Trolling Motor Linkage With Gas Spring Deployment Assistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trolling motor systems face difficulties in user-assisted deployment due to the weight of the motor housing and shaft, making it challenging to move the motor from a stowed to a deployed position.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical assistance system is provided, utilizing a bidirectional biasing structure with gas springs and linkages that pivotably couple the trolling motor subassembly to a base, allowing for easier transition between stowed and deployed positions by applying forces to bias the linkage in both raising and lowering directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the trolling motor is designed with a heavy housing and shaft to ensure structural strength, then the motor can support the required load and durability, but it becomes difficult for users to manually move the motor from stowed to deployed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biasing elements (springs) that apply counteracting forces to the linkage system. These biasing elements store potential energy and release it during deployment, effectively counterbalancing the weight of the heavy motor housing and shaft, making the motor easier to move between stowed and deployed positions while maintaining structural integrity
2Productivity
If the motor is designed to be fully submersible in deployed position for optimal performance, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but the motor becomes heavier and more difficult to handle during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing elements are specifically configured to counteract the additional weight of the submersible motor housing during the deployment process. The linkage system with biasing elements provides mechanical assistance that offsets the gravity force acting on the heavy motor, enabling users to deploy the motor without excessive effort while ensuring the motor reaches its optimal submersible position for propulsion
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
The system reduces the user's effort required to deploy the trolling motor, providing a smoother and less strenuous operation by counteracting the weight of the motor and linkage, while also damping the movement to prevent jarring transitions.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing element coupled with the linkage so that the first biasing element is configured to apply a first force to the linkage that biases the linkage in a raising direction from the stowed position
Data Source
AI summary
A trolling motor assembly may be pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The trolling motor assembly may include a trolling motor subassembly comprising a shaft and a motor coupled thereto. The subassembly may be pivotable about a base via a linkage. The linkage may include a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm is coupled with the base, and the second end of the first arm is coupled with the shaft. A first biasing element may be coupled with the linkage so that the biasing element is configured to apply a first force to the linkage that biases the linkage in a raising direction from the stowed position in order to assist a user in deploying the trolling motor into the water.