Pivoting Snowboard Binding with Deformable Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowboard binding systems lack the ability to provide enhanced control and flexibility for riders, as they are typically rigidly mounted and do not allow for efficient weight transfer between the heel and toe edges, limiting the rider's ability to maneuver the board effectively.
Innovation Solution
A binding system with moveable components, such as pivot couplings and deformable pads, that allow the rider's foot to pivot relative to the board, enabling better weight distribution and control by moving closer to either the heel or toe edge, and incorporating deformable rails and stand-off flanges for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the binding system is rigidly mounted to the board, then the structural stability is improved, but the rider's ability to transfer weight and control the board is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system incorporates moveable components including a moveable foot-retainer that can pivot relative to the base, and deformable pads that can compress and rebound. These dynamic elements allow the binding to adapt to rider movements and facilitate weight transfer between heel and toe edges while maintaining secure foot retention. The moveable foot-retainer with pivot joints enables the foot to move closer to either edge during turns, and the deformable pads provide cushioning and return force to assist in the weight transfer process.
2Ease of operation
If the binding system uses moveable components for better control, then the rider's weight transfer capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system is divided into separate functional modules: a base mounted to the board, a moveable foot-retainer with pivot joints, and deformable pads. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a cohesive system. The foot-retainer can pivot to allow foot movement, the deformable pads can compress to cushion the foot, and the base provides stable mounting, reducing the complexity of any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding system employs deformable pads made of flexible material that can compress under the rider's foot and rebound to provide cushioning and assist in weight transfer. This flexibility allows the binding to accommodate natural foot movements and apply force smoothly during turns, improving weight transfer capability without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the binding system incorporates deformable pads and moveable rails, then the flexibility and comfort are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system uses deformable pads whose physical properties (compressibility, rebound characteristics) can be adjusted during manufacturing to optimize performance. By controlling the material composition and structural parameters of the pads, the system achieves the desired flexibility and comfort without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the overall assembly. The moveable rails and pivot joints are designed with reasonable tolerances that allow for easy assembly while maintaining the intended flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A binding system is mounted atop a rider-support surface of the board. The binding system comprises: a pair of rails locatable on opposing sides of a generally flattened foot-receiving surface for the rider's foot, each rail comprising a central portion mountable to the recreational board, a toe-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a toe-side of the recreational board and a heel-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a heel-side of the recreational board. Each rail is moveably coupled to a corresponding stand-off flange of a base.