Folding Breaststroke Float with Overlapping Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breaststroke floats with foam structures are bulky and inefficient in terms of storage and transportation, leading to increased space and cost requirements due to their inability to be compressed.
Innovation Solution
A folding inflation-free breaststroke float design featuring a U-shaped main body with connecting parts that can be turned and overlapped, utilizing a detachable connecting piece, and equipped with a supporting pad, back sheets, shoulder straps, buckles, and a detachable headrest, allowing for compact stacking and reduced space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foam structure breaststroke floats are used, then safety and reliability are improved, but storage space and transportation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The breaststroke float is divided into multiple detachable segments including headrest, back sheets, shoulder straps, and main body sections. These segments can be separated for compact storage while maintaining structural integrity when assembled, resolving the contradiction between safety (integrity) and storage space (compactness).
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows smaller components to be nested within larger ones during storage - the headrest fits within the main body, back sheets are stored within the structure, and connecting parts are integrated into the overall form. This nesting approach minimizes storage volume while preserving the complete functional structure when deployed.
2Reliability
If foam structure breaststroke floats are used, then safety and reliability are improved, but transportation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the float into detachable parts, the product occupies less transportation space, allowing more units per shipment and reducing transportation cost per unit while maintaining the safety integrity of each complete assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The float transitions from a static bulky foam structure to a dynamic reconfigurable system that can be assembled and disassembled. This dynamic capability optimizes transportation efficiency while preserving safety performance during use.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional breaststroke floats are designed as single integrated structure, then manufacturing is simplified, but storage and transportation efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The float is divided into modular segments (headrest, back sheets, shoulder straps, main body) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation reduces storage volume while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting parts serve multiple functions: they join segments during assembly, enable disassembly for storage, and maintain structural integrity during use. This multi-functionality addresses both manufacturing simplicity and storage efficiency requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding inflation-free breaststroke float comprises a U-shaped main body and a supporting pad arranged in the main body. The supporting pad is arranged around an inner ring of the main body; the main body is also provided with back sheets, shoulder straps, buckles and a crotch; the main body is combined by at least two connecting parts; the joined connecting parts can be turned or disassembled and then overlapped; and a detachable connecting piece is arranged between the joined connecting parts. Compared with the prior art, by turning a first connecting part and second connecting parts, the first connecting part and the second connecting parts are overlapped, thereby reducing the overall volume during transportation and reducing transportation cost.