Swimming Goggles with Backstroke Viewing Window and Detachable Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swimming goggles do not allow swimmers to see the end of the pool without moving their head while swimming backstroke, leading to potential injuries and inefficient swimming paths, and embedded electronic controllers are not detachable and prone to becoming obsolete with the goggles.

Innovation Solution

Designing swimming goggles with backstroke viewing windows and integrated electronic controllers that include motion sensors and flow meters, allowing for accurate speed measurement and detachable components for use with multiple goggles, along with automatic light blocking and reflection adjustments based on swimming strokes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If swimmers move their head to see the end of the pool while swimming backstroke, then they can see the pool end, but they risk head injuries and swim in inefficient zigzag paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of pool endVSAvoidhead injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The goggle is divided into multiple viewing windows: a front viewing window for forward vision and a backstroke viewing window for backward vision. This segmentation allows swimmers to see in different directions without moving their heads, eliminating the need to lift the head to see the pool end while maintaining safe head position in the water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If swimming goggles have embedded electronic controllers, then they can provide swimming analysis and feedback, but the controllers become obsolete when the goggles break or wear out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswimming analysis capabilityVSAvoidreusability of controller

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic controller is extracted from the goggle structure and made detachable. The controller can be removed from worn-out goggles and attached to new goggles, allowing the expensive electronic component to be reused multiple times while only the goggle housing needs replacement. This resolves the obsolescence problem by separating the controller's lifespan from the goggle's lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Illumination intensity

If light reflectors are fixed in position on swimming goggles, then they can reflect light for visibility, but they cannot adapt to different swimming strokes or body motions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight reflectionVSAvoidadaptability to different strokes

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light reflector is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can change its position or orientation in response to different swimming strokes and body motions, allowing it to effectively reflect light toward observers regardless of the swimmer's position or stroke type. This dynamic adjustment maintains visibility while adapting to various swimming conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 swimmers to see the pool end without head movement, reducing injury risk and improving swimming efficiency, while the detachable electronic controller extends its usability and accuracy of speed measurement.

Implementation Method 1

A flow meter is a meter that measures the velocity of fluid movement.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow meter measurement:

Implementation Method 2

using motion sensors such as accelerometers or flow meters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Implementation Method 3

Huang in Chinese patent number CN201105124 disclosed a swimming goggle that has a backstroke viewing window and a light reflector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10161953B2Flow meters attached to athletic headgear

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 SHAU DAVID

AI summary

Swimming goggles are developed to allow a swimmer to see the end of the pool without moving their head while swimming in backstroke. Using a light reflector, a swimmer can see through a backstroke viewing window, allowing them to see along the direction that they are moving when swimming backstroke. Using a motion sensor and electric control circuits, a swimming goggle can provide optimum views for the swimmer wearing the swimming goggle. Using a sound speaker, a swimming goggle can play music and provide voice reports to the swimmer. Flow meters and inclinometers can be used provide measurements with better accuracy. The electronic controller for a swimming goggle can either be embedded as part of a swimming goggle, or can be detachable to support more than one swimming goggle. Besides swimming goggles, the electronic devices also can be attached onto athletic headgears such as eye goggles, sweat bands, hats, or helmets.