Modular Snowmobile Running Board With Honeycomb Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing snowmobile running boards are not easily detachable or modular, limiting their ease of installation, replacement, and customization.

Innovation Solution

A detachable running board assembly with components made of metal or composite materials, featuring a honeycomb structure for strength and drainage, and modular design allowing easy attachment and detachment to the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If running boards are made detachable and modular, then ease of installation and replacement is improved, but structural strength and stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The running board assembly is divided into multiple detachable components including the running board, support structure, and mounting bracket that can be separately installed and removed. This segmentation enables easy installation and replacement while maintaining structural integrity through proper connection interfaces between components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is configured to couple to the vehicle structure, with the support nested between the mounting bracket and the running board. This nested arrangement ensures that each component is properly positioned and secured, maintaining structural strength while allowing for easy detachment of the entire assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If running boards are made detachable and modular, then ease of customization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of customizationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The running board assembly is segmented into standardized components (mounting bracket, support, running board) that can be independently selected and configured. This modular segmentation allows customization for different vehicle types and applications without requiring complex integrated designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is designed with universal coupling capabilities to attach to different vehicle structures, and the support structure can accommodate various running board configurations. This universality enables easy customization across different vehicle platforms while using the same core components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250360877A1Extruded running board for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ARCTIC CAT INC

AI summary

A running board assembly includes a mounting bracket, a support, and a running board. The mounting bracket is configured to detachably couple to a first portion of the snowmobile. The support has a first end, a second end, and a running board interface positioned between the first end and the second end. The first end is detachably coupled to the mounting bracket. The second end is configured to detachably couple to a second portion of the snowmobile. The running board is detachably coupled to and supported by the mounting bracket and the running board interface of the support. The running board has a support surface defining a plurality of apertures forming a honey-comb shaped profile.