Foldable Seat Back for Water Sports Board

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water sports boards lack a functional seat back that can be easily collapsed to allow full operational use when not needed, compromising user comfort and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A foldable seat back system integrated into the board, featuring a base, back plate, and bracket with pivot pins and notches, allowing the back plate to be positioned in various angles and collapsed states, and adjustable pedals for user comfort and operational flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed seat back is installed on the water sports board, then user comfort is improved, but the board loses operational functionality when the seat is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidboard functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seat back is designed with a foldable structure that can transition between an extended comfortable position and a collapsed operational position. The bracket assembly with pivot pins and positioning notches enables the seat back to be dynamically adjusted between multiple states, allowing the board to adapt between comfort mode and full operational mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seat back is divided into separable components including the back plate, base, and bracket assembly. This segmentation allows the seat back to be folded into a compact state by collapsing the bracket assembly, enabling the board to maintain full functionality when the seat is not needed while still providing comfort when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a foldable seat back is added to the water sports board, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat functionalityVSAvoidseat structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly is designed to nest compactly when the seat back is collapsed. The support bar and linking bar can be folded into a compact configuration that fits within or near the base structure, minimizing the overall footprint and reducing visual complexity while maintaining the foldable functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot pins and positioning notches create a simple mechanical linkage system that provides stable positioning in both extended and collapsed states without requiring complex locking mechanisms or additional actuators. The dynamic structure achieves adaptability through straightforward hinge joints and geometric constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the seat back is made rigid for stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of collapse deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat stabilityVSAvoidcollapse operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly uses hinge joints and linking bars that provide structural rigidity when the seat back is in the extended position, ensuring stability during use. When collapse is needed, the same hinge joints allow smooth folding motion, and the positioning notches provide automatic mechanical locking without requiring forceful manipulation or complex locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket assembly is designed with asymmetric geometry where the support bar and linking bar are configured to provide structural strength in the extended state while naturally facilitating collapse in the reverse direction. The positioning notches are strategically placed to provide stability when engaged but allow easy disengagement for collapsing the seat back.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Enables users to rest comfortably with the seat back while maintaining full functional use of the board by collapsing the seat back into the board surface, ensuring seamless transition between resting and operational modes.

Implementation Method 1

The back plate is pivoted on the base, allowing the back plate to be positioned in at least one folded up state and a folded down state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

the other end releasably engaged in the positioning groove of the base to sustain the back plate in the folded up state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3527479B1Water sports board with foldable seat back
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 AGIT GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS LLC
  • EP3527479B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3527479B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3527479B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A foldable seat back for a water sports board includes a base, a back plate and a bracket. The base defines a positioning groove therein. The back plate is pivoted on the base, allowing the back plate to be positioned in at least one folded up state and a folded down state. The bracket has one end pivoted on a rear side of the back plate, and the other end releasably engaged in the positioning groove of the base to sustain the back plate in the folded up state.