Polymer Foam Finger Surfboard for Buoyancy and Surface Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy surfboards lack key characteristics such as buoyancy, fluid responsiveness, and use of form-retaining and surface-safe materials, leading to unrealistic performance and a higher likelihood of damaging nearby objects during play.
Innovation Solution
A finger-operated surfboard made of polymer foam material with a longitudinal curvature and fixed fins, designed for fluid interaction to generate lift and simulate surfing motions, featuring a seamless construction and attachment mechanism for user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid materials are used for toy surfboards, then structural strength is improved, but safety and surface-compatibility deteriorate due to higher likelihood of damaging nearby objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid traditional materials to soft polymer foam material, transforming the physical properties to simultaneously achieve sufficient structural strength for toy operation and softness to prevent damage to surrounding objects during play
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polymer foam material as a composite material that combines the necessary structural properties for surfboard functionality with inherent softness and safety characteristics, creating a material that satisfies both strength and safety requirements
2Quantity of substance
If insufficient buoyancy materials are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fluid responsiveness and realistic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to specifically select polymer foam material with appropriate density and buoyancy characteristics, ensuring the toy surfboard achieves sufficient floatation and fluid responsiveness to simulate realistic surfing performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness
3Shape
If hard materials are used, then form-retention is improved, but surface-safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material hardness parameter to use soft polymer foam material that maintains adequate form-retention for surfboard shape and functionality while being sufficiently soft to prevent damage to surfaces and objects during play
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 surfboard provides a realistic surfing experience with enhanced buoyancy, fluid responsiveness, and safety, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding objects through its polymer foam construction and design features.
Implementation Method 1
The longitudinal curvature is configured to direct fluid flow along the bottom surface to generate lift during relative motion between the elongated body and a fluid
Implementation Method 2
The elongated body and the at least one fin are each made of a polymer foam material
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a finger-operated surfboard. The finger-operated surfboard includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis from a front portion to a rear portion. The elongated body includes a top surface defining a finger-engaging region and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. At least one fin is fixedly coupled with and extends outwardly from the bottom surface. An attachment aperture extends through the elongated body from the top surface to the bottom surface and is configured to removably secure an attachment member. The elongated body defines a longitudinal curvature between the front and rear portions to direct fluid flow along the bottom surface and generate lift during relative motion between the elongated body and a surrounding fluid. The elongated body and the at least one fin are each made entirely of a polymer foam material.