Hoverboard Unibody Nozzle Design for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-powered personal propulsion devices are heavy, lack quick disconnect systems, and require hand control nozzles, which are not ideal for stability and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, injection-molded plastic board with built-in pivotable nozzles and curtain nozzles for stability, quick disconnect boots and hose, and an electronic glove controller for throttle control, along with a unibody construction and optional barefoot binding for improved safety and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional water-powered propulsion devices are used, then propulsion function is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the water diverter, nozzles, and board into a unified unibody construction made from injection molded plastic. The diverter and nozzles are not separate components but are molded as integral parts of the board structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware and reducing overall device complexity and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The unibody construction serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the board structure for standing, contains the water diverter mechanism, houses the nozzles, and provides flotation through integrated foam. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing weight and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metal Y-shaped diverter with ball bearings is used, then hose pivoting is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic for the diverter components. The injection molded plastic diverter achieves the necessary pivoting functionality through its molded geometry and flexible hose connection, eliminating the need for metal ball bearings while maintaining adaptability and reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive injection molded plastic components instead of expensive metal parts. The plastic diverter and nozzle assembly can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, providing a cost-effective solution that maintains functionality without the weight and cost of metal construction.
3Ease of operation
If hand control nozzles are used, then control flexibility is achieved, but stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hand-controlled nozzle from the system entirely. Control is achieved exclusively through foot pressure on the board, which actuates the diverter and nozzle mechanisms. This extraction of the hand nozzle eliminates the instability associated with handheld control while maintaining operational flexibility through foot-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The board is designed to be self-stabilizing through its fixed nozzle configuration and unibody construction. The system automatically responds to rider input through the diverter mechanism, eliminating the need for manual stabilization that hand nozzles would require. The integrated design provides inherent stability while maintaining control flexibility.
4Strength
If permanent boot mounting is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but quick release capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic boot mounting system that can transition between secured and released states. The quick disconnect mechanism allows the boot to be firmly attached during operation for secure footing, yet can be quickly released when needed. This dynamic capability provides both strength during use and ease of operation for release.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot mounting system is segmented into separable components that can be independently controlled. The quick disconnect mechanism divides the attachment system into board-mounted and boot-mounted parts that can be connected or separated, providing both secure attachment when connected and quick release when disconnected.
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 solution enhances control, reduces weight and cost, improves safety with quick release systems, and allows for more complex maneuvers like double back flips, while maintaining stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the board is lifted in the air by water powered nozzles fed by a high pressure water hose
Implementation Method 2
the nozzle receives high pressure water, nominally from a jet ski, and diverts this water to two thrust nozzles under the board
Implementation Method 3
a quick connect pivoting ball joint assembly on the bottom of the board
Implementation Method 4
This allows the hose to remain vertical as the board tilts toes down or toes up in relation to a horizontal orientation
Implementation Method 5
Curtain nozzle patterns are needed to eliminate hand control nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A forward water propelled hover board comprising a rigid board having greater length than width. The rigid board having a rear end with a high pressure water outlet nozzle and a central pipe connecting a water hose inlet, wherein the outlet nozzle when fed with a high pressure water source from the water hose inlet provides a forward thrust to the water propelled hover board.