Vessel Expansion Deck with Triangular Braces and Electromechanical Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pontoon boats lack expandable deck space for activities like fishing or diving due to their limited width and existing auxiliary deck systems being unstable and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
An expansion deck system with a pivotally secured elongated deck body that transitions between a folded and extended position, using triangular braces and an electromechanical bracing unit to provide a stable, unobstructed deck area without increasing the vessel's width, combined with a power lifting unit for easy deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If an auxiliary deck is added to increase deck space, then the deck area is improved, but the vessel width exceeds DOT regulations and creates instability
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion deck is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between a stowed position (folded against the vessel side) and an expanded position (perpendicular to the vessel). This dynamic configuration allows the deck area to increase when needed while maintaining compliance with DOT width regulations during transport, resolving the contradiction between deck area and vessel stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding the deck horizontally (which would increase vessel width), the invention extends the deck vertically and outward from the vessel side in a perpendicular dimension. The deck body pivots from the vessel side and extends outward, creating additional deck space without increasing the overall width of the vessel beyond DOT limits.
2Strength
If diagonal bracing is used to support the expansion deck, then structural support is improved, but tripping hazards are created
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful diagonal bracing elements are completely removed from the design. Instead, the invention uses vertical support legs that extend downward from the deck body to the water or a support structure below, eliminating the need for diagonal braces that would protrude into the user's walkway and create tripping hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is mediated through vertical legs that connect the deck body to the support structure below, rather than using diagonal bracing. These vertical legs provide necessary structural support while maintaining a clear, unobstructed walkway surface, thus eliminating tripping hazards while preserving strength.
3Area of moving object
If the deck is made fixed and extended, then deck space is improved, but the vessel width exceeds DOT regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion deck is designed as a movable structure that can be positioned in two states: extended perpendicular to the vessel to provide additional deck space, or folded against the vessel side to maintain compliance with DOT width regulations during highway towing. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction between deck space and vessel width.
4Device complexity
If manual deployment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical deployment system is replaced with an electromechanical actuator that automatically positions the expansion deck between extended and folded states. This substitution reduces the physical effort required for deployment while maintaining relatively simple overall device complexity, as the actuator integrates into the existing hinge and support structures.
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 significantly increases usable deck space while ensuring user safety by eliminating tripping hazards and maintaining compliance with transportation regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The bracing unit includes a linear actuator that moves an elongated rod between an extended and retracted position
Implementation Method 2
an elongated deck body that can be pivotally secured to a vessel by a plurality of hinges
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion deck system for vessels includes an elongated deck body that is pivotally secured to a vessel by a plurality of hinges. The deck body transitions between a folded position that does not affect the overall width of the vessel, and an expanded position that extends outward from the side of the vessel. A plurality of triangular-shaped braces is removably secured to the bottom surface of the deck body. The braces including a first section that extends along an entire width of the deck body and a second section that engages a pontoon of the vessel. An electromechanical bracing unit is positioned along the bottom surface of the vessel and includes a linear actuator that moves an elongated rod between an extended and retracted position, and A power lifting unit transitions the deck body between the folded and extended positions.