Underwater Dolphin Kick Platform With Hand-Pocket Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimmers find it difficult to learn and train the underwater dolphin kick due to its complexity and the lack of effective feedback while training underwater, which is essential for muscle memory development and technique improvement.
Innovation Solution
A swim training device with a platform and hands pocket that holds the user's hands in a extended configuration, resisting longitudinal and lateral movement, providing feedback through resistance to forces applied in both directions underwater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional kickboards are used for training, then swimmers can practice kicking techniques, but they cannot receive feedback while training underwater which is essential for muscle memory development
Solution Approach 1:
The training device incorporates a feedback mechanism where the platform provides tactile resistance and positional feedback to the swimmer's hands. The hands pocket structure gives the swimmer information about hand placement and movement through contact forces, enabling muscle memory development while underwater without needing visual or electronic feedback systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the swimmer's own body and the water environment to provide feedback. The platform's resistance to hand movements and the buoyant forces acting on the hands create natural feedback loops that help the swimmer self-correct technique without external intervention or additional sensing systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hands pocket is designed to firmly hold the user's hands in place, then correct technique is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hands pocket is formed using flexible materials that conform to the shape of the hands while providing necessary constraints. The flexible nature of the pocket structure allows it to adapt to hand movements and provide stable positioning without requiring rigid mechanical components or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hands pocket design changes the physical parameters of the interface between the device and the swimmer's hands. By using flexible materials with specific compliance characteristics, the pocket provides firm holding power while maintaining simplicity in structure, avoiding the need for mechanical fasteners, springs, or adjustable elements.
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 the learning and training of the underwater dolphin kick by maintaining correct technique, building muscle memory, strength, and speed, even as fatigue sets in, by offering resistance to forces applied in both directions.
Implementation Method 1
a chamber therein constructed to be filled with air, water, or a combination of air and water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A swim training device includes: (a) a platform having a top side and a bottom side, and extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge and extending laterally from a left side to a right side; and (b) a hands pocket located on the top side of the platform and including a hands entry opening facing toward the trailing edge of the platform, wherein: (i) the hands pocket is constructed to receive a user's hands through the hands entry opening so that the user's hands are located in the hands pocket in a generally extended configuration; (ii) the hands pocket is constructed to hold the user's hands in place in the generally extended configuration against the top side of the platform; and (iii) the hands pocket is constructed to resist longitudinal and lateral movement of the user's hands relative to the platform when the user's hands are located within the hands pocket.