Glideboard Core Reinforcement via Grooved Retaining Pieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding sports equipment, such as skiing and snowboarding boards, face challenges with injected cores that have lower mechanical properties compared to machined cores and cannot effectively incorporate reinforcing elements at intermediate levels due to the expansion of foam during manufacturing, which limits the board's resistance to longitudinal bending and torsion.
Innovation Solution
The integration of holding pieces with grooves that securely position longitudinal reinforcing elements within the core, allowing these elements to be embedded vertically and optimally aligned to enhance the board's mechanical properties, including resistance to crushing, bending, and torsion, by maintaining their position during the injection of the foam core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a prefabricated core is used, then the mechanical properties (resistance to bending and torsion) are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable mold insert with integrated retaining pieces that is discarded after a single use. This insert provides precise positioning for reinforcing elements during injection molding, eliminating the need for complex reusable positioning mechanisms while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining pieces are pre-formed as integral parts of the mold insert before the injection process. This preliminary structuring ensures that reinforcing elements are automatically positioned correctly during injection, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing assembly or complex positioning mechanisms.
2Strength
If reinforcing elements are added to improve mechanical properties, then the resistance to longitudinal bending and torsion is improved, but the positioning precision during foam expansion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining pieces act as intermediary structures between the mold walls and the reinforcing elements. These pieces provide physical constraints that hold reinforcing elements in precise positions during foam expansion, preventing displacement while allowing the foam to expand freely around them.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining pieces provide localized positioning constraints only at critical locations where reinforcing elements need to be held, rather than constraining the entire mold cavity. This allows precise positioning of reinforcements while maintaining flexibility in the overall molding process.
3Ease of manufacture
If horizontal reinforcing elements are used resting on edge shoulders, then the positioning is simplified, but the applicability to intermediate level reinforcements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal reinforcement placement (resting on edge shoulders) to vertical reinforcement placement (resting on retaining pieces extending from edge elements into the core). This dimensional change enables reinforcements at intermediate levels within the core volume, significantly increasing design versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining pieces serve multiple functions: they position reinforcing elements vertically at intermediate levels, provide structural support during foam expansion, and can be configured in various patterns to accommodate different reinforcement layouts. This multi-functionality replaces the limited edge-shoulder positioning system.
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
This solution enables the incorporation of localized reinforcing elements that significantly improve the board's mechanical performance by optimizing stress distribution and maintaining the position of these elements within the core during the injection process, resulting in enhanced resistance to longitudinal bending and torsional stiffness without increasing the board's weight.
Implementation Method 1
the core is formed during the molding of the board by the chemical reaction of components forming a thermosetting foam
Implementation Method 2
components are introduced into the space separating these lower and upper assemblies to form an expanding foam, which presses the lower and upper assemblies against the walls of the mold
Data Source
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AI summary
A sliding board (1) comprising: • an upper assembly (20) having at least one reinforcing layer (22); • a lower assembly (10) having at least one reinforcing layer (12) and a sliding base (11); • a core (30) made of a material injected between said lower (10) and upper (20) assemblies, and laterally bordered by edge elements (25, 26); characterized in that it comprises: • at least one retaining piece (40) extending from one of the edge elements (25) towards the interior of the core (30), said retaining piece having a groove (41) open upwards or downwards; • and a longitudinal reinforcing element (31, 32) positioned in said groove (41) and extending longitudinally into the injected core material, the portion of the longitudinal reinforcing element (31, 32) extending beyond the opening of the groove upwards or downwards, having two opposing lateral faces in contact with the injected core material.