Compact Hiking Sled with Pivotal Brake Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sled devices are typically heavy or cumbersome, making them difficult to hike with to elevated positions.
Innovation Solution
A compact sled device with a lightweight hull, pivotally coupled brake levers, a seat, thigh bar, calf rest bar, and carrying straps, allowing for easy carrying and control during descent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional sled devices are used, then descent control on snowy terrain is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and cumbersome for hiking to elevated positions
Solution Approach 1:
The sled is divided into separate functional components: a lightweight hull for descent, carrying straps for transport, and a seat for the user. This segmentation allows the sled to be lightweight for hiking while maintaining all necessary functions for controlled descent.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake levers are pivotally coupled to the hull, allowing them to be positioned in different orientations during descent to control speed and direction. This dynamic adjustment capability enables effective descent control without adding significant weight.
2Ease of operation
If brake levers are added for descent control, then control during descent is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake function is merged with the hull structure through pivotal coupling, where the brake levers are integrated into the hull's lateral sides. This combination provides effective descent control while maintaining a simple, unified structure rather than adding separate complex braking mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If carrying straps are added for easy transport, then hiking ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying straps serve multiple functions: they enable the user to carry the sled like a backpack during hiking, and can also be used to secure the sled during descent or transport. This multi-functionality provides hiking ease without adding significant structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact hiking sled device facilitates descent on snowy terrain while being lightweight and compact to facilitate hiking to an elevated position. The device includes a hull having a front side, a pair of lateral sides, a back side, a bottom side, and an interior space. Each of a pair of brake levers is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the lateral sides. A seat is positioned within the interior space. A thigh bar extends between the lateral sides of said hull adjacent to a front of the seat. A calf rest bar is adjacent to the front side of the hull. Each of a plurality of carrying straps is attachable to the hull for carrying the hull like a backpack.