Swimmer Balancer for Center of Mass and Buoyancy Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimmers face difficulties in maintaining a horizontal posture in the water due to a significant deviation between the center of buoyancy and center of mass locations, which increases water resistance and hinders efficient swimming, especially for beginners and athletes seeking to improve their performance.
Innovation Solution
A swimmer posture adjustment method using a detachable balancer, made of elastic foam, is attached to the body based on measured swimmer information, including the center of mass and buoyancy locations, to adjust the distance between these points, thereby optimizing the swimmer's posture and reducing water resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the swimmer maintains streamlined gliding state with center of mass on toe tip side, then the body posture becomes streamlined, but a rotational moment is generated causing legs to sink and horizontal posture cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight by positioning the center of buoyancy (which provides upward force) closer to the center of mass to balance the rotational moment. The swimmer adjusts body posture or uses equipment like buoyancy aids to create an opposing moment that counteracts the sinking tendency of the legs, thereby maintaining horizontal stability while preserving streamlined shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the rotational moment problem by introducing vertical positioning adjustments. By changing the vertical distribution of buoyancy and mass along the body's longitudinal axis, the swimmer can align the centers of mass and buoyancy on the same vertical line, eliminating the rotational moment and achieving stable horizontal posture without compromising streamline configuration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the center of mass and center of buoyancy locations are made close to each other on the same vertical line, then the rotational moment is eliminated and horizontal posture is maintained, but the swimmer cannot maintain streamlined gliding state with optimal speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic posture adjustment where the swimmer can flexibly modify body configuration during different phases of swimming. The streamlined position is maintained during the propulsive phase for speed, while horizontal stability is achieved through active posture control or buoyancy assistance during glide phases, allowing the swimmer to optimize both speed and stability at different moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in body parameters such as lung air volume, muscle tension, and limb positioning to dynamically adjust the relative positions of center of mass and buoyancy. By controlling these parameters, the swimmer can achieve the necessary alignment for horizontal stability while maintaining the streamlined configuration for speed during different stages of the swimming cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the degree of deviation between center of buoyancy and center of mass is varied depending on body composition, then individual swimmer characteristics are accounted for, but a complex measurement system is required to determine the optimal posture adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables swimmers to self-adjust their posture by providing them with information about their own center of mass and buoyancy locations. Using simple measurement procedures that swimmers can perform themselves or with minimal assistance, they can determine their individual characteristics and make appropriate posture adjustments without requiring complex external measurement systems or expert intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where measurement results about center of mass and buoyancy positions are used to guide posture adjustments. The swimmer receives feedback on their current posture effectiveness and can make iterative adjustments based on observed performance, allowing individual adaptation without requiring overly complex predetermined measurement systems.
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 method allows swimmers to maintain a horizontal posture more efficiently, reducing water resistance and enhancing swimming performance by adjusting the balancer's position and type according to individual swimmer data, ultimately improving swimming ability and technique.
Implementation Method 1
the buoyant force (B) and the center of buoyancy location (X2) of the swimmer in the water are obtained as swimmer information, and a buoyant and detachable balancer is attached to the body of the swimmer on the basis of the swimmer information
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a swimmer posture adjustment method, and a swimmer information measurement device used in the swimmer posture adjustment method in which the horizontal state of the body of a swimmer can be adjusted. There is provided a swimmer posture adjustment method in which the center of mass location (X1) of a swimmer, and the center of buoyancy location (X2) and buoyant force (B) of the swimmer maintaining a streamlined gliding posture in a downward-facing floating state in the water, are obtained as swimmer information, and in which, on the basis of the swimmer information, a buoyant and detachable balancer is attached to the body of the swimmer, to thereby enable the difference between the center of mass location (X1) and the center of buoyancy location (X2) to be adjusted.