Swimming Fin With Movable Wings For Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming devices do not effectively enhance an animal's swimming ability by minimizing resistance and maximizing momentum during both the backward and forward strokes.
Innovation Solution
A swimming device comprising fins with a plate and a strap attached to an animal's leg, featuring deployable and storable wings that extend laterally to capture water during the backward stroke and retract to reduce resistance during the forward stroke, enhancing swimming efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If wings are extended laterally to capture water during backward stroke, then swimming momentum is increased, but resistance increases during forward stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to change position dynamically. The wings are coupled to the plate via a movable connection that allows them to extend laterally during the backward stroke for propulsion, then retract toward the centerline during the forward stroke to minimize resistance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maximizing momentum and minimizing resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective surface area of the wings in contact with water is changed based on the stroke phase. During the backward stroke, the wings are positioned to maximize water capture and propulsion force. During the forward stroke, the wings are repositioned to reduce their projected area and minimize drag. This parameter change allows the system to optimize performance for each phase of the swimming cycle.
2Productivity
If wings are positioned to maximize water capture, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing mechanism is designed to be self-actuating, using the natural motion of the leg during swimming to drive the wing movement. The movable coupling allows the wings to automatically extend and retract in response to the leg's backward and forward motion, eliminating the need for external actuators, motors, or complex control systems. This self-service approach maintains high propulsion efficiency while keeping the device complexity low.
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 device increases swimming momentum during the backward stroke while minimizing resistance during the forward stroke, thereby improving the animal's overall swimming ability.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the wings captures water when the animal urges the animal's leg rearwardly in the water
Implementation Method 2
Each of the wings is positioned in the stored position having each of the wings positioned proximate the strap. Each of the wings is urged into the stored position when the animal urges the animal's leg forwardly in the water thereby reducing resistance of the wings with respect to the water
Data Source
AI summary
A swimming assembly includes a plurality of fins worn on an associated one of legs of an animal when the animal swims. Each of the fins comprises a plate that is positioned against one of the animal's legs. A strap is attached to the plate to retain the plate on the animal's leg when the animal swims. A pair of wings is provided and each of the wings is movably coupled to the plate. Each of the wings is positioned in a deployed position to capture water when the animal urges the animal's leg rearwardly in the water thereby increasing the animal's ability to swim. Each of the wings is positioned in a stored position having each of the wings is positioned proximate the strap. Each of the wings is urged into the stored position when the animal urges the animal's leg forwardly in the water.