Detachable Motorized Hydrofoil for Multi-Board Water Sports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water sports equipment with hydrofoils is inflexible and costly due to the added weight of the hydrofoil, motor, and batteries, limiting its use and increasing acquisition costs, especially when used with different types of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A hydrofoil device with a longitudinally extended signal cable guide and a detachable design, allowing easy attachment to various watercraft, featuring a wireless control system and a compact, integrated accumulator, and a foldable wing for enhanced flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a hydrofoil system with motor and batteries is permanently integrated to a water sports device, then the device achieves high speed capability, but the overall weight increases significantly and the equipment becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoil system is divided into separate components: the hydrofoil device with motor can be detached from the water sports device (such as surfboard). This allows the heavy motorized components to be separated from the lightweight board, enabling users to have a light board for storage and transport while adding the hydrofoil system only when high-speed capability is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static permanent integration to a dynamic configurable setup where the hydrofoil device can be attached or removed based on usage requirements. This dynamic approach allows users to optimize between weight and speed capability depending on whether the hydrofoil is currently mounted on the board.
2Speed
If a hydrofoil system is permanently integrated to a water sports device, then the device achieves high speed capability, but the acquisition cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoil device is designed as a universal accessory that can be attached to multiple different water sports devices (various surfboards, paddleboards, etc.). Instead of manufacturing separate motorized systems for each board, a single hydrofoil device with motor and batteries can serve multiple boards, significantly reducing the total acquisition cost for users with multiple devices or for rental businesses.
3Reliability
If the signal cable is routed along the top of the hull, then control signals can be transmitted to the electric drive, but the cable obstructs the user while operating the device
Solution Approach 1:
The signal cable routing is moved from the horizontal plane (top of the hull where it would obstruct the user) to the vertical/underwater plane (along the underside of the hull). This dimensional change allows the cable to remain functional for signal transmission while being positioned where it does not interfere with the user's body or movements on top of the board.
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 provides high flexibility and cost savings by allowing a single hydrofoil system to be used with multiple water sports devices, reducing manufacturing resources and environmental impact, while ensuring reliable control and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrofoil, also called a hydrofoil or foil, is attached to the underside of a watercraft's hull to lift the craft out of the water as speed increases
Implementation Method 2
an electric drive, wherein the at least one accumulator is electrically connected to the electric drive and supplies the electric drive with electrical energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydrofoil device (3) and a water sports device (2). The hydrofoil device (3) comprises at least one wing (6, 7), a support (4), an electric drive (8), and at least one accumulator (9). A head end (5) of the support (4) is designed to be fixed to an underside (14) of a hull (10) of the water sports device (2). An elongated signal cable guide (20) extends from a rear end (21), which is arranged on the support (4), to a front end (22), which comprises a receiving device (23). The receiving device (23) is designed to receive control signals. The signal cable guide (20) encloses a signal cable (24), which transmits the control signals from the receiving device (23) to the electric drive (8). The signal cable guide (20) is further designed to encompass a leading edge (16) of the fuselage.