Watercraft Hinge Assembly With Auto-Locking Fold Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reconfigurable watercraft lack stability, reliability, and ease of use, preventing widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly for reconfigurable watercraft comprising a latch support member, striker member, pivot member, and latch member, allowing the watercraft to be configured between open and closed configurations with minimal user interaction, and featuring a latch system that automatically locks the watercraft in the desired configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If reconfigurable watercraft are designed to fold for storage and transportation, then ease of storage and transportation is improved, but stability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft is divided into multiple sections connected by hinge assemblies, allowing the hull to be folded into a compact configuration for storage and transportation while maintaining structural integrity when assembled. The segmentation enables the watercraft to transition between compact and operational states without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assemblies incorporate movable components including pivot members, latch members, and striker members that allow dynamic transition between folded and assembled configurations. The latch mechanism provides automatic locking to ensure stability during operation while permitting easy reconfiguration when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional reconfigurable watercraft are designed with simple connection mechanisms, then ease of manufacture is improved, but stability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is spring-biased to automatically engage with the striker member when the watercraft sections are brought together, providing self-locking without requiring manual intervention. This automatic engagement ensures reliable connection while simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased latch member is pre-positioned to engage with the striker member before full assembly is complete, providing progressive stabilization. The spring mechanism absorbs assembly variations and ensures positive engagement, preventing connection failures during operation.
3Ease of operation
If manual latching mechanisms are used in hinge assemblies, then ease of operation is improved, but automation level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is spring-biased to automatically engage with the striker member when the watercraft sections are brought together, providing self-locking without requiring manual intervention. This automatic engagement maintains ease of operation by simply requiring the user to bring the sections together while achieving automated securement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased latch mechanism provides tactile feedback through engagement with the striker member, confirming proper latching to the user. The mechanical feedback ensures the user knows the connection is secure without requiring visual inspection or complex controls, balancing automation with operational awareness.
4Reliability
If hinge assemblies include automatic latch mechanisms, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component from the hinge assembly, consisting of a latch member, spring, and striker member. This modular design improves reliability by isolating the latching function while managing complexity through component separation, allowing independent optimization of each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased latch member and striker member are combined to form an integrated automatic locking system within the hinge assembly. This merging of components achieves reliable automatic engagement while minimizing overall complexity by eliminating the need for separate actuating mechanisms, sensors, or control systems.
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
Enhances stability, reliability, and ease of use by enabling seamless reconfiguration of the watercraft with minimal user input, facilitating storage and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot member is arranged relative to the latch support member and the striker member such that the striker member may rotate about a pivot axis relative to the latch support member to allow the hinge assembly to be arranged in an open configuration and in a closed configuration
Implementation Method 2
The latch member is supported by the latch support member for movement along a latch axis between a retracted position and an extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly for a reconfigurable watercraft having a latch support member, a striker member, a pivot member, and a latch member. The pivot member is arranged such that the striker member may rotate about a pivot axis relative to the latch support member. The latch member is supported by the latch support member for movement along a latch axis between a retracted position and an extended position. When the hinge assembly is in the open configuration and the latch member is in the extended position, the striker member engages the latch member to inhibit movement of the hinge assembly from the open configuration to the closed configuration. When the latch member is in the retracted position, the latch member is disengaged from the striker member such that the hinge assembly may be moved between the open configuration and the closed configuration.