Inflatable Flotation Mechanism for Uprighting and Locating Kite Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Kite boarders face difficulties in locating and uprighting their boards after separation, especially in challenging water conditions like sun glare or choppy waters, and there is a need for a method to move the board downwind towards the rider.
Innovation Solution
A flotation mechanism with sufficient buoyancy and vertical profile is secured to the water sports board, which can be activated to upright the board and catch wind, moving it downwind, using inflatable or buoyant materials and a tension release mechanism triggered by an ankle leash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the kite board becomes separated from the rider, then the rider can continue riding with the kite, but the board stops quickly and becomes difficult to locate
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation mechanism incorporates high-visibility features including bright coloring and reflective elements that change or enhance visibility in water conditions. The floatation mechanism includes a visible marker or flag that protrudes above water level, making the board easily locatable by the rider despite water glare or choppy conditions.
2Reliability
If the kite board inverts in the water, then the board is harder to locate, but the rider needs to retrieve it
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation mechanism is pre-attached to the kite board before use. When the board inverts, the flotation mechanism automatically surfaces and becomes visible, preliminarily positioning the board for easy retrieval by the rider without requiring the rider to search extensively.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a flotation mechanism is added to the board, then the board can be uprighted and located, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides buoyancy to upright the inverted board, acts as a visible marker for location, and can be integrated with the board's existing structure through a simple attachment system that does not require complex modifications.
4Speed
If the flotation mechanism has sufficient vertical profile to catch wind, then the board can move downwind, but the mechanism size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation mechanism includes a flexible or deployable component that can adjust its vertical profile based on wind conditions. When wind is present, the mechanism deploys to catch wind and propel the board downwind; when calm, it maintains a compact profile to minimize drag and volume.
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 effectively uprights and makes the board visible to the rider, allowing for easier retrieval and ensuring the board moves downwind, addressing the separation and visibility issues in water sports.
Implementation Method 1
a flotation mechanism that has sufficient buoyancy to upright the water sports board when it has overturned in the water
Implementation Method 2
entraps wind to induce the flotation mechanism and the uprighted water sports board to move downwind
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a novel method and a novel inflatable flotation device for the method which are used in association with water sports boards such as kite boards, surfboards and the like, for the purpose of uprighting the water sports boards when inverted and encouraging the water sports boards to be moved by the wind in the direction of a water sports board rider when the rider becomes separated from the water sports board.