Motorized Snowboard Binding Heel Anchor Pivoting Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Current snowboard bindings are not efficiently designed for easy boot insertion and removal, lacking a convenient mechanism to transition between locking and release positions.

Innovation Solution

A snowboard binding with a heel anchor that has two operative positions, a locking and a release position, is achieved through a U-shaped cable system and a motorized control unit that allows for wireless operation, enabling easy boot attachment and detachment by pivoting the heel anchor using a remote control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional binding mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but boot insertion and removal are difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot insertion and removal easeVSAvoidbinding mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heel anchor is designed to pivot between a locking position and a release position, transforming a static binding mechanism into a dynamic one. This allows the binding to transition between securelocked and easily removable states, directly addressing the contradiction between secure retention and easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of the heel anchor with a motorized control system that receives wireless signals. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually pivot the heel anchor, making boot attachment and detachment even easier while maintaining secure locking through automated mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a motorized control system is added, then boot attachment and detachment become easier, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot attachment and detachment easeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of the heel anchor with a motorized control system that receives wireless signals. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually pivot the heel anchor, making boot attachment and detachment even easier while maintaining secure locking through automated mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A cable connects the motorized control system to the heel anchor, serving as an intermediary that transmits mechanical motion from the motor to the pivot point. This cable mechanism allows the motorized system to control the heel anchor's position without direct mechanical connection, simplifying the overall control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the heel anchor is locked in position, then boot security is improved, but boot removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot securityVSAvoidboot removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heel anchor is designed to pivot between a locking position and a release position, transforming a static binding mechanism into a dynamic one. This allows the binding to transition between securelocked and easily removable states, directly addressing the contradiction between secure retention and easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system receives wireless signals that provide feedback about the desired state (lock or release) and automatically adjusts the heel anchor position accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the binding responds reliably to user commands, maintaining security when locked and enabling easy removal when released.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8684394B2Remotely controlled snow board binding

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 SMITH MITCHELL S

AI summary

A snow board comprises an elongate board and at least one binding mounted transverse the longitudinal axis of the board. The binding includes an anchor pivotally mounted on the binding. The anchor moves between two operative positions to lock, and then release, the heel of a boot in the binding. A motor assembly increases and decreases the tension in a cable to move the anchor between the two operative positions. The motor assembly is remotely controlled.