Movable Tail Separation Edge for Inflatable Hydrofoil Floats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable hydrofoil water sports equipment, such as eFoils and wingfoils, face limitations in hydrodynamic characteristics due to design inaccuracies in rail radii, tail shape, and rocker profiles, leading to suboptimal handling and launching difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A hydrodynamic device with a movable separation edge section and adjustable stiffness, attached to the rear end of the inflatable float, enhances flow separation and adapts to water flow conditions, utilizing flexible materials and actuators for real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid tail shape is used in inflatable boards, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but hydrodynamic performance deteriorates due to inability to adapt to water flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tail section flexible and movable rather than rigid. The flexible connecting section allows the separating edge section to move and adapt to water flow conditions dynamically, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and hydrodynamic adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the tail section from rigid to flexible. By using flexible materials and allowing the tail to deform under water flow, the system achieves both manufacturability and hydrodynamic adaptability through parameter changes in material properties and structural rigidity.
2Shape
If a pronounced rocker shape is used in the tail area, then aesthetic design is improved, but launching performance deteriorates as the tip rears up and becomes difficult to get going
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tail section allows the rocker shape to be dynamic rather than fixed. During launching, the tail can flex and adapt to reduce tip rearing, making it easier to get the board moving while maintaining the desired aesthetic rocker shape during normal operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed hydrodynamic characteristics are designed into inflatable boards, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but handling performance deteriorates due to manufacturing inaccuracies and design limitations
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a flexible, movable tail section, the board transitions from fixed hydrodynamic characteristics to dynamic adaptability. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving handling performance as the tail automatically adjusts to water flow conditions and user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tail section serves itself by automatically adapting to water flow conditions without requiring active control or complex mechanisms. The passive flexibility provides self-adjusting hydrodynamic characteristics that improve handling while keeping the system simple to manufacture.
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
Improves hydrodynamic performance by optimizing water flow separation, reducing resistance, and enhancing handling stability and ease of launch.
Implementation Method 1
The movable tear-off edge section can be moved relative to the fastening section by deformation, for example elastic deformation, of the connecting section.
Implementation Method 2
at least one separating edge section that is movable relative to the mounting section and is in contact with water when the float is moved on the water surface, in order to effect improved flow separation
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydrodynamic device (100) for a float (10) of an inflatable water sports device (1) is disclosed. The hydrodynamic device (100) has a fastening section (102) for attaching the hydrodynamic device (100) to the rear end (18) of the float (10), for example, to a base (12) of the float (10). The hydrodynamic device (100) has at least one separating edge section (104) that is movable relative to the fastening section (102) and is in contact with water when the float (10) is moved on the water surface, in order to effect an improved and flexible flow separation, at least at the rear end (18) of the float (10).