Hydrodynamic effect device for an inflatable hydrofoil water sports device

Abstract

Disclosed is a hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) for a flotation body ( 10 ) of an inflatable water sports device ( 1 ). The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) comprises an attachment portion ( 102 ) for attaching the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) on the rear end ( 18 ) of the flotation body ( 10 ), for example on the bottom ( 12 ) of the flotation body ( 10 ). The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) comprises at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) which is movable relative to the attachment portion ( 102 ) and which, when the flotation body ( 10 ) is moved on the water surface, is in contact with water in order to effect an improved and flexible flow separation at least on the rear end ( 18 ) of the flotation body ( 10 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) for a flotation body ( 10 ) of a water sports device, comprising
 an attachment portion ( 102 ) for attaching the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) on a rear end ( 18 ) of the flotation body ( 10 ), and   at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) which is movable relative to the attachment portion ( 102 ) and which, when the flotation body ( 10 ) is moved on a water surface, is in contact with water in order to effect an improved flow separation at least on the rear end ( 18 ) of the flotation body ( 10 ).   
     
     
         2 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) is configured such that the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) is movable and/or orientable by a flow prevailing on the flotation body ( 10 ) and/or on the attachment portion ( 102 ), wherein the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) is formed flag-like and/or in the manner of a tab. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible connecting portion ( 106 ) which connects the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) and the attachment portion ( 102 ), wherein the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) is movable relative to the attachment portion ( 102 ) by deformation of the connecting portion ( 106 ), wherein the connecting portion ( 106 ) comprises a thin-walled portion ( 108 ) or is formed as a thin-walled portion, wherein the thin-walled portion ( 108 ) is attachable to the flotation body ( 10 ) such that the thin-walled portion ( 108 ) extends a bottom surface ( 14 ) of the flotation body ( 10 ), and/or wherein the thin-walled portion ( 108 ) is attachable to the flotation body ( 10 ) such that it protrudes from a tail of the flotation body in a rearward direction of the flotation body in cantilevered manner, and/or wherein the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) and the connecting portion ( 106 ) extend away from the attachment portion ( 102 ) in cantilevered manner, and/or wherein at least the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) and the connecting portion ( 106 ) are formed in a bending-slack or form-unstable manner. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein at least the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) and the connecting portion ( 106 ), optionally also additionally the attachment portion ( 102 ), are formed from one piece, and/or wherein at least the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) and the connecting portion ( 106 ) comprise a flexible material or are made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein movability and/or a rest position or a default position and/or a rest orientation or a default orientation of the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein a stiffness of the connecting portion ( 106 ) is at least locally adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the connecting portion ( 106 ) comprises air chambers ( 112 ) which are adapted to be filled with compressed air, wherein the stiffness of the connecting portion ( 106 ) is adjustable via the air pressure in the air chambers ( 112 ), wherein the air chambers are adapted to be manually filled by an air pump or wherein further an electric pump is provided, wherein the electric pump is controlled via an automatic feedback control system. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the connecting portion ( 106 ) comprises pockets for receiving reinforcing elements ( 116 ). 
     
     
         9 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 3 , further comprising at least one actuator for actively adjusting the position or orientation of the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) relative to the attachment portion ( 102 ) or for actively adjusting a stiffness of the connecting portion. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 9 , further comprising a control unit which controls the at least one actuator based on flow information, wherein the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) comprises sensors, wherein the sensors is configured to obtain data in real time about water flow and performance of the water sports device ( 1 ), and/or wherein the control unit is configured to automatically control the at least one actuator based on information obtained with the sensors in order to adjust the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ), wherein the control unit is manually adjusted by a user via wireless communication, and/or wherein the control unit is configured to change the settings of the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) based on predefined profiles selected by a user, and/or wherein the control unit is configured to output recommendations for adjustment of the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) to a user based on the sensor data. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion ( 102 ) comprises a connecting partner ( 103 ) of a quick-change system, wherein the quick-change system is configured for a tool-free attachment of the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) on the flotation body ( 10 ) and a tool-free removal of the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) from the flotation body ( 10 ), wherein the connecting partner ( 103 ) is a partner of a latching connection, a partner of a magnetic connection, a partner of a hook and loop fastener, or a partner of a clamping connection. 
     
     
         12 . A water sports device ( 1 ) comprising:
 a flotation body ( 10 ), and   a hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 ,   wherein the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) is attached to the flotation body.   
     
     
         13 . The water sports device ( 1 ) according to  claim 12 , further comprising two or more hydrodynamic effect devices ( 100 ) which are provided next to one another along a tail of the flotation body ( 10 ), wherein optionally the individual separating edge portions ( 104 ) are designed to be individually adjustable, and/or the individual separating edge portions ( 104 ) are part of a modular system in which different separating edge modules are exchanged as required, wherein the individual modules have different shapes, sizes and materials and, alone or in combination with other modules, effect different driving characteristics. 
     
     
         14 . The water sports device ( 1 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein the flotation body ( 10 ) comprises a bottom ( 12 ) with a bottom surface ( 14 ) and a circumferential rounded edge ( 16 ), wherein the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) is provided on the rear end portion of the flotation body ( 10 ) and/or on the rear end ( 18 ) of the bottom surface ( 14 ) such that the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) extends the bottom surface ( 14 ) into the region of the rounded edge ( 16 ). 
     
     
         15 . The water sports device ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein the hydrodynamic effect device extends the bottom surface ( 14 ) into the region of the rounded edge ( 16 ) such that the distance between the rounded edge ( 16 ) and the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) increases in the rearward direction of the flotation body ( 10 ), and/or such that a space ( 120 ) is formed between the rounded edge ( 16 ) and the effect device ( 100 ). 
     
     
         16 . The water sports device ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) extends continuously from one side of the flotation body ( 10 ) to the other side of the flotation body ( 10 ), and/or wherein the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) or at least the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) is crescent-shaped and/or the hydrodynamic effect device ( 100 ) or at least the at least one separating edge portion ( 104 ) extends from bottom to top on the sides. 
     
     
         17 . The water sports device ( 1 ) according to  claim 11 , further comprising an attachment portion ( 80 ) for attaching a hydrofoil unit, wherein the hydrofoil unit can comprise a mast ( 30 ), a fuselage assembly ( 40 ), a front wing ( 50 ), a rear wing ( 60 ) and optionally a propulsion device ( 80 ), wherein the attachment portion ( 80 ) is configured for attaching the mast ( 30 ) of the hydrofoil unit.