The design of a kitesurf harness that decreases discomfort while increasing performance

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to enhance existing harness designs, with a focus on reducing discomfort and enhancing overall performance.
The contextual analysis, literature review, and desktop research yielded crucial insights and identified areas of improvement. Supplementary interviews were conducted with the user group. Initially, anthropometric data was sourced from existing databases like DINED; however, it lacked specificity to kitesurfing and the stances taken during kitesurfing, and some measurements relevant to the design of a kitesurf harness were missing, such as the torso length. To address this, an analysis of individual scans was done, followed by 3D scans of persons in kitesurfing stances.
It was found that the main factors leading to discomfort are the movement of the harness on the body, the pressure on the ribs, and the lack of pressure distribution. The main design goals stated are improved pressure distribution within the variation of movements and body types.
The findings of this thesis offer valuable insights into the potential for enhancing kitesurfing harnesses in terms of comfort, safety, and overall performance. By taking into account both the engineering and ergonomic aspects, this research contributes to the ongoing evolution of kitesurfing equipment, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of kitesurfers.
The final design is a modular kitesurf harness increasing the repairability, maintainability and upgradeability. The project includes anthropometric design guidelines for a kitesurf harness and multiple prototypes to test the concept. Resulting in a set of recommendations and designs that the Mystic team can take into consideration in the future steps towards developing the ultimate harness.