an inner side at the interior edge. The handrail is connected to the inner side of the floating device, wherein the handrail has at least a holding portion for a user to hold the handrail. The driving device is provided on the floating device to drive the floating device to sail on water. The controlling device is electrically connected to the driving device to control the controlling device. The battery set is disposed to the floating device to supply the driving device with electric power.