Remote Release Snowboard Binding via Wireless Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional snowboard bindings do not allow for easy release from the snowboard, particularly in dangerous situations such as getting stuck in a tree well or caught on lift equipment, which can lead to safety issues and inconvenience, especially for novice riders.

Innovation Solution

A snowboard binding system that enables remote release from the snowboard using a wireless remote control, allowing the user to disconnect from the snowboard with minimal effort, while maintaining the boot securely in the binding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional snowboard bindings use fixed fasteners and buckles to secure the rider, then the binding provides stable attachment to the snowboard, but the rider cannot easily release from the snowboard in dangerous situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidrelease difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The binding system is divided into two independent parts: a fixed baseplate attached to the snowboard and a movable boot interface portion. This segmentation allows the boot interface to be released independently from the snowboard while the baseplate remains securely attached, resolving the contradiction between stable attachment and easy release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A release cable acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rider's hand and the boot interface portion. Pulling the cable transmits force through the binding system to disengage the boot interface from the baseplate, providing an easy release mechanism without compromising the secure attachment during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the binding requires the rider to reach and manually unbuckle the binding, then the binding provides secure retention, but the rider may be unable to release in head-down or awkward positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot retentionVSAvoidrelease accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The release cable extends from the boot interface portion to an accessible location on the binding, serving as a mediator that allows the rider to trigger release from a distance. This eliminates the need to reach the boot interface directly, enabling release even when the rider is in head-down or awkward positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The release mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional manual buckling operation at the boot interface to a one-dimensional cable pull operation that can be performed from any position around the rider, adding spatial flexibility to the release action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the binding is fixed to the snowboard with multiple fasteners, then the binding provides strong connection, but the rider must operate multiple buckles to release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidnumber of release components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fasteners and buckles are merged into a single integrated release cable mechanism. Pulling the cable simultaneously actuates all release points, reducing the number of independent components the rider must operate while maintaining strong connection during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is segmented into a permanent baseplate-snowboard attachment and a releasable boot-interface connection. This allows the strong connection to be maintained at the baseplate level while simplifying the release mechanism at the boot interface level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the binding securely attaches the boot to the snowboard, then the binding provides stable control, but the rider cannot quickly release in emergencies like avalanches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol stabilityVSAvoidrelease time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The release cable is pre-positioned and pre-tensioned within the binding system, ready for immediate activation. This preliminary preparation allows the rider to initiate release with a single quick pull action, minimizing response time in emergency situations while maintaining secure attachment during normal riding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cable-pull release mechanism enables the rider to rapidly transition from the engaged to disengaged state in a single swift motion, skipping the time-consuming sequence of manually unfastening multiple buckles and allowing quick escape from dangerous situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS10729968B2Remote release snowboard binding

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 ROSSLAND BINDING CO

AI summary

In one example, a snowboard binding includes a retention and release assembly configured to be mounted to a snowboard, and further includes a retention mechanism operable by a wireless remote control. A boot interface portion of the snowboard binding is configured to releasably engage the retention and release assembly, and the boot interface portion is also configured to releasably retain a boot. In operation, the user can enable release of the boot interface portion from the retention mechanism by activating the wireless remoted control so as to cause the boot interface portion to be unlocked from the retention mechanism.