Adjustable Swimming Ankle Support for Reduced Water Drag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming devices fail to securely fix a swimmer's ankle and foot in an optimal position, leading to increased resistance and load on the legs, thereby hindering swimming speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A swimming device with a supporting base and fixing surfaces that allow ankles to be positioned in alignment with the body's centerline, featuring adjustable slots and screws to secure the device, made of lightweight materials like foamed plastic, and optionally incorporating weights for varying water conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the swimmer's foot is allowed to take a perpendicular position relative to the leg (natural physiological position), then the swimmer can maintain natural body mechanics, but additional resistance to movement in water is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-positions the foot and ankle in the correct streamlined orientation before swimming begins. The supporting base and fixing surfaces are designed to automatically guide the foot into the downstream-aligned position, eliminating the need for continuous conscious adjustment by the swimmer and preventing the foot from returning to the perpendicular position that creates drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The swimming device acts as an intermediary between the swimmer's leg and the water environment. It provides the mechanical interface that translates the swimmer's natural movements into the correct foot orientation, mediating the interaction between body mechanics and hydrodynamic requirements.
2Productivity
If existing swimming devices are used to enhance buoyancy and speed, then swimming performance is improved, but the devices cannot securely fix the ankle and foot in optimal position
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: the supporting base for buoyancy, the fixing surfaces for securing the ankle, and the slot mechanism for adjustable positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to achieve both secure fixation and improved swimming performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable elements such as the slot with screw mechanism that allow dynamic adaptation to different swimmer sizes and preferences. The adjustable width of the slot enables the device to securely fit various ankle sizes, ensuring reliable fixation while maintaining the ability to adjust for optimal positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the foot is oriented perpendicular to the leg (natural position), then physiological comfort is maintained, but resistance in water increases and swimming effort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the orientation parameter of the foot from perpendicular to parallel with the body's centerline. This parameter change is achieved through the mechanical guidance provided by the supporting base and fixing surfaces, which physically constrain the foot to the downstream-aligned position, thereby reducing drag and energy loss.
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 device reduces water friction by maintaining the ankle and foot in a favorable position, enhancing swimming speed and reducing leg load, suitable for both trained and untrained athletes in various water environments.
Implementation Method 1
a supporting base 1, for example, made of a foamed plastic... Two supporting surfaces 2 and 3 extend from a supporting base 1
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to devices for facilitating swimming. The proposed swimming device comprises a supporting base 1 having a first supporting surface 2, a second supporting surface 3, and at least one fixing surface 4, wherein each of the supporting surfaces is configured for placing a human ankle on it in such a way that the swimming device forms a single line with a centerline of a human body. The technical result is reduction in a friction force in water due to ability of a user to hold his/her ankle and foot in a correct position.