Trolling Motor Mounting Bracket Cam Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trolling motor mounting systems are prone to looseness, rattling, and are cumbersome to operate, often requiring tools and separate components like pins that can be lost or misplaced.
Innovation Solution
A trolling motor mounting apparatus featuring a mounting bracket and a locking assembly with a cam structure that allows for quick, tool-free attachment and detachment, providing a secure friction lock in all directions without the need for separate components that can be lost or misplaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If removable pins or separate connections are used for mounting, then the mounting system is easier to assemble, but it creates looseness, rattling, and components that can be lost or misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate pin and mounting structure into a single integrated mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes an integrated body with recesses that receive the shaft ends directly, eliminating the need for separate pins or connection components. This integration prevents loosening and rattling while maintaining ease of assembly, as the entire mounting assembly can be installed as one unit without risking loss or misplacement of separate fastening components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior releasable mounting systems are used, then the motor can be detached, but the systems are cumbersome to operate and require tools for installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cam mechanism with a curved cam surface that rotates within a cam follower recess. This curved geometry allows the mounting assembly to be securely locked by simple rotational motion of the cam, enabling tool-free attachment and detachment. The cam's curved profile transforms rotational movement into linear locking action, providing easy operation while maintaining secure detachable mounting.
3Ease of manufacture
If prior mounting systems with looseness are used, then assembly is simpler, but they fail to provide rigid friction lock in all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized friction lock zones at specific interfaces: the cam surface against the cam follower, and the shaft ends against the recess surfaces. These localized contact points concentrate locking forces precisely where needed, providing rigid friction lock in all directions (radial and axial) without requiring complex assembly procedures. The local quality of these contact surfaces ensures high attachment strength while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 solution enables easy and secure mounting and demounting of trolling motors, preventing looseness and rattling, and ensuring a rigid attachment without the use of removable pins or other separate components, simplifying installation and removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
providing a secure friction lock in all directions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for releasably mounting a trolling motor on a watercraft and a trolling motor assembly which includes the inventive releasable mounting apparatus. The releasable mounting apparatus comprises a mounting bracket and a locking assembly which is releasably engageable with the mounting bracket at a first location and includes a cam structure which is rotatable for locking engagement with the mounting bracket at a second location.