Adjustable Puck System for Splitboard Stance Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional splitboard binding systems lack adjustable three-degree freedom, particularly toe-to-heel centering and crosswise adjustment, leading to suboptimal rider balance and control due to asymmetrical board construction and limited flexibility in stance adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A puck system with paired puck assemblies that include a sliderblock and a flanged disk, allowing for independent adjustments in nose-to-tail, toe-to-heel, and binding angulation, using a recessed mounting channel and detent mechanism for precise crosswise centering and locking, enabling smooth and variable boot placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional sliderblocks are used with fixed mounting positions, then the binding system is simple to manufacture, but the rider cannot achieve precise toe-to-heel centering and crosswise adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The puck assembly is divided into separate functional components: a sliderblock for crosswise adjustment, a flanged disk for mounting, and a detent mechanism for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while providing precise adjustment capabilities through their coordinated interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliderblock is designed to be movable relative to the flanged disk, transitioning from a fixed mounting system to a dynamic, adjustable system. The detent mechanism enables the sliderblock to be positioned at various crosswise locations and locked in place, providing precise toe-to-heel centering while maintaining ease of adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed-position pucks are used, then the binding system is easy to operate, but the rider lacks flexibility in stance adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The puck assembly transitions from a static, fixed-position system to a dynamic, adjustable system. The sliderblock can be moved along the flanged disk to different crosswise positions and locked using the detent mechanism, enabling riders to adjust their stance flexibility while maintaining ease of operation through the simple slide-and-lock interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism provides automatic positioning and locking of the sliderblock at predetermined crosswise locations. This self-service feature guides the rider in achieving proper toe-to-heel centering without requiring complex alignment procedures, maintaining ease of operation while enhancing adaptability.
3Reliability
If conventional nylon sliderblocks with elasticity are used, then the binding system is forgiving and comfortable, but mechanical coupling between board and rider is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sliderblock material properties are modified by changing from conventional elastic nylon to a stiffer material such as metal or stiff composite. This parameter change increases the mechanical coupling between the board and rider, improving ride control and reliability while reducing excessive compliance that can compromise control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A puck system achieves adjustable stance in three degrees of freedom—foot placement, foot angulation, and crosswise centering—on a snow gliding board. The puck system includes pairs of puck assemblies for each rider's foot. Puck assemblies are formed from a sliderblock, a flanged disk, and fasteners for each puck. To achieve crosswise centering, the sliderblock is patterned on a top face so as to engage a detent on the underside of the flanged disk in one of many crosswise positions. In a preferred embodiment, the patterned surface includes stepwise offset circular grooves, the grooves providing rotational freedom of angulation at multiple axes of rotation according to the crosswise displacement of the sliderblock in the mounting channel, thereby realizing independent, finely granular adjustment of stance and center of balance for the first time. The system may be used with most boot binding interfaces on the market and may be adapted for either splitboards or snowboards. Also offered are alignment tools for improving and simplifying ride mode interface setup. Advantageously, the system preserves optimal torsional stiffness K, a key parameter of performance in splitboarding and snowboarding.