The aim of my thesis was to construct a battery-powered, wirelessly controlled device that provides propulsion for recreational snowboarders on level ground parts of marked ski slopes. The device can be switched on by a remote control when needed, which then activates the caterpillar tracks to shift into drive mode, starts the motor and drives the snowboarder forward. Once the motor is no longer needed, the caterpillar tracks are stowed back into their initial position where they do not obstruct the snowboarder.
It is essential for this type of device to be of minimal size, since it is restricted to fit into the space between the snowboard bindings and the edge of the snowboard's width, while at the same time it must maintain optimal contact with the snow-covered surface for the drive to be efficient. The device must also be low-lying and lightweight as not to hinder the snowboarder.
The basic components of the device are: electric motor, gearbox, control electronics operated wirelessly, battery and caterpillar drive. For safety reasons, the electric components must be protected from coming into contact with water.
In addition to the prototype, the thesis also introduces several new ideas for upgrading the device and improving its quality, since the time and means required to produce a better version of the device were limited.
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