Presentation Board

Sketchup Animation

Wheels

My design houses suspension, steering and motor components inside the wheel. Because of this a spoked rim design is not possible due to not having enough internal space. The solution to this was to design relatively flat plate style with no open areas that maximises space and protects internal components. This allowed both wheels to have the same appearance and to hide the suspension, steering and motor thus giving the board a simpler aesthetic similar to traditional non-motorised skateboards and conveying a dynamic shape which reflects the racing environment. Because the exterior face of the rim does not support weight interesting non semetrical designs are possible.

Foot Straps/ Bindings

To improve rider safety and physical limitations I have chosen to add bindings similar to those found on snowboards, these keep the rider attached to the board during a crash, stopping the board from becoming a projectile that could endanger other riders. The bindings are designed for use with solid, ski boot style boots because they provide great ankle protection. The bindings also act as a mechanism to stop riders who are not properly protected from using the board (riders would be required to wear a full face helmet, solid boots, gloves and full body armour). The bindings will be attached by rails embedded into a rotational circular plate which allows the angle to be varied according to the riders preference. The rails allow the distance between the front and rear parts of the binding to be moved and accommodate different boot sizes. The front foot binding has limited swivel because this allows slight foot rotation which is used to steer the board’s two wheels via electronic servos. Because electronic steering servos have no physical link to the wheels they don’t transfer potentially damaging force back to the rider’s ankle which can be caused by hitting objects on the track or riding over a rough surface. The riders boots are locked into the bingings by pushing the toe of the boot into the toe of the binding, the heel of the binding is then unlocked by pushing down on the spring loaded locks directly on either side, it can then be rotated slightly to allow the heel of the boot to be inserted. to totally lock the boot inplace the rider rotates their foot untill the heel of the binding allows the locks to return to the vertical position they started in. To relese the rider pushes on the locks at the heel of the binding and rotates the boot free. Aesthetically the bindings match the style and colour of the board and their small profile reinforces the dynamic aesthetic of the board.

I am aware that using bindings restricts thiders mobility howerver because the board is equipped with a long wheel base and wide wheels the board will remain stable through all phases of riding provided the rider shifts their weight appropriately.

Following The Snow Board philosophy

Development

I have changed the board shape to have a more dynamic appearance that better reflects the racing concept I am following, this design features a unique asymmetrical design that attaches each wheels by a single curved strut

The Concept Explained

The concept of my design is that it would be a competitive; track based motor sport crossed between motor biking and longboarding. Being in a controlled track environment is safer for those who participate and the road users that long boarders normally endanger when they ride on working roads. The boards would be electric, powered by light weight lithium polymer batteries housed inside the deck and propelled and braked by a high torque out runner motor attached directly to the inside of the back wheel hub. The boards would have in hub suspension on the front wheel to absorb the brunt of shocks, but still let the rider feel them as a form of communication from the board to the rider. These components are hidden from view to give the boards a more dynamic appearance reminiscent of both snowboards and skateboards however unlike conventional boards they operate on two wheels because this allows the rider to lean deep into turns and simulate carving as well as allow a higher top speed due to reduced rolling resistance. Throttle and breaking control would be by handheld wireless controller. The board’s front ski style foot strap pivots to allow servo steering control of the front wheel and would be quickly customisable to the size of the individual riders boot. Bindings would be of the plate variety because they are used in conjunction with solid boots and provide better ankle support than other designs, they are quickly removable but will keep the rider attached to the board during a crash as this provides protection for the lower body. Users would need to wear full body motorbike armour and a helmet as well as solid ski or snowboard boots that provide ankle protection.

Hub Center Steering

Hub centre steering is a system that places the pivot point in the centre of the wheel hub. The advantage of this is that the design separates the steering mechanics from the suspension forces, this stops head shaking which is a problem caused by the compression of the front suspension forks under braking on conventional fork steering/ suspension designs. I will design this steering system into my race board because it gives high performance and is a suitable steering mechanisim for the single sided strut design I plan on using to attach the wheels.