Swim Fin Blade Flexing for Hydrodynamic Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current swim fin designs are either too rigid or too flexible, leading to inefficient hydrodynamics, with water spilling over the sides of the fin blade and generating fluid vortices that negate lift or propulsive forces, resulting in decreased swimming efficiency and increased swimmer fatigue, as they fail to optimize the angle of attack for different modes of use.
Innovation Solution
A swim fin with a relatively stiff fin blade that flexes about a hinge region, featuring a fin spine composed of articulated segments embedded in the fin rails, allowing for a variable and dynamically changed maximum angle of attack based on kicking force, optimizing hydrodynamic characteristics for both low and high thrust operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a swim fin blade is made rigid to provide high thrust during aggressive kicking, then propulsion force is improved, but the fin generates fluid vortices and turbulence that negate lift forces and decrease swimming efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The fin blade is designed with dynamic flexibility characteristics that allow it to adapt its angle of attack during the kicking cycle. The blade flexes to optimize the angle of attack based on the instantaneous kicking force, maintaining efficient hydrodynamics across varying intensity levels from relaxed to aggressive kicking.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin blade's physical parameters (flexibility, angle of attack) are optimized to change dynamically during operation. The blade's flexing characteristics are engineered to provide optimal performance across a range of kicking intensities, transforming the blade's effective properties based on the applied force.
2Loss of energy
If a swim fin blade is made flexible to provide low angle of attack for efficient low thrust operation, then energy efficiency is improved, but propulsion force is insufficient for aggressive kicking
Solution Approach 1:
The fin blade transitions from a static flexibility design to a dynamic one where the blade's effective stiffness and angle of attack adjust during the kicking cycle. This allows the same blade to provide efficient low-thrust operation during relaxed kicking and sufficient high-thrust capability during aggressive kicking.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin blade is designed to perform multiple functions across different kicking intensities. A single blade design provides both efficient low-thrust operation and adequate high-thrust capability, eliminating the need for separate fins for different swimming modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a swim fin is designed with deformable regions to permit flexing about a transverse axis, then adaptability to different kicking modes is improved, but the fin generates excessive turbulence and loses laminar flow
Solution Approach 1:
The fin blade incorporates localized flexing regions with specific geometric characteristics that control the nature and extent of deformation. These localized features are designed to permit necessary flexing for adaptability while maintaining overall blade integrity and minimizing turbulence generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin blade's flexing behavior is dynamically controlled to maintain laminar flow characteristics. The blade flexes in a controlled manner that adapts to different kicking modes while preserving smooth water flow and minimizing turbulent eddies through optimized flexing geometry.
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 swim fin provides efficient propulsion and reduced fatigue by maintaining laminar water flow and minimizing turbulence, allowing for optimal thrust conversion and improved agility, while reducing strain on the swimmer's legs and ankles during aggressive kicking.
Implementation Method 1
The fin blade may be relatively stiff and flex about a hinge region proximate the foot pocket
Implementation Method 2
For optimum propulsion, it is desired for water flow to be laminar and essentially free of excess turbulence
Implementation Method 3
The fin spine may be configured to provide a swim fin with predetermined hydrodynamic characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A swim fin may include a foot pocket configured to receive a foot of a swimmer and a fin blade extending from the foot pocket. The fin blade may be relatively stiff and flex about a hinge region proximate the foot pocket. Fin rails may extend along the lateral edges of the fin blade. The fin rails may include a fin spine comprising a plurality of fin spine segments joined in linear configuration. The swim fin may be configured to provide a swim fin with predetermined hydrodynamic characteristics. The swim fin may flex within a maximum angle of attack that may be variable and dynamically changed, within the predetermined maximum attack angle range, as a function of the kicking force generated by a swimmer during a kicking cycle.