Snowboard Surface Structuring via Mesh Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing snow gliding boards, such as skis and snowboards, face challenges in creating a visually appealing, structured surface while maintaining smooth mold surfaces for easy cleaning and tool versatility.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer surface structure is applied to the snow gliding board, comprising a decorative thermoplastic film, a duroplastic mesh or screen-like material, and a flexible or elastic material, where the mesh provides a network structure that forms shallow trough-like depressions upon molding, allowing for both structured and unstructured surface production using the same molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a smooth mold surface is used to facilitate cleaning and demoulding, then ease of cleaning and manufacturing is improved, but the ability to produce a structured surface is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the smooth mold surface and the decorative film. The mesh layer transfers the structured pattern to the decorative film during molding, allowing the mold to remain smooth while still achieving surface structuring on the final product.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure is segmented into a separate mesh layer that can be independently positioned between the mold and decorative film. This allows the mold surface to remain smooth for easy cleaning while the mesh layer provides the necessary structural pattern to the final product surface.
2Shape
If a mesh or screen-like material is arranged underneath the decorative film to create surface structure, then surface structuring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh layer serves multiple functions: it provides surface structuring, acts as a release agent between the mold and decorative film, and can be configured to create different surface patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for complex mold designs while achieving the desired surface structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh layer is pre-positioned between the mold and decorative film before molding. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the structured surface pattern is transferred to the decorative film during the molding process, eliminating the need for complex mold features while achieving surface structuring.
3Shape
If different molds are used for structured and unstructured surfaces, then surface structure quality is improved, but manufacturing efficiency and tool versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The same mold can be used for both structured and unstructured surfaces by simply adding or removing the mesh layer. This makes the mold versatile and reduces the need for different tooling sets, while still achieving high-quality surface structure when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh layer can be dynamically added or removed from the mold assembly depending on whether a structured or unstructured surface is required. This dynamic configuration allows a single mold design to serve multiple purposes, improving tool versatility without compromising surface structure quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of snow gliding boards with a visually appealing, light surface structure using smooth molds, simplifying cleaning and tool design, and allowing for the same tools to be used for both structured and unstructured surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a layer 4 in the direction of core 3 subsequent layer 5 of a mesh or screen-like flat material... made of a suitable flexible or elastic material... preferably an open-pored material or foam material
Implementation Method 2
pressed together using a resin or plastic that hardens under the influence of heat connected to the gliding board body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Snow sliding board has a surface formed from a layer of decorating foil. A layer from a meshed or lattice-like flat material is provided below the layer formed by the decoration foil for obtaining a structured surface. The meshed or lattice-like flat material possesses more hardness than the material of the decorating foil. An independent claim is also included for the method for manufacturing snow sliding board.