Hinged Swim Fin Assembly for Thrust and Drag Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fin devices do not effectively enhance propulsion during swimming while minimizing drag, as they either fail to engage the water efficiently on the downstroke or do not retract to reduce resistance on the upstroke.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve worn around the lower leg with hingedly coupled fins that deploy to engage water on the downstroke, increasing thrust, and retract on the upstroke to minimize drag, utilizing a mechanism of complementary fasteners and pivotally engaged connection points to control fin position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fins are kept deployed continuously, then thrust is maximized on downstroke, but drag increases on upstroke
Solution Approach 1:
The fin device transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one, where fins can change their position between deployed and retracted states based on the stroke phase. The hinge mechanism enables the fins to rotate and adapt their orientation, allowing them to be deployed during the downstroke for maximum thrust and retracted during the upstroke to minimize drag, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous thrust generation and drag reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin device employs periodic action by alternating between deployed and retracted positions synchronized with the swimming stroke cycle. During the downstroke, fins are deployed to generate thrust; during the upstroke, they are retracted to reduce drag. This periodic switching of fin position optimizes the balance between thrust generation and drag reduction over time, resolving the contradiction between maximizing power and minimizing energy loss.
2Ease of manufacture
If fins are made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to stroke phases is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fin device is segmented into multiple independent fins that can move relative to each other and to the sleeve. Each fin is connected via a hinge, allowing individual movement. This segmentation enables the fins to adapt independently to different stroke phases while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and stroke phase adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin device introduces dynamic elements through hinge connections that allow the fins to rotate and change position. This dynamic capability enables the fins to adapt to different stroke phases (deployed on downstroke, retracted on upstroke) while the basic sleeve and hinge structure remains relatively simple to manufacture, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.
3Power
If multiple fins are used to increase thrust, then propulsion power increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fin device merges multiple fins into a single integrated assembly that shares common structural elements. The fins are arranged in a cluster and connected to the sleeve through shared hinge mechanisms and connection points. This merging approach allows multiple fins to work together to generate increased thrust while sharing the complexity of the mounting structure, thus resolving the contradiction between propulsion power and device complexity.
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
The fin device enhances propulsion speed by maximizing thrust on the downstroke and reducing drag on the upstroke, thereby improving swimming efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the fins frictionally engage water thereby increasing thrust generated on the downstroke
Implementation Method 2
Each of the fins is urged into a stored position on an upstroke of the lower leg during swimming to resist frictionally engaging the water thereby reducing drag on the upstroke
Data Source
AI summary
A swim fin assembly for increasing propulsion during swimming includes a sleeve that is worn around a lower leg while swimming. A plurality of fins is each hingedly coupled to the sleeve. Each of the fins is urged into a deployed position on a downstroke of the lower leg during swimming. In this way each of the fins frictionally engage water thereby increasing thrust generated on the downstroke. Each of the fins is urged into a stored position on an upstroke of the lower leg during swimming to resist frictionally engaging the water thereby reducing drag on the upstroke.