Inflatable Surfboard Tail Drive Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surfboards with jet drives are heavy, cumbersome, difficult to transport, and have inefficient central drive units that hinder fast travel and control.
Innovation Solution
A surfboard design that separates into an inflatable body component and a drive component with an electrical jet drive, where the drive component forms the tail, allowing for efficient control and easy transportation by disassembling into two parts, with a fastening mechanism for assembly and disassembly, and optionally a durable adhesive connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a solid hull surf board with jet drive is used, then propulsion performance is improved, but weight and ease of transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The surf board is divided into two separate components: an inflatable body component and a drive component. The drive component contains the electrical jet drive system, while the body component can be independently inflated and deflated for easy transport. This segmentation allows the heavy drive system to be separated from the lightweight inflatable body during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The body component transitions between inflated and deflated states to change its volume and weight characteristics. When deflated, the body component becomes compact and lightweight for transport. When inflated, it provides the necessary buoyancy and structure to support the drive component and rider, enabling the surf board to adapt its physical parameters based on operational needs.
2Device complexity
If a central drive unit is used, then structural simplicity is improved, but control efficiency and travel speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive component is extracted from the central position and relocated to the tail section of the surf board. This extraction allows the drive unit to be positioned optimally for control efficiency, where it can effectively propel the board forward without interfering with rider balance and positioning. The drive component forms or partially forms the tail, creating an asymmetric layout that improves hydrodynamic performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a central drive unit is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but travel speed deteriorates due to air intake
Solution Approach 1:
The surf board adopts an asymmetric design with the drive component positioned at the tail rather than in the center. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the drive unit is located in a region that does not interfere with air flow over the board during fast travel. The tail-positioned drive component allows air to flow smoothly over the top surface without being drawn into the propulsion system, maintaining high travel speeds.
4Strength
If the surf board is made as one piece, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surf board is segmented into two main components that can be separately transported: the inflatable body component and the drive component. The body component can be deflated to a compact size for easy storage and transport, while the rigid drive component can be separately carried. This segmentation resolves the transport difficulty without compromising structural integrity during operation, as the components are designed to connect securely when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The body component uses an inflatable structure with flexible walls that can be collapsed for transport and inflated for operation. This flexible shell design allows the body to transition between a compact deflated state for easy transport and a rigid inflated state that provides sufficient structural integrity to support the drive component and rider during use.
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 design enhances control and efficiency of the surfboard, simplifies transportation, and provides a high-performance, rugged propulsion system with reduced noise and vibration, while maintaining mechanical strength and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical drive advantageously comprises a jet drive
Implementation Method 2
The jet drive is particularly rugged, because a propeller is disposed so as to be protected in a channel
Data Source
AI summary
A surf board which may be broken into two parts, into an inflatable body component and a drive component, wherein the drive component has an electrical drive and forms, or at least partially forms, a tail of the surf board. The surf board can be controlled particularly well by the formation of the drive component as the tail, and it has a higher degree of efficiency. Furthermore it is simple and manageable to transport if the air is let out of the body component.