Swim Fin High Aspect Ratio Vanes with Pliable Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current swim fins suffer from low aspect ratio and poor angle of attack, leading to inefficient hydrodynamic performance, increased ankle stress, and manufacturing complexity, with existing solutions either being impractical or prone to snagging and abrasion in aquatic environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of swim fins featuring multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic horizontal vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiting web members, arranged in a ladder configuration, allowing for controlled rotation and reduced vortex creation, manufactured through a cost-effective overmolding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If high aspect ratio vanes are used to improve hydrodynamic efficiency, then lift to drag ratio increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion surface is divided into multiple separate vanes (typically 3-5 vanes) arranged in a ladder configuration, each vane contributing to the overall high aspect ratio effect while maintaining individual structural simplicity. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high hydrodynamic efficiency without requiring a single complex large-scale structure
Solution Approach 2:
The pliable hinge material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a rotational joint allowing vane articulation, provides structural support for the vane assembly, and functions as a rotation limiter through its inherent material properties. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall device
2Ease of operation
If pliable hinges are used to allow vane rotation, then ease of operation improves, but reliability decreases due to snagging and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is constructed from a continuous pliable material (such as rubber or flexible polymer) that forms a smooth, streamlined profile. This flexible shell design eliminates sharp edges, gaps, and protrusions that could catch on aquatic vegetation or debris, while the material's flexibility maintains rotational functionality. The smooth surface reduces abrasion from waterborne particles
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge material is shaped with continuous curved surfaces rather than sharp angles or flat edges, creating a hydrodynamic profile that allows water and debris to flow smoothly around it. This curvature prevents snagging on vegetation and reduces turbulent flow that could cause excessive wear
3Loss of energy
If rotation limiters are implemented to control angle of attack, then hydrodynamic efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pliable hinge material inherently limits rotation through its own material properties (elasticity, tensile strength, and geometric configuration) without requiring external limiting mechanisms. As the vane approaches its optimal angle of attack, the hinge material's resistance to further deformation naturally prevents excessive rotation, keeping the vane at the efficient angle range. The hinge structure itself provides the limiting function through its design
4Loss of energy
If multiple vanes are arranged in ladder configuration to increase aspect ratio, then hydrodynamic efficiency improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple vanes and their connecting hinge structures are manufactured as a single integrated component using overmolding technology. The process involves molding the rigid vane structures first, then overmolding the flexible hinge material to connect the vanes in the ladder configuration. This combining of multiple parts into one manufacturing step eliminates assembly operations, reduces labor costs, and simplifies quality control while maintaining the high aspect ratio vane arrangement
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
This design enhances hydrodynamic efficiency, reduces ankle stress, and minimizes snagging and abrasion, while maintaining a narrow mechanism width for ease of use in both water and on land, with improved thrust directionality and reduced environmental disturbance.
Implementation Method 1
pliable hinges that attach the ends of the vanes to the side beams, the hinges allowing the vanes to rotate on a lateral axis during a kick stroke and be resisted by the pliable hinges
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of flexible webs that attach the ends of the vanes to the side beams, the flexible webs allowing for limiting a maximum rotation of the vanes, and serve as winglets to cancel a significant amount of vortex creation at the vane ends
Implementation Method 3
multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic horizontal vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiters... enhances hydrodynamic efficiency... improved thrust directionality
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, devices and methods of operating multiple high aspect ratio hydrodynamic horizontal ladder oriented vanes with pliable hinges and rotation limiting flexible webs attached between flexible support beams on swim fins. The fins can have a foot pocket. A pair of parallel support beams can be secured to the foot pocket and support a plurality of hydrofoil vanes in a resisted pivotal arrangement. Pivotal rotation of the vanes can be restricted by flexible membranes, between vanes and beams, to provide an optimum angle of attack for the during swimming. The fins can have at least one pivoting vane region connected to the fin with a flexible hinge member.