Snowboard Convex Bulges Binding Area Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snowboards lack optimal handling characteristics, forgiveness, ease of turning, controllability, edge hold, and directional stability, despite ongoing research in geometry and material improvements.
Innovation Solution
A snowboard design featuring convex bulges in the binding areas with smaller radii than the concave side edges, combined with negative pretension and a wood core that is thicker in the binding areas, allowing for direct energy transmission and improved control, edge hold, and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional snowboard designs with concave side edges are used, then the snowboard maintains basic structural integrity, but it lacks optimal handling characteristics, forgiveness, and ease of turning
Solution Approach 1:
The snowboard features convex bulges at specific locations (front and rear binding areas) with smaller radii than the concave side edges. These localized convex features create discrete contact points that improve handling and turning ease, while the overall concave side edges maintain edge hold and directional stability. This local differentiation of geometric properties resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the snowboard has a wavy sidecut with multiple convex and concave sections, then it provides varied contact points, but the driving characteristics become unmanageable and control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a continuous wavy sidecut with multiple convex and concave sections, the invention segments the sidecut geometry to include only two discrete convex bulges located at the front and rear binding areas. This segmentation provides the necessary contact points for control while avoiding the excessive complexity and unmanageable driving characteristics associated with more extensive waviness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the radii of convex bulges are made smaller to create better contact points, then energy transmission to the ground is improved, but the transitions become discontinuous increasing sliding resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The convex bulges are pre-formed with smaller radii than the concave side edges to ensure optimal contact points are established before the snowboard enters use. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when the snowboard is ridden, the contact points are already optimally positioned for direct kinetic energy transmission to the ground, while the continuous transition prevents sliding resistance issues.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
AI summary
In a snowboard (1) with a front end (1a), a rear end (1c) and a waist area (1b) located between the front end and the rear end, in said waist area are disposed a front binding area (1d) and a rear binding area (1f) separated therefrom by a middle area (1e), the waist area (1b) comprises concave side edges in the front binding area (1d) and in the rear binding area (1f) - in a top view of the snowboard (1). A convex protrusion (1g, 1h, 1j, 1k) is provided in both the front binding area (1d) and in the rear binding area (1f) at the right and the left sides. The snowboard (1) can have a core (2), preferably a wooden core, which has a greater thickness in the front (2b) and the rear (2d) binding area than in the middle area (2c).