Retractable Prop Surfboard for Drag-Free Wave Gliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric powered surfboards with jet drives disrupt traditional surfing performance due to intake holes on the bottom surface that restrict forward movement and turning, even when the power is off, making them unsuitable for maintaining traditional surfing characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The motor and propeller are retractable, positioned past the planing water line, allowing the surfboard to glide like a traditional non-powered surfboard by retracting the motor and propeller out of the water when not in use, combined with a stacked deck shape and centralized weight distribution for improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a jet drive with intake holes is installed on the bottom surface of the surfboard, then power-assisted surfing capability is improved, but forward movement and turning performance are restricted even when power is off
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is made movable between a lowered position (for power-assisted surfing) and a raised position (for traditional surfing). The motor can be dynamically repositioned based on operational needs, allowing the surfboard to transition between powered and unpowered modes. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling both power assistance and traditional surfing performance at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly is extracted from the fixed bottom surface position and can be completely raised above the water line when not in use. This extraction removes the harmful intake holes from the water plane, eliminating their disruptive effect on the planing surface and restoring traditional surfing characteristics.
2Power
If the motor is positioned below the water line for propulsion, then thrust generation is improved, but disruption of the planing surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly transitions between a lowered operational position (below water line for thrust) and a raised storage position (above water line to eliminate disruption). This dynamic positioning allows the system to generate thrust when needed while eliminating planing surface disruption when the motor is not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly acts as an intermediary element that can be selectively positioned. When lowered, it provides thrust; when raised, it removes the source of planing disruption. The ability to reposition the motor assembly serves as the intermediary mechanism that reconciles the conflicting requirements of thrust generation and planing surface integrity.
3Strength
If the surfboard is made thick for structural support, then strength is improved, but rail sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The surfboard is segmented into different thickness zones: a thick central section (5 inches or more) for structural support and battery housing, and thin rails for sensitivity. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the thick section provides strength while the thin rails maintain responsiveness to rider input.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the surfboard have different thickness characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The central section is thick for structural support and weight housing, while the rails are thin for sensitivity. This local variation in quality (thickness) resolves the contradiction by providing both strength and sensitivity in appropriate locations.
Data Source
AI summary
This new art offers an improvement to conventional surfboards as well as any previous motorized surfboards. This application features a retractable propeller drive unit that is hoisted out of the water allowing the surfer to ride a wave without power or any dragging protrusions that detract from the surfboard's critical gliding ability when surfing waves. These Drive-N-Glide features are accomplished by having a brushless, waterproof, motor and prop drop into the water to power forward, then able to be hoisted above the planing water line by way of a waterproof servo allowing the surfboard to glide like a non-motorized one does. This application also features a retractable jet drive unit that is hoisted out of the water or dropped back in upon command. Also, there is a new stacked deck shape that allows for a five-inch plus surfboard thickness yet maintains thin rail sensitivity for turning performance plus a battery placement that levels out the weight bias caused by the aft motor placement. Also, this fine handling Drive-N-Glide surfboard can be operated by a handheld Bluetooth controlled trigger unit or the control means outlined in Derrah U.S. Pat. No. 9,718,521 B2 and Derrah U.S. Pat. No. 10,532,797 B2.