Modular Kiteboard with Interchangeable Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kiteboards are difficult to adapt to varying weather and water conditions, requiring multiple boards with different performance characteristics, leading to high storage and transportation demands.
Innovation Solution
A modular kiteboard design comprising a base and interchangeable front and back extensions with mechanical interfaces, allowing adjustment of width, length, and shape, and featuring reinforcing elements and locking mechanisms for stability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple kiteboards with different configurations are owned to compensate for varying weather and water conditions, then performance adaptability is improved, but storage space and transportation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The kiteboard is divided into modular components: a base board and interchangeable front and back extensions. Each extension can be independently attached or removed, allowing the rider to reconfigure the board for different conditions without needing multiple complete boards. This segmentation enables performance adaptability while reducing storage requirements to only the base board and a set of extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The base board is designed with universal mechanical interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of front and back extensions. A single base board can serve multiple functions by pairing with different extension combinations, effectively replacing the need for multiple specialized boards. This multi-functionality addresses both adaptability and storage space concerns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple kiteboards with different configurations are owned to compensate for varying weather and water conditions, then performance adaptability is improved, but transportation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the kiteboard into a compact base board and separate extensions, the total volume required for transportation is reduced. The extensions can be stored in a compact manner when not in use, and only the necessary components need to be transported together, significantly reducing the transportation space requirement compared to transporting multiple complete boards.
Solution Approach 2:
The front and back extensions can be nested or stored within the base board structure when not in use, or stored in a compact configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the volume occupied during transportation, allowing all necessary components to fit in a small bag or compartment, thereby reducing transportation space requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular water boards with interchangeable components are used, then adaptability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical interfaces are designed as simple, distinct segments with clear engagement features. The front and back extensions have standardized connection points that align with corresponding features on the base board, allowing for intuitive assembly without complex alignment procedures. This segmented design with clear interfaces improves ease of assembly while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical interfaces are designed to be self-aligning and self-latching, requiring minimal user intervention for assembly. The extensions automatically guide themselves into the correct position when brought near the base board, and the connection mechanisms engage automatically or with a simple motion, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures or specialized tools.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular water boards with interchangeable components are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The kiteboard is segmented into simple, standardized components with uniform mechanical interfaces. This segmentation reduces structural complexity by using repeated, simple design elements rather than complex integrated structures. Each component can be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining adaptability through component variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The base board incorporates universal mechanical interfaces that can work with multiple types of extensions, reducing the need for specialized connection structures for each configuration. This universality simplifies the overall device complexity by using a single, standardized interface design rather than multiple specialized interfaces, thereby maintaining adaptability without increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a kiteboard (1) comprising a base (2), a front extension and/or a back extension. The base comprises a top face (5) and a bottom face (6) and an outer edge face (7). The outer edge face is extending in a circumferential direction along an outer contour (8) of the top face (5) and the bottom face (6) and is comprising a first mechanical interface (9). The front extension (3) and/or the back extension (4) comprise a top face (10) and a bottom face (11) and an inner edge face (12). The inner edge face extends between the top face (10) and the bottom face (11) along an inner contour (30) and corresponds at least partially to the outer contour (8) of the base (2). The inner edge face further comprises a second mechanical interface (13), such that in an assembled position the first and the second mechanical inter-face (9, 13) are engaged with each other to position the front extension (3) and/or the back extension (4) with respect to the base (2).