Flexible Skateboard Platform With Spring Return Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skateboard designs require users to lift a foot to propel themselves and lack flexibility and control, limiting their maneuverability and configurability.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece flexible skateboard platform with a pair of wheel assemblies and a multi-arm spring assembly that allows for steering rotation and energy addition to the rolling motion, enabling users to twist the platform to control movement and maintain locomotion without lifting their feet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional skateboard designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user must lift a foot to propel themselves and lacks flexibility and control
Solution Approach 1:
The skateboard platform is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to twist and flex during use. The platform includes flexible portions that enable twisting motions while maintaining structural integrity, transforming the static conventional skateboard into a dynamic system that adapts to user movements and provides continuous propulsion without requiring the user to lift their foot.
Solution Approach 2:
The skateboard platform is divided into multiple portions including front and rear sections with different flexural characteristics. The front portion has different flexural rigidity compared to the rear portion, allowing each section to contribute differently to the overall twisting and flexing behavior, enabling independent optimization of propulsion and control characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a one-piece flexible platform is used, then flexibility and control are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform's flexural rigidity is controlled by adjusting material and geometric parameters during manufacturing. By varying the thickness, material composition, and cross-sectional geometry of different portions of the platform, the desired flexural characteristics are achieved without requiring complex assembly processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the required flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform may utilize composite material structures combining different materials with complementary properties. This allows the platform to achieve the required flexibility and strength characteristics in a single-piece construction, where the composite structure provides both the needed adaptability and structural integrity without requiring complex multi-component assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wheel assemblies with steering rotation are added, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly integrates multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The wheel housing combines the bearing support, steering rotation mechanism, and wheel mounting into one unified component, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining improved maneuverability through steering capability.
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
The flexible skateboard platform enhances user control and propulsion by allowing for twisting motions that steer and propel the board, providing a more efficient and adaptable riding experience.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible skateboard is disclosed having a one piece platform formed of a material twistable along a twist axis... and a pair of caster assemblies, each having a single caster wheel mounted for rolling rotation... Each spring arm works against a stop which pivots with the wheel and a stop which does not pivot with the wheel.
Implementation Method 2
The central section of the platform material may be configured to be sufficiently narrower than the foot support areas to permit the user to add energy to the rolling rotation of the caster wheels by twisting the platform alternately in a first direction and then in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible skateboard may include a pair of direction casters mounted for steering rotation on a twistable one piece skateboard with a multi-arm spring return assembly using pivoting stops associated with the wheel fork and non-pivoting stops mounted to the skateboard. Centering spring arrangements including range or rotation limitations such as hard stops are included. One or two dual wheel assemblies may be exchanged for the single wheel assemblies for ease or riding or learning how to ride. One piece skateboard bodies are formed by rigidly connecting together multiple pieces of the same or similar plastic molded parts to form a bridge like connecting member having increased structural strength for its weight.