HYDRO-SKATE
Author
Yunhao Andrew Hua, Siyu Steven Xiao
Location
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Date
Fall 2023
Our Team.
Yunhao Andrew Hua
Siyu Steven Xiao
Safe, Portable, Entertaining
A portable underwater scooter for solo divers with a water pressure sensor that warns divers to shift speed mode to a slower status provides safer diving experiences.
Problem
Diving scooters improve underwater mobility but risk uncontrolled ascent and descent speeds, leading to barotrauma and decompression sickness.
Barotrauma
is tissue injury caused by a pressure-related change in body compartment gas volume in air-containing areas.
Decompression Sickness
is a disorder in which nitrogen dissolved in the blood and tissues by high pressure forms bubbles as pressure decreases
Current Product Study
1. To study operations, scales, sizes, weight and so on
2. Test the device, this stage proves the existence of Decompression and Barotrauma. Learning about user experiences
3. Disassemble to learn about the structure and the engineering.
Current market products lack an integrated, easy-to-use system to warn divers of speed and depth changes, necessary to prevent health risks.
Ideations
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Portability
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Lightweight
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Design Language
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Aesthetics
Explorations
Down-select into three concepts with different design languages and technical approaches, then evaluate the pros and cons...
Pros:
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Simple form
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Compact body
Cons:
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Not foldable
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Heavy
Pros:
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Enhanced entertaining experiences
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Retractable design
Cons:
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Complex structure
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Waterproof difficulties
Pros:
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Light weight
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Foldable
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Simple structure
Cons:
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Can not snorkeling
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No automatic floating
Final Concept
Integration of the three concepts. It features foldable wings and handlebars while maintaining a sporty, mechanical aesthetic to enhance user enjoyment during operation.
Hydro-Skate Is Foldable
The folding modes switching is simple through five steps. The entire system relies on two main lockers, one on each handlebar, supported by one locker on each wing. The folding or unfolding process is relatively simple and ensures the stability of both modes.
Aesthetics Serves Functions
The wings do not only serve for aesthetics, but also with functionalities.Thewingsareneededtoprovideenough
lifting force or down force to ensure the stability during operations. They also provide the functionality of auto-hold in a certain water level. The surfaces are various in directions, in order to lead the water flow to the sides, instead of floating to the user' s face, This will improve the diving experiences.
Build-in Diving Computer
The diving computer will indicate important data, such as speed, time, and water pressure through a display board on the back. An over-speed warning system is designed to notify the speed limitation during ascending and descending, avoiding from Decompression and Barotrauma. With Hydro-Skate, you can enjoy an entertaining diving experiences with reliable smart safety system.
Operation and Speed Modes
You will have multiple speed modes on the Hydro-Skate, Low-speed mode, regular speed mode, and high-speed mode. Low-speed mode and regular-speed mode are recommended during ascending and descending. While high-speed mode can maximize your joy. Modes can be switched through easy operations.
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Throttle: Click both triggers at the same time.
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UpShift Gear: Double-click the right trigger.
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Downshift Gear: Double-click the left trigger
Even though Hydro-Skate is still under prototype state, we design it with engineering considerations. Most of the electric components and mechanical components can be fitted in side of the model. The power system is controlled by one motherboard, and the Arduino board controls the safety system. We built this model with water sealing considerations. Learning from the dissemble in the early stage, all of the electric components, except the water pressure sensor which needs to be exploded in the water, are sealed by dry boxes. O-rings or sealing rings are covered on all the joints.
