Surfboard Replaceable Battery Bow Handle Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surfboards with electric drives require frequent interruption of use for battery charging, leading to undesirable waiting phases that hinder continuous sporting activities.

Innovation Solution

A surfboard with a replaceable battery housed in a pivotally mounted battery housing that can be easily inserted and removed from a recess in the surfboard, allowing for quick battery swaps without interrupting use, and an electric drive system that includes a jet propulsion mechanism for continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rechargeable battery is integrated into the surfboard for electric drive, then the surfboard can operate in calm waters without waves, but the surfboard requires frequent interruption for charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational versatilityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into a removable battery unit that can be separated from the surfboard. The battery housing with the battery can be quickly detached from the recess in the surfboard, allowing the surfer to replace a depleted battery with a charged one without interrupting the surfing activity. This segmentation enables continuous operation by decoupling the battery replacement process from the overall system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a fixed battery is used in the surfboard, then the power supply is stable, but the battery is laborious to replace and causes waiting phases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidbattery replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery housing is designed with a dynamic mounting system that transitions from a fixed state during operation to a removable state during replacement. The housing includes engagement features that securely hold the battery in place during surfing, but allow for quick release when needed. This dynamic design maintains power supply stability during use while enabling easy replacement when the battery is depleted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the battery housing is designed for secure mounting, then the battery remains stable during surfing, but the insertion and removal forces are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery mounting stabilityVSAvoidmechanical insertion force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting mechanism is segmented into separate engagement features distributed around the battery housing perimeter. Instead of relying on a single high-force connection point, multiple lower-force engagement points work together to secure the battery. This segmentation reduces the peak mechanical forces required for insertion and removal while maintaining overall mounting stability during surfing activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables continuous surfing without the need for frequent charging, as the battery can be swapped quickly, and the jet drive provides reliable propulsion in both calm and wave conditions, enhancing user experience by minimizing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

The high speed of the propeller sprays water backwards from the nozzle against the direction of travel, thereby giving the surfboard the necessary propulsion.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet propulsion: Jet

Implementation Method 2

The propeller is connected via a drive train to an electric motor, which is powered by the battery.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3978356B1Surfboard with replaceable battery and push-up mechanism
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 WBV WEISENBURGER BAUVERWALTUNG GMBH
  • EP3978356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3978356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3978356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Surfboard with an electric drive (2), and a rechargeable battery for the electric drive (2), wherein the rechargeable battery is arranged in a rechargeable battery housing (3), and a first recess (4) for the rechargeable battery housing (3) and a handle (5) on the rechargeable battery housing (3), wherein the handle (5) is designed as a bow handle, which is mounted at handle ends on opposite sides (6) of the rechargeable battery housing (3) so as to be pivotable about a respective pivot point (21), and wherein a pin (9) extends inside the first recess (4) on the recess bottom side of the pivot points (21), and a second nose (33) is formed on each handle end of the bow handle, which nose has a curved edge (34) which bears against the pin, and wherein a distance between a contact point of the curved edge (34) with the pin (9) and the pivot point (21) increases counter to the pivoting movement when the bow handle is opened.