Progressive Resistance Elastic Tie for Swimming Harness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic ties used in applications like swimming harnesses have uniform stretch resistance, which is inadequate for accommodating varying user needs, such as age, swimming level, or physical strength, as they either restrict movement or fail to maintain the swimmer in the central pool area effectively.
Innovation Solution
An elastic tie composed of multiple strands with progressive resistance to stretching, where each strand is stretched sequentially based on the applied tensile force, providing exponentially variable resistance, allowing for adjustable tension and maintaining the swimmer in the central pool area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uniform stretch resistance elastic strands are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot accommodate varying user needs for different ages, swimming levels, or physical strengths
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic link is segmented into multiple elastic strands (at least two) with different elongation capacities. Each strand is attached to the same two points but has progressively different stretch characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to various user needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different elastic strands are assigned different local qualities (elongation capacities) to match varying user requirements. Younger or weaker swimmers experience lower resistance from strands with greater elongation capacity, while stronger swimmers engage strands with lower elongation capacity, providing localized adaptation without redesigning the entire device.
2Force
If elastic straps with low elastic elongation capacity (high resistance to stretching) are used, then the swimmer can be maintained at a good level in the central part of the pool, but young or beginner swimmers cannot move forward and do not experience normal swimming sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the resistance force based on the swimmer's strength and technique. Weaker swimmers naturally engage the more compliant elastic strands that offer lower resistance, allowing them to move forward freely. Stronger swimmers generate enough force to engage the stiffer strands with higher resistance, maintaining their position in the pool center.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic strands are designed with progressively different elongation capacities, creating a range of resistance parameters. This allows the system to automatically adjust the effective resistance parameter based on the swimmer's applied force, ensuring both beginner and advanced swimmers experience appropriate resistance levels.
3Ease of operation
If elastic straps with greater degree of stretch (low resistance to elongation) are used, then young or beginner swimmers can move forward freely, but the swimmer cannot be maintained at a good level in the central part of the pool
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented elastic strand design ensures that while some strands provide high compliance for beginner swimmers, other strands with lower compliance are also present. As stronger swimmers apply more force, they progressively engage the stiffer strands, ensuring adequate resistance to maintain position in the pool center.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elastic strands with different elongation capacities are used to accommodate different swimmers, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases requiring a set of several straps
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple elastic strands with different elongation capacities are merged into a single integrated elastic link structure. All strands are attached to the same two points on the harness, creating a unified device that provides adaptive resistance without requiring multiple separate straps or complex selection mechanisms.
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 elastic tie with progressive resistance effectively acts as a shock absorber, allowing the swimmer to remain in the central pool area by gradually opposing movement, providing flexibility and maintaining position regardless of the force applied, thus enhancing user experience and usability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic link with a capacity of progressive exponential resistance to elongation, as a function of the tensile force applied to the latter
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
According to the invention, the elastic link for adjusting the distance between two members, at least one of which is mobile, is characterised in that it comprises at least two elastic yarns (1, 2) each attached through one of the opposite ends thereof to two points (6-7; 6-8; 6-9; 6-10) distant from each other of an intermediate portion (5a) of a strap (5) located between the extreme portions (5b, 5c) of the latter, under conditions such that when a tensile force is applied on said strap, the first elastic yarn (1) is stretched first, the second elastic yarn being then stretched based on the magnitude of the applied tensile force.