Removable Electric Training Thruster for Over-Speed Rowing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing training methods for water sports like canoeing and rowing fail to replicate competitive conditions, cause imbalances, are noisy, and inefficient, lacking a suitable device to externally thrust watercraft at racing speeds.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, hydrodynamic thruster with an electric motor and propeller, attached to the watercraft out of contact with water, allowing for over-speed training without interference, adaptable to various watercraft, and equipped with a remote control for efficient thrusting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a motorboat is used to thrust the watercraft for training, then the watercraft can achieve racing speeds, but the athlete experiences imbalances and the method does not reproduce specific paddling/rowing movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewatercraft speedVSAvoidathlete's movement quality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the thrusting function from the watercraft's propulsion system and places it in a separate, removable thruster device. This allows the watercraft to be pushed at high speeds without the athlete needing to paddle or row, eliminating the imbalances and movement quality issues while still achieving racing speeds for training purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The thruster device acts as an intermediary between the power source and the watercraft. It provides the thrusting force externally, allowing the watercraft to move at racing speeds without the athlete directly propelling it, thus solving the contradiction between achieving high speed and maintaining proper athletic form

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If gas turbines are used for external thrusting, then high speeds can be achieved, but the system becomes very noisy and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewatercraft speedVSAvoidnoise and inefficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the gas turbine system with an electric motor system. This substitution eliminates the harmful noise and inefficiency associated with gas turbines while maintaining the capability to achieve high speeds for training purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the power source parameter from combustion-based (gas turbine) to electric-based. This parameter change fundamentally alters the operational characteristics, reducing noise and improving efficiency while maintaining speed capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If a thruster is attached to the watercraft, then external thrusting is enabled, but the thruster may interfere with the athlete's training technique and increase friction losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrusting capabilityVSAvoidathlete's training technique
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thruster is designed as a separate, modular component that can be attached to and removed from the watercraft independently. This segmentation allows the thruster to provide external thrusting capability without permanently altering the watercraft or interfering with the athlete's training technique when not in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thruster is positioned above the waterline (out of contact with water) rather than being submerged. This dimensional placement eliminates friction losses between the thruster and water while still allowing it to effectively thrust the watercraft, thus maintaining training technique integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Power

If a permanent thruster installation is made on the watercraft, then thrusting functionality is improved, but the watercraft condition is affected and the device becomes harder to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrusting functionalityVSAvoidinstallation and removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The thruster system is divided into separate components (thruster unit, mounting bracket, fastening mechanism) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation enables easy installation and removal without permanent modification to the watercraft, maintaining both functionality and ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system incorporates adjustable and removable fastening mechanisms that allow the thruster to be securely attached during use and easily removed for storage or transport. This dynamic mounting approach balances thrusting functionality with ease of installation and removal

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 effective over-speed training by mimicking competitive conditions, reducing friction and noise, and ensuring precise thrusting without affecting the athlete's technique, suitable for diverse watercraft and emergencies.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrodynamic submersible leg at which end there is an electric motor with a thrusting propeller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an electric motor with a thrusting propeller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic thrust: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP4696386A1Training thruster for rowing or paddle sports
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 RODRIGUEZ RICA MANUEL ANTONIO
  • EP4696386A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4696386A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4696386A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a training thruster for rowing or paddle sports that can be used on watercraft and comprises a fastening (1), configured to be placed on an accessible surface of the watercraft, where the fastening (1) is a support (2) that can be removed from the fastening (1) and ends in a submersible hydrodynamic leg (4), at which end there is an electric motor (5) with a battery-powered thrusting propeller (4.1). The invention comprises the support (2) of a handle (2.1) connected to a bolt compatible with a hole (1.3) in the fastening (1).