초록 ▼

A board, such as a ski or snowboard, that includes a piezoelectric damper. A sensor such as a piece of piezoelectric material is located on the body of the board such that, as the board vibrates or deforms, the piezoelectric sensor is also deformed. As the piezoelectric sensor deforms, it produces a

A board, such as a ski or snowboard, that includes a piezoelectric damper. A sensor such as a piece of piezoelectric material is located on the body of the board such that, as the board vibrates or deforms, the piezoelectric sensor is also deformed. As the piezoelectric sensor deforms, it produces an electrical signal that is provided to a control circuit. The control circuit receives the electrical signal and generates a control signal of proportional amplitude and frequency, but an inverse waveform to the sensed vibration. The control signal causes a piezoelectric damper to stiffen and resist deformation of the board, thus damping the vibration. The sensed signal may also be stored within a memory device and subsequently downloaded to provide a skier profile for analysis.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A board for use on snow, comprising:(a) a longitudinally extending structural, flexing body;(b) a sensor coupled to the body so as to flex with the body to produce a sensed electri

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A board for use on snow, comprising:(a) a longitudinally extending structural, flexing body;(b) a sensor coupled to the body so as to flex with the body to produce a sensed electrical signal in response to a vibration produced within the body;(c) a control circuit mounted on the body and electrically connected to the sensor that receives the sensed electrical signal and generates an electrical control signal in response thereto, the control signal having a waveform that is an inverse of the sensed electrical signal and that is proportional to the amplitude and to the frequency of the sensed electrical signal;(d) a piezoelectric material coupled to the body so as to flex when the body flexes, the piezoelectric material being electrically connected to the control circuit so that electrically induced deformation of the piezoelectric material is influenced in response to the control signal to dampen vibrations within the body; and(e) a power supply electrically connected to the control circuit.