Cable-Actuated Longboard Brake Assembly to Prevent Wheel Bite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional longboard and skateboard braking methods, such as sliding or using feet, can result in user injury and damage to equipment, and existing mechanical brake assemblies often require modifications to the board, are difficult to install correctly, or cause "wheel bite" when turning.
Innovation Solution
A brake assembly comprising an anchor member, a brake lever member, and a pedal assembly connected via cables, allowing the brake lever to pivot between applied and unapplied positions, with a biasing member to maintain the brake pads away from the wheels until actuated, preventing wheel contact during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional braking methods (sliding or using feet) are used, then the longboard can be stopped, but user injury and damage to equipment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical brake assembly as an intermediary device between the user and the longboard wheel. The brake pad contacts the wheel through a lever mechanism actuated by a cable, providing controlled friction-based braking without requiring the user to slide or use their feet, thereby eliminating direct harmful contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual braking methods (sliding or foot-based stopping) with a mechanical brake assembly that uses a lever-cable-pad system. This mechanical substitution provides more reliable and safer braking control while eliminating the harmful effects of traditional methods
2Reliability
If mechanical brake assemblies are added to longboards, then braking capability is improved, but installation complexity and board modifications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is divided into separate modular components: a clamp assembly that attaches to the truck, a lever mechanism, a cable system, and a brake pad. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and adjusted, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining braking effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly is designed to universally attach to standard longboard trucks without requiring custom modifications to the board itself. The modular design allows the same brake assembly to be installed on various truck types, reducing installation complexity through standardization
3Productivity
If brake pads are positioned close to wheels for effective braking, then braking efficiency is improved, but wheel bite during turns occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The brake lever is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position relative to the wheel. During turns, the lever can shift to prevent contact with the wheel, while during braking it can be actuated to press the pad against the wheel surface, thus resolving the contradiction between braking efficiency and wheel bite prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical lever system provides tactile feedback to the user about the brake pad's proximity to and contact with the wheel. This feedback mechanism allows the user to sense when the brake is engaged and when the pad is close to the wheel, enabling controlled braking while avoiding excessive contact that could cause wheel bite during turns
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
Provides a safe and effective mechanical braking system that can be easily installed without modifying the longboard, preventing wheel contact during turns and allowing smooth, controlled deceleration without damaging the board or causing user injury.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member to maintain the brake pads away from the wheels until actuated
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member configured to bias the brake lever member into the unapplied position
Implementation Method 3
the brake pad is configured to contact a wheel of a longboard
Data Source
AI summary
A brake assembly for a longboard can include an anchor member coupled to a rear hanger member of a longboard, a brake lever member coupled to a brake pad, and a pedal assembly coupled to the brake lever member via at least one cable. The brake lever member can be pivotably coupled to the anchor member and movable between an applied position wherein the brake pad contacts a wheel of the longboard and an unapplied position. The pedal assembly can selectively move the brake lever between the applied position and the unapplied position when actuated by a user.