Surfboard Spring Assembly for Flex and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surfboards face a trade-off between strength and flexibility, with more flexible boards being prone to snapping or losing their springiness over time, and stringers used for strength also reduce flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A surfboard design featuring a core with two elongate spring members, one on each side, extending from the nose to the tail, made of resilient materials like carbon fibre and resin composite, to enhance flexibility and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If more flexible surfboards are used to build energy through turns, then the surfboard can bend into turns and release stored energy, but the surfboard is more likely to snap or lose its springiness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The surfboard structure is segmented into multiple stringers (at least two stringers) positioned at different locations within the core. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: some stringers provide flexibility while others provide strength, resolving the contradiction between maintaining springiness and preventing snaps over time
Solution Approach 2:
The surfboard uses composite construction with multiple stringers made of different materials or configurations within the foam core. The stringers are positioned at specific locations to create a composite structural system that simultaneously provides both flexibility for energy storage and strength to prevent snapping
2Strength
If stringers are added to increase surfboard strength, then the surfboard becomes stronger, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different stringers are positioned at different locations within the surfboard core to provide different local functions. Some stringers are positioned to maximize flexibility in turn areas, while others are positioned to maximize strength in structural areas, allowing the overall structure to achieve both strength and flexibility simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The strength function is segmented across multiple stringers rather than relying on a single heavy stringer. This allows the strength to be distributed throughout the core structure while maintaining flexibility in specific regions where needed
3Strength
If a single stringer is placed down the centre of the board, then strength is provided, but flexibility along the centre is reduced and torsional flex increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stringer configuration is made asymmetric by positioning stringers at different locations rather than using a single central stringer. This asymmetric placement allows the structure to resist torsional forces more effectively while maintaining longitudinal strength, as the stringers are positioned to counteract twisting moments
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
The design provides desired flex while enhancing longitudinal strength, reducing torsional flex, and allowing control over the amount and location of flex during manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
Flex allows a surfboard to build energy through turns by bending into a turn, this results in a greater vertical curve of the surfboard between the nose and the tail and stored energy. As the surfboard comes out of a turn, the surfboard snaps back to its original shape, releasing the stored energy and propelling the surfboard out of the turn.
Data Source
AI summary
A surfboard having a core, a first elongate spring member located adjacent an upper side of the core, and a second elongate spring member located adjacent a lower side of the core, wherein the first elongate spring member extends substantially from a nose portion of the surfboard to a tail portion of the surfboard.