Inflatable Wing Rig with Tip Struts for Wind Sports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-supported wing rigs for wind-powered sports, such as foil surfing, face challenges with high weight, complex assembly, and risk of injury due to rigid structures, as well as difficulty in adjusting grip positions during varying wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hand-supported wing rig design featuring an inflatable front tube with a central strut and fixed or inflatable tip struts that provide high lateral stiffness and low vertical stiffness, allowing for twist in gusty conditions, along with winglets that enhance stability and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a complex tubular structure is used for the leading edge and boom, then the wing rig achieves structural strength and stability, but the overall weight becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid tubular structure with an inflatable front tube made of flexible material. The tube is inflated with gas or air to achieve the necessary structural strength and rigidity, while the deflated state provides compact storage and reduced weight. This flexible shell approach eliminates the need for heavy rigid tubes while maintaining structural integrity during use.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a complex tubular structure is used for the leading edge and boom, then the wing rig achieves structural stability, but assembly and disassembly become time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wing rig is divided into separable modules: the inflatable front tube, the canopy, and the tip struts. These components can be independently assembled and disassembled, with the front tube connecting to the canopy and tip struts being attachable to the canopy corners. This modular segmentation enables quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural stability when connected.
3Strength
If a rigid tubular structure is used for the leading edge and boom, then the wing rig achieves structural rigidity, but the risk of injury to the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid tubular structure is replaced with an inflatable front tube made of flexible material. When inflated, it provides the necessary structural rigidity for wing operation; when deflated or during contact, it behaves as a flexible cushion that can deform to reduce impact forces, thereby minimizing injury risk to users during falls or collisions.
4Strength
If the front tube extends all the way to the trailing edge, then the wing rig achieves lateral stiffness, but the vertical stiffness becomes too high making handling problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the wing rig. The front tube provides lateral stiffness to maintain wing shape and performance, while the tip struts are specifically designed to allow vertical flexing. This local differentiation of structural properties enables the wing to be laterally rigid for performance while vertically flexible for ease of handling and maneuverability.
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 improves handling and safety by reducing weight, simplifying assembly, and enabling easier grip adjustments, while maintaining lateral stiffness and stability, especially in strong winds and during maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable front tube (2) with a leading edge (16)
Implementation Method 2
hand-supported wing rig for wind-powered sports
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Hand-supported wing rig for wind-powered sports with a front tube (2) and fixed or inflatable tip struts (18, 20) arranged in tip areas, wherein side edges extend between the tips of the front tube and the end sections of the tip struts towards a trailing edge of a canopy (8).