Diving Flipper Web Structure Elastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diving fins require significant effort for maneuverability and backward movement in water, as they do not efficiently utilize the elastic deformation of the fin's web structure to reduce resistance and enhance propulsion.
Innovation Solution
The diving fin features inclined dorsal edges relative to the median plane, allowing for elastic deformation of the webs and fin blade, which reduces the effort required for forward and backward movement by utilizing the restoring force of the pre-tensioned webs, and includes a layered web structure with different lengths and tapering for enhanced spring effect, along with extension elements to direct water flow and reduce resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the webs are arranged with dorsal edges closer together than plantar edges, then the fin blade can deform elastically to reduce resistance, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The web structure is designed to be dynamically deformable, allowing the fin blade to flex elastically during water interaction. This dynamic deformation enables the fin to adapt its shape for reduced resistance and enhanced propulsion, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the web arrangement, specifically positioning dorsal edges closer together than plantar edges. This parameter change creates the necessary deformation characteristics that allow the fin to flex effectively during operation, improving maneuverability while maintaining structural integrity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the webs are pre-tensioned through elastic deformation, then the restoring force reduces diver effort, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The web structure is pre-configured with geometric characteristics that enable automatic pre-tensioning during normal operation. The dorsal edges positioned closer together than plantar edges create inherent pre-tension that generates restoring force, reducing diver effort without requiring complex manufacturing precision controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin structure serves itself by utilizing the inherent elastic properties of the web arrangement to generate restoring force. The pre-tensioned webs automatically provide the mechanical advantage needed to reduce diver effort, eliminating the need for external energy input or high-precision manufacturing controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fin blade surface is curved through web deformation, then backward swimming becomes possible, but the structural rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fin blade is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to curve during operation to enable backward swimming. The web structure's elastic deformation capability permits the blade to adapt its shape for different swimming directions while maintaining sufficient rigidity for effective propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fin blade have different rigidity characteristics. The web areas are designed to be more flexible to allow curvature for backward swimming, while the blade itself maintains adequate rigidity for propulsion. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between versatility and strength.
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
This design enhances maneuverability and reduces the diver's effort for movement, enabling easier backward swimming and improved forward propulsion by leveraging the elastic deformation and spring-like action of the fin's web structure.
Implementation Method 1
the webs elastically deform towards each other when an external force is applied to the fin part in the plantar direction, at least in sections in the direction of the median plane of the diving fin
Implementation Method 2
the bars are pre-tensioned to a certain extent and act as a relaxing mechanical spring when the leg kicks again in the direction of the stroke, whereby the resulting restoring force considerably reduces the force required by the diver to move forward
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a diving flipper (10) for propulsion in water, comprising – a shoe part (100) for receiving a foot of a user, and – a flipper part (200), which has two ribs (210) and a blade (220) fastened to the ribs (210), the ribs (210) being arranged on both sides of a median plane (M) of the diving flipper (10) and each have dorsal and plantar edges (250, 251) in the transverse direction of the ribs (210) and distal and proximal ends (260, 261) in the longitudinal direction of the ribs (210), and – fastening devices (300) for fastening the ribs (210) to the shoe part (100), the dorsal edge (250) of at least one rib (210) being at an angle to the median plane (M) of the diving flipper (10) such that the dorsal edges (250) have a smaller distance to one another than the plantar edges (251) of the ribs (210) to one another, wherein in the event of an external application of force onto the flipper part (200) in the plantar direction, the ribs (210) are elastically deformed relative to one another at least in sections in the direction of the median plane (M) of the diving flipper (10).