Segmented Gliding Wing with Body-Driven Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gliding sports apparatuses fail to provide a genuine sensation of bird flight due to being too small, rigid, or requiring auxiliary controls, lacking sufficient lift, stability, and direct controllability, while also being cumbersome and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A gliding sports apparatus with a segmented design featuring shoulder, arm, and hand ribs that are connected to the user's upper body and limbs, allowing direct control through rotation and tilting, and composed of lightweight, flexible materials for enhanced lift and maneuverability, while being collapsible for transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the gliding sports apparatus is made large enough to generate sufficient lift, then the sensation of floating is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The wing is divided into multiple independent airfoil segments (first airfoil segment, second airfoil segment, third airfoil segment) that can be connected and disconnected. This allows the wing to be assembled into a large configuration for flight and disassembled into smaller segments for easy transport and storage, resolving the contradiction between needing large wing area for lift and requiring compactness for transportability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the gliding sports apparatus is made rigid to maintain aerodynamic shape, then stability is improved, but the ability to collapse for transport is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wing employs a dynamic design where the aerodynamic stability is maintained during flight through the rigid airfoil segments, while the connection between segments allows for dynamic assembly and disassembly. The segments can be rigidly connected during flight for stability, and easily disconnected for transport, providing both aerodynamic stability and collapsibility as needed.
3Ease of operation
If auxiliary control means (ski sticks, connecting cords) are added to control the wing, then controllability is improved, but the simplicity of bird-like control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The wing is designed to be controlled directly by the user's body movements without requiring auxiliary control devices. The user controls the wing by moving their arms and adjusting their body position, similar to how birds control their flight with their wings and body. This eliminates the need for ski sticks, connecting cords, or other complex control mechanisms, achieving both ease of operation and simplicity.
4Weight of moving object
If the gliding sports apparatus is made lightweight to enhance maneuverability, then ease of movement is improved, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil segments are constructed using composite materials that provide both lightweight properties and sufficient structural strength. This allows the wing to be light enough for easy maneuverability and portability while maintaining the structural integrity needed to generate lift and withstand aerodynamic forces during flight.
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 apparatus provides a safe, lightweight, and stable wing with sufficient lift for non-hazardous speeds, offering a true sensation of gliding like a bird, and is easily transportable due to its foldable design.
Implementation Method 1
provision is made for the user to be situated on an underlying surface... and, for example, to move forward, and said forward movement is utilized by way of the gliding sports apparatus to generate lift
Data Source
AI summary
A gliding sports apparatus, which is preferably controllable by upper body and/or arms and/or hands and/or fingers, extends from a leading edge to a trailing edge in an intended direction of overflow when it is fastened to a user. The gliding sports apparatus comprises at least two shoulder ribs which extend substantially from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and wherein each of the shoulder ribs is connectable fixedly to an upper arm of the user but is rotatable about the axis of the upper arm, two hand ribs which extend substantially from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and wherein each of the hand ribs is connectable fixedly to a hand of the user, a back airfoil which is formed between the two shoulder ribs, and two arm airfoils, which are formed in each case between a shoulder rib and a hand rib.