Fin-Shaped Camera Housing for Low-Drag Underwater Board Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater camera mounts for watersports are bulky, difficult to mount on surfboards and paddleboards, and create drag, making it challenging to capture steady underwater video while minimizing performance impact on the board.
Innovation Solution
A fin-shaped camera housing system that is removably attached to the underside of water vehicles, featuring a waterproof camera compartment with adjustable positioning and a fin connection mechanism to minimize drag and stabilize the camera during water activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing underwater camera housings are used, then the camera can be protected from water, but the housing becomes bulky and difficult to mount on surfboards and paddleboards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera housing with a surfboard fin, combining two separate functions (camera protection and directional control) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate bulky housings and simplifies mounting, as the fin is already designed to be attached to the surfboard.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a directional control element for the surfboard, provides a mounting platform for the camera, and offers waterproof protection through its sealed construction. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity and number of separate components needed.
2Ease of operation
If existing underwater camera mounts are used, then the camera can be positioned for filming, but the mounts create drag and cannot be mounted on lighter weight boards
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the camera mount with the surfboard fin, the patent eliminates separate mounting structures that would create additional drag. The fin itself becomes the mounting platform, reducing the number of separate components and minimizing aerodynamic/hydrodynamic resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera housing is designed to fit within or attach to the fin structure, utilizing the existing streamlined shape of the fin. This local integration ensures that the camera positioning capability is achieved without adding bulky external mounts that would increase drag on the watercraft.
3Productivity
If existing underwater camera systems are used, then video can be captured, but the systems are difficult to stabilize during water activities
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is integrated with the surfboard fin, which is a stable and fixed component of the board. This integration provides a rigid mounting structure that reduces camera movement and vibration during water activities, improving stability without requiring additional stabilization equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a board mountable system for filming underwater video. The inventive board mountable system can be mounted to the underside of water vehicles for incorporating a camera for filming from an underwater perspective. The inventive board mountable system is shaped to minimize drag as a result of the mounted camera or camera system. Embodiments of the inventive system includes a fin shaped housing for holding a camera or camera system. In certain embodiments, the fin is removably attached to the water vehicle, such as a surf board, where the fin housing can be swapped with other fins being used with the water vehicle for controlling the direction of a watersports board in motion. These embodiments of the inventive system further include a connection means for connecting the fin to the underside of a water vessel.