Swimming Assistance Apparatus with Integrated Sensor and Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective solutions for measuring swimming work rate and posture information and capturing underwater images during swimming, as existing exercise recording applications and action cameras are not well-suited for this sport.
Innovation Solution
A swimming assistance apparatus featuring a body part that floats on water, a fitting hole for the user's body, and integrated sensors and an image capturing unit, allowing for measurement of swimming data and underwater image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a user attaches an action camera to their body during swimming, then they can capture first-person images, but it is difficult to capture underwater images and record swimming data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (image capturing, sensor measurement, data processing) into a single integrated swimming assistance apparatus that attaches to the user's body. This merging resolves the contradiction by providing both underwater image capture and swimming data recording through one unified device rather than separate equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The swimming assistance apparatus performs multiple functions simultaneously: capturing underwater images via the image capturing unit, measuring work rate and posture information via sensors, and providing buoyancy support. This multi-functionality addresses the contradiction by making a single device capable of both imaging and data collection that would otherwise require separate systems.
2Measurement precision
If existing exercise recording applications are used for swimming, then general exercise data can be recorded, but swimming-specific work rate and posture information cannot be accurately measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements sensors specifically positioned and configured to measure swimming-related parameters (work rate, posture) rather than general exercise metrics. The image capturing unit is specifically oriented for underwater swimming conditions, providing localized measurement precision tailored to the swimming sport context.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus measures parameters specific to swimming (underwater image capture, swimming posture angles, water-based work rate) that differ from land-based exercise parameters. This adaptation of measurement parameters to swimming-specific conditions resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and sport adaptability.
3Reliability
If a body part with a fitting hole is used to surround the user's body, then the user's body floats on water by buoyancy, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The body part is designed with a fitting hole that segments the structure into distinct functional zones: the buoyant body portion and the user interface portion through the fitting hole. This segmentation provides reliable buoyancy support while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by dividing functions into separate structural elements.
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 accurate measurement of swimming work rate and posture information while providing underwater images, enhancing user experience and data analysis for swimming exercises.
Implementation Method 1
a body part made of a material which floats on water or having a hollow tube which floats on water
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a swimming assistance apparatus with an ICT function. The swimming assistance apparatus includes: a body part made of a material which floats on water or having a hollow tube which floats on water; a fitting hole formed in the body part and defined to penetrate through the body part to surround a part of a user's body; a cut part defined on at least one side of a wall of the fitting hole; and a sensor unit for measuring at least one of the user's posture information, work rate information and bio-information, so that the user's body floats on water by buoyancy of the body part when the user swims in a state where a part of the user's body is inserted into the fitting hole.