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IMPROVED SNOWSHOE
Senior Project

OBJECTIVE

Sought to create new snowshoe components allowing for increased articulation of the user's foot. The purpose of increasing articulation was to improve comfort during downhill and sidehill climbing.
 

DETAILS

  • ​Implement second axis of rotation to improve sidehill traversing

  • Increase axis of rotation to improve downhill traversing

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Chose to improve upon the rotating toe-cord snowshoe due to its reduced cardiorespiratory strain compared to the fixed toe-cord snowshoe.

 

The curved aluminum track was designed and manufactured to maintain typical pitch rotation while adding a degree of roll rotation. The curved track allows the PLA footbed to slide from side to side with spring resistance to give a sense of stability. This keeps the ankle and foot aligned at steeper inclines, providing more comfort while sidehill traversing.

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The ripstop spandex sewn in the decking allows the heel of the foot to pass below the frame of the snowshoe, increasing backwards pitch rotation. This provides more ankle comfort while downhill traversing.

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CONTRIBUTIONS

Design Lead

  • Led team brainstorming, implemented five stage design thinking process

  • Designed and modeled frame attachment components in Fusion 360

  • Performed static FEA simulations of components in Fusion 360

  • Completed CAD assembly

  • Created component engineering drawings

  • Designed and sewed improved decking

  • Designed machining fixture setup

  • Created tool paths and simulated machining in Fusion 360

  • CNC machined components on Fadal 4525

RESULTS

  • Increased roll rotation limit by 23°

  • Increased downhill pitch rotation limit by 25.3°

  • Improved comfort of sidehill and downhill snowshoeing

  • Components withstood forces exerted by a 200 lb user

  • Received the HP Innovation Award at OSU's 2022 Engineering Expo

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Testing found that the added roll rotation allows the foot to remain level and aligned with the ankle when the snowshoe shifts unexpectedly in deep snow.

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The final design accomplished the goal of the project and met the customer requirements. Further iteration needs to be done for weight reduction and ease of manufacturing for this to be a sellable product.

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