Composite Dive Fin Assembly Flex Line Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dive fins require significant energy to displace limited amounts of water, limiting the distance and speed at which swimmers can propel themselves through the water due to their scoop-like configuration and resistance issues.

Innovation Solution

A composite dive fin assembly with a flex line forming a flex angle, featuring primary, secondary, and lateral propulsion surfaces that cooperate to displace water over corresponding edges, reducing resistive forces and increasing water displacement, including a break point for additional thrust through the flex or snap of the secondary portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional scoop-like fin configuration is used, then the fin structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but significant energy is required to displace limited amounts of water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefin structure simplicityVSAvoidenergy required to displace water

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fin is divided into multiple segments including a blade member, hydrofoil members, and tail member that can flex independently. This segmentation allows each component to optimize water displacement while reducing the energy required for the overall fin movement through coordinated flexing actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fin incorporates flexible elements that allow dynamic movement and adaptation during water displacement. The hydrofoil members and tail member can flex and rotate relative to the blade member, enabling the fin to optimize its hydrodynamic characteristics during each stroke phase and reduce energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a conventional scoop-like fin configuration is used, then the fin structure is simple, but considerable resistance is encountered when displacing water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefin configuration simplicityVSAvoidresistance to water displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fin incorporates curved and rounded geometric features including a rounded leading edge, curved trailing edge, and hydrofoil-shaped members. These curved surfaces reduce flow separation and turbulence during water displacement, thereby reducing resistance while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The fin design incorporates variable thickness and curvature parameters along its length, with the blade member being thicker near the base and thinner toward the tip. The hydrofoil members have specific curvature radii that optimize water flow characteristics, reducing resistance during displacement while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the trailing end of the fin is extended further from side to side, then more water can be displaced, but the fin becomes less maneuverable and requires more energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of water displacedVSAvoidenergy required for fin movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fin is segmented into a blade member and separate hydrofoil members that can move independently. This allows the trailing end to be extended for increased water displacement while the segmented structure reduces the energy required by allowing each segment to optimize its movement path and reduce inertial effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible hydrofoil members and tail member allow dynamic adjustment of the fin's geometry during operation. The trailing end can be extended to maximize water displacement area while the flexible segments reduce the energy required by adapting to water flow conditions and reducing inertial resistance during acceleration and deceleration phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables swimmers to move faster and farther with less energy by displacing two to five times the amount of water per stroke compared to traditional fins, while reducing resistive forces and requiring less effort.

Implementation Method 1

A flex line is disposed along the composite fin, wherein the proximal end and the distal end form a flex angle along the flex line... the secondary portion is structured to flex or snap relative to the lateral portion about the break point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9649534B2Composite dive fin assembly

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 FINQUEST

AI summary

A composite dive fin assembly for a user swimming in a body of water having primary, secondary, and lateral portions which each define corresponding oppositely disposed propulsion surfaces. The primary, secondary, and lateral portions also each having a corresponding propulsion edge. The primary, secondary, and lateral propulsion surfaces cooperatively oriented to displace an amount of water over a corresponding one of the primary, secondary, and lateral propulsion edges when the composite dive fin assembly is moved in the body of water in which the user is swimming. The primary, secondary, and lateral propulsion surfaces are cooperatively configured to displace a greater amount of water over corresponding propulsion edges relative to previously known dive fins while reducing the resistive forces while displacing water, allowing a user to swim further and/or faster with the less effort.