Trolling Motor Mount Cam Mechanism Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trolling motor mounting brackets require operators to actuate a lever or mechanism to disengage locking pins for tilting and stowing, which can be inconvenient, especially in situations where quick upward tilting or stowage is necessary, such as when a watercraft enters shallow water.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a bracket and coupling hinge with male and female surface profiles forming a track, allowing the trolling motor to be moved between stowed and deployed positions without disengaging locking pins, using a lift arm and cam mechanism for smooth and convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mounting brackets use locking pins secured by levers or actuating mechanisms, then the trolling motor can be securely locked in tilt positions, but the operator must actuate the mechanism to disengage the locking pin before tilting or during tilting, which is inconvenient and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the locking pin and actuating mechanism from the mounting bracket system. Instead of using a separate locking component that requires manual disengagement, the coupling hinge itself provides continuous retention through its surface profile track, eliminating the need for locks or levers while maintaining secure positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling hinge's male and female surface profiles automatically engage and disengage based on the relative movement between the bracket and hinge. The track geometry itself provides the locking and unlocking function without requiring external actuation - the system serves its own locking function through its structural design.
2Reliability
If conventional mounting brackets require actuating a lever or mechanism to disengage locking pins, then the motor can be securely held, but the operator cannot quickly tilt or stow the motor when entering shallow water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking pin mechanism entirely from the system. The coupling hinge uses its surface profile track to provide continuous secure holding without any discrete locking components, enabling immediate tilting or stowing by simply moving the hinge along the track.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling hinge transitions from a static locked position to dynamic movement along the surface profile track. The male and female profiles are designed to maintain engagement during motion, allowing the hinge to dynamically adjust position while remaining securely connected, enabling rapid response to changing water conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mounting brackets use pivot pins allowing swiveling between stowed and deployed positions, then the motor can be positioned flexibly, but the operator must continuously actuate the mechanism to disengage the locking pin during swiveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the locking pin and actuating mechanism from the pivot assembly. The coupling hinge's surface profile track inherently provides the positioning flexibility without requiring separate locking components, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling hinge performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides pivot movement, maintains secure connection, enables positioning flexibility, and eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms. The surface profile track serves as both the connection interface and the positioning guide, consolidating multiple functions into a single component.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mounting a trolling motor to a watercraft includes a bracket, a coupling hinge, a lift arm, a cam mechanism, a collet, a resistance knob, a first bias spring and a second bias spring. The bracket is adapted to mount on a transom or a gunnel of the watercraft. The coupling hinge receives a shaft of the trolling motor therethrough and retains the trolling motor via the collet and resistance knob mounted thereon. The collet and knob can be selectively tightened or loosened about the shaft of the trolling motor. The bracket defines detents and an arcuate track in which a track follower portion of the coupling hinge can move. The movement of the coupling hinge along the bracket tilts the trolling motor between a stowed position and a deployed position. The lift arm is pivotally coupled to the coupling hinge and carries a locking pin. The lift arm is biased by the first bias spring such that the locking pin engages the detents. The cam mechanism is pivotally coupled to the bracket and is biased by the second bias spring to disengage the locking pin from a lower portion of the detents.