Angled Rocker Axle Slots in Inline Skate Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inline skate frames with standard rocker axles offer limited adjustability, leading to instability for less skilled skaters or those riding at high speed, while flat setups lack maneuverability, making it difficult for beginners to turn.
Innovation Solution
The inline skate frame incorporates angled rocker slots in the first and last axle locating features, allowing for adjustable offset axles with obround protrusions and cylindrical protrusions, enabling multiple wheel configurations and rocker settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard rocker axles with fixed 2mm offset are used, then the skate frame provides a fixed rocker configuration, but this limits adaptability to different skating styles and skill levels
Solution Approach 1:
The axle positioning system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable system. The slotted cutout design allows the axle to be positioned at multiple locations along the slot, enabling the rocker offset to be dynamically changed based on skating needs. This creates a flexible system that can adapt between flat (0mm) and rockered (2mm) configurations, and potentially intermediate positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The axle positioning mechanism is segmented into discrete components: the slotted cutout in the frame wall, the offset axle with obround protrusion, and the cylindrical protrusion for securing. This segmentation allows for independent adjustment of the axle position along the slot while maintaining secure mounting through the threaded connection, enabling fine-tuned control over the rocker configuration.
2Ease of operation
If a flat (0mm) wheel setup is used, then maneuverability is improved for beginners, but stability deteriorates for less skilled skaters or high-speed riders
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows changing the critical parameter of wheel offset position along the axle. By moving the axle position along the slotted cutout, the effective rocker offset can be adjusted from 0mm (flat) to 2mm (rockered). This parameter change enables the same skate frame to provide different stability-maneuverability characteristics depending on the skating condition and skill level.
3Reliability
If a rockered (2mm) wheel setup is used, then stability is improved for high-speed riding, but maneuverability deteriorates for beginners
Solution Approach 1:
The axle positioning system allows dynamic adjustment between stable (rockered) and maneuverable (flat) configurations. The slotted cutout design enables the axle to be positioned at different locations, allowing the skater to switch between 2mm rocker for stability and 0mm flat for maneuverability based on the skating situation and skill level.
4Manufacturing precision
If angled rocker slots are added to the axle locating features, then adjustability and wheel placement precision are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The angled slotted cutout is applied locally at specific axle locating features rather than throughout the entire frame. This localized application allows for precise wheel placement control at the outer wheels while maintaining simpler manufacturing processes for the rest of the frame structure. The slot geometry can be optimized for the specific axle offset requirements at each location.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inline skate frame is provided including a first inline skate frame wall and a second inline skate frame wall opposite the first inline skate frame wall. A channel is defined between the skate frame walls. The skate frame includes axle locating features, with each axle locating feature including at least one through-hole for receiving an axle such that the corresponding axle extends across the channel. At least one of the axle locating features includes a slotted cutout in one of the first and second inline skate frame walls. Also provided is an adjustable inline skate system utilizing the inline skate frame.