Retractable Hydrofoil Mounting for Shallow-Water Launch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water sports devices with hydrofoil surface apparatuses require deep water for use, as they can be damaged by contact with the bottom or fold away, limiting their usability and handling reliability.
Innovation Solution
A water sports device with a holding apparatus that allows the hydrofoil surface apparatus to be manually or automatically transferred between rest, starting, and operating positions, using an energy store and drive system for simplified operation, enabling use in shallow water and reducing manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydrofoil surface apparatus is fixed in the operating position, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but the device cannot be used in shallow water and is prone to damage from underwater contact
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoil surface apparatus is made dynamically adjustable through the holding apparatus, which enables it to be positioned in different states (retracted, extended, folded) based on water depth conditions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between shallow water transport mode and deep water propulsion mode, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding apparatus is divided into multiple functional segments (first link, second link, folding mechanisms) that can independently adjust the hydrofoil surface apparatus position. This segmentation enables precise control over the hydrofoil deployment, allowing the system to optimize between protection and propulsion by adjusting individual segments based on operational conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the hydrofoil surface apparatus is retracted close to the float, then transportability is improved, but propulsion efficiency is reduced due to increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the hydrofoil surface apparatus position between retracted (for transport) and extended (for propulsion) states. The holding apparatus enables smooth transitions between these states, allowing the system to optimize transportability during movement to shore areas and maximize propulsion efficiency when sufficient water depth is reached.
3Device complexity
If manual actuation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but user effort and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding apparatus is designed to utilize the natural forces available in the water environment (water current, buoyancy, hydrodynamic forces) to assist in the actuation of the hydrofoil surface apparatus. The system can be triggered to automatically extend or retract based on operational conditions, reducing the physical effort required from the user while maintaining relatively simple mechanical components.
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 device can be used in knee-deep water near beaches, simplifying transport and operation, with reduced risk of damage and improved reliability through automated position transitions based on sensors and control units.
Implementation Method 1
the float body can be transferred in the operating position and during a forward movement on account of buoyancy which is brought about by way of the hydrofoil surface apparatus into a position which is spaced apart from the water surface
Data Source
AI summary
A holding apparatus is provided by way of which a hydrofoil surface apparatus can be retracted and extended and/or folded, out of a rest and/or starting position into its operating position and/or out of the operating position into the rest and/or starting position. Such actuation can take place manually by way of a person operating the water sports device, with the advantage of simpler transportability of the water sports device. The water sports device can already be placed in water close to the bank or beach, and can be guided or moved from there in the direction of deeper water. As soon as sufficiently deep water is reached, the hydrofoil surface apparatus can be transferred via the holding apparatus into the operating position.