Inflatable Flex Wing Towable Aquatic Vehicle Steerability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towable aquatic vehicles have limited steerability and restricted riding positions, which hinder the user's ability to maneuver and enjoy various riding experiences.
Innovation Solution
A towable aquatic vehicle design featuring one or more elongated inflatable tubes with two pivotally secured flexible inflatable wings, allowing for steerability and enabling multiple riding positions such as sitting, kneeling, laying, standing, or rolling, through various connection mechanisms like stitching, gluing, or zippers that allow the wings to pivot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid structures are used for towable aquatic vehicles, then structural stability is maintained, but steerability and riding position versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid structures with flexible inflatable components. The inflatable wings and tubes can dynamically adapt their shape and configuration to support multiple riding positions (sitting, kneeling, lying, standing) while maintaining structural integrity through inflation pressure. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction by enabling versatility without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films through the use of inflatable wings and tubes made from flexible materials. These flexible components can be inflated to provide structural support and can be deflated or reconfigured to enable different riding positions. The flexible nature of these components allows the vehicle to adapt to various user configurations without compromising stability, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If fixed wing structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but steerability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using pivotally connected inflatable wings instead of fixed structures. The wings can rotate and pivot relative to the tube body, enabling the rider to steer the vehicle by manipulating the wings. This dynamic connection mechanism provides steerability while the inflatable nature of the components keeps the overall structure relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple riding positions are enabled through flexible structures, then versatility is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using inflatable structures where the internal pressure can be adjusted to change the stiffness and shape of the components. When inflated, the structures provide rigid support for stability; when deflated or partially deflated, they become flexible to accommodate different riding positions. This parameter change capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the same structure to provide both stability and versatility as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A towable aquatic vehicle with flexible wings is disclosed. The towable aquatic vehicle includes one or more elongated inflatable tubes and two flexible inflatable wings. The one or more elongated inflatable tubes have first and second outer sides, each defining an elongated edge of the one or more elongated inflatable tubes. A first inflatable wing is pivotally secured to the first side of the one or more elongated inflatable tubes, and a second inflatable wing is pivotally secured to the second side of the one or more elongated inflatable tubes. The first inflatable wing and the second inflatable wing are positioned opposite with respect to each other. The towable aquatic vehicle with flexible wings provides steerability to the rider/user and allows the user to ride the towable aquatic vehicle in various different riding positions.