Watercraft Pontoon Assembly With Vertical Battery Placement for Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional watercraft with electric propulsion systems face issues due to the weight of batteries, leading to undesirable vessel behavior such as excessive rolling and maneuverability challenges.
Innovation Solution
A pontoon assembly design with a center pontoon having a gibbous shape and vertical spacer assembly supports the battery between the deck and the center pontoon, positioning the battery lower to maintain a low center of gravity and improve ride quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If batteries are supported on the deck or within hull members, then the watercraft can accommodate the battery weight, but the vessel experiences excessive rolling and rocking
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is repositioned from horizontal placement on the deck to vertical placement between the deck and center pontoon. This dimensional change in positioning moves the heavy battery mass downward, lowering the center of gravity and improving vessel stability while accommodating the battery weight
2Weight of moving object
If batteries are supported on the deck or within hull members, then the watercraft can accommodate the battery weight, but the watercraft becomes difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The battery positioning is changed from deck-level horizontal placement to vertical placement within the pontoon structure. This repositioning optimizes the weight distribution and center of gravity, making the watercraft easier to maneuver despite the battery weight
3Ease of operation
If the center pontoon has a gibbous shape with maximum width greater than maximum height, then the battery can be positioned vertically with easy access, but the pontoon cross-section becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The center pontoon is designed with a gibbous cross-section where the maximum width exceeds the maximum height. This local geometric modification creates sufficient vertical clearance for battery placement while maintaining structural integrity and floatation capabilities
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 design reduces rocking and rolling, enhances maneuverability, and allows easy access and replacement of batteries while maintaining structural integrity and floatation.
Implementation Method 1
a center pontoon, a port pontoon and a starboard pontoon
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft includes a deck, a pontoon assembly supporting the deck, and a propulsion system supported by at least one of the pontoon assembly and the deck. The pontoon assembly includes a center, port and starboard pontoons, all of which are connected to the deck. The port pontoon is disposed to a left of the center pontoon. The starboard pontoon is disposed to a right of the center pontoon. The propulsion system includes a battery disposed vertically between a lower surface of the deck and an upper surface of the center pontoon. Also, a pontoon assembly, which is for a watercraft, includes a center pontoon, a port pontoon disposed to a left of the center pontoon, and a starboard pontoon disposed to a right of the center pontoon. A highest point of the center pontoon is vertically lower than vertical midpoints of the port and starboard pontoons.