Alpine Ski Localized Bending Zone for Freestyle Reproducibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alpine skis lack reproducibility in behavior when performing freestyle tricks, such as sliding on rails, due to even flexing along their entire length, making it difficult for skiers to consistently execute the same figures.
Innovation Solution
An alpine ski design featuring a single zone of preferential bending deformation between the binding mounting point and the front end, with a softening point located 360-480 mm away, allowing for localized and reproducible deformation, while the spatula region remains relatively rigid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ski flexes evenly over its entire length, then the ski maintains uniform structural integrity, but it becomes difficult to reproduce the same figure several times during freestyle tricks
Solution Approach 1:
The ski incorporates a zone of preferential deformation with reduced thickness (6-8mm) located between the mounting point and the front end, specifically positioned 285-365mm from the mounting point. This localized thinning creates a softening point 360-480mm from the mounting point, concentrating flexibility in a specific region while maintaining uniform thickness (8.5-11mm) in the spatula and mounting zone for structural integrity. This local quality differentiation enables predictable, reproducible deformation patterns during freestyle tricks.
2Reliability
If the ski has a zone of reduced thickness for preferential deformation, then localized and reproducible deformation is achieved, but the overall structural strength of the ski is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ski features differentiated thickness zones: a preferential deformation zone with reduced thickness (6-8mm) for controlled flexibility, while the spatula and mounting zone maintain uniform, greater thickness (8.5-11mm) for structural strength. This local quality approach concentrates flexibility where needed while preserving overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The ski is segmented into distinct functional zones: the preferential deformation zone (285-365mm from mounting point) with reduced thickness for flexibility, and the spatula/mounting zone with uniform thickness for strength. This segmentation allows independent optimization of flexibility and strength in different regions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ski maintains uniform thickness throughout, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ski cannot provide localized deformation for precise control during tricks
Solution Approach 1:
The ski employs local quality differentiation with a preferential deformation zone of reduced thickness (6-8mm) positioned 285-365mm from the mounting point, while maintaining uniform thickness (8.5-11mm) in the spatula and mounting zone. This localized modification provides precise control during tricks while remaining manufacturable through targeted material removal or different layering in the identified zone.
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
This design enables consistent behavior during tricks like 'nose press' and 'tail press', facilitating precise control and reproducibility of freestyle maneuvers by isolating deformation to specific zones, enhancing the skier's ability to perform elaborate tricks.
Implementation Method 1
a single zone of preferential deformation in bending, between the mounting zone and a front end of the ski... By virtue of the invention, the preferential deformation zone in flexion, the location of which is known to the skier, makes it possible to obtain a localized and reproducible deformation of the ski in the zone in question
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
This alpine ski (1) includes a mounting zone (6) for a binding centered on a mounting point (A6). This ski also includes a single preferred deformation zone (Z1, Z2) in bending, provided between the mounting zone (6) and one or both ends (2, 4) of the ski. Under a static load of 900 Newtons, applied at the center of the preferred deformation zone (Z1, Z2) and in a direction perpendicular to the base (10) of the ski, the deformation zone (Z1) adopts an overall dihedral configuration with a deflection greater than or equal to 13 mm, preferably 15 mm, the ski being supported by two bars (202, 204), arranged under the base (10), symmetrically on either side of the zone (Z1) and separated from each other by an axial distance d200 equal to 400 mm.