Multi-Durometer Swimming Fin for Propulsion and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming fin systems for simulating a mermaid or merman experience fail to provide both comfortable and durable foot holders while replicating the fluid flow properties of a mermaid's tail, often being rigid and uncomfortable, and are cumbersome to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A swimming apparatus with a fin portion featuring radial ribs and alternating thicker and thinner sections made of materials with varying durometers, where the foot holders are reinforced with a soft durometer plastic and encased in elastic material for comfort and stability, and a tail portion that can be seamlessly integrated for aesthetic and functional enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a rigid fin structure is used to provide propulsion through water, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but comfort and fluid flow properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fin is constructed with varying durometer regions: a firmer central portion (durometer 40-60) for structural support and propulsion, and softer peripheral portions (durometer 20-40) for comfort and fluid flow. This local variation in material properties allows the fin to simultaneously provide rigid propulsion where needed and flexible comfort where contact occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin combines materials with different durometers in a single composite structure. The multi-durometer construction integrates firmer material for the propulsive central region with softer material for the peripheral contact regions, creating a unified fin that delivers both propulsion efficiency and comfort.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid fin structure is used to maintain fin shape, then structural stability is improved, but fluid flow properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the fin have different durometer values to balance structural stability and fluid flow. The central portion maintains a higher durometer (40-60) for structural stability, while peripheral portions have lower durometer (20-40) to enable fluid flow and graceful movement through water.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin utilizes changes in the durometer parameter across its structure. By varying the durometer from firm in the center to soft at the periphery, the fin achieves both structural stability for maintaining shape and fluid flow properties for graceful movement through water.
3Ease of operation
If soft foot holders are used to provide comfort, then comfort is improved, but durability and retention stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The foot holder region incorporates a softer durometer material (20-40) directly contacting the user's foot for comfort, while the central fin structure maintains a firmer durometer (40-60) for durability and retention stability. This local differentiation allows the foot contact area to be comfortable while the overall structure remains durable.
4Power
If multiple layers are used to provide both rigidity and flow properties, then functional performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fin is constructed as a single composite piece with varying durometer regions rather than multiple separate layers. This multi-durometer composite construction integrates both rigid and flexible properties within one material structure, simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need to assemble multiple layers while maintaining both propulsion and flow properties.
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 provides a comfortable, durable, and efficient swimming experience with enhanced propulsion and fluid flow properties, allowing users to replicate the mermaid or merman fantasy while being easily manufacturable and customizable.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of thin portions, each thin portion extending between each two adjacent spaced-apart ribs of the plurality of ribs, each thin portion having a durometer less than a durometer of each rib
Implementation Method 2
each foot holder adapted to receive and retain a foot of a user; a tail portion that can be seamlessly integrated for aesthetic and functional enhancement
Data Source
AI summary
A flowing fin assembly for swimmers is provided. The flow assembly is adapted to provide excellent comfort, good propulsion properties and also has a gentle flowing appearance that is similar to the flow properties of a Betta fish as swimmer traverses through the water.