Anti-zigzag Snowmobile Ski Guide with Cutting Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snowmobile skis experience wear and lack stability on soft ice, particularly during fast turns, due to inadequate traction and adherence.
Innovation Solution
A guide system is integrated into the ski, featuring a rectangular flat extension with cutting wings that provide enhanced stability and traction by creating multiple trails on the ice, including a reversed U-shape design with adjustable wing angles and configurations to accommodate different snow conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional runner design is used, then the snowmobile can move on ice, but the ski experiences wear and lacks stability on soft ice
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into multiple functional segments: a reversed U-shape body with cutting wings for stability, a rectangular flat extension for traction, and a tail section for wear protection. Each segment addresses a specific problem - the cutting wings provide stability on soft ice while the rectangular extension reduces wear by distributing contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the guide have different geometric properties optimized for their specific functions. The cutting wings have angled surfaces for digging into soft ice, the rectangular extension has a flat surface for uniform wear distribution, and the tail section has a specific geometry for reducing contact wear. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and wear resistance.
2Reliability
If cutting wings are added to the guide, then stability on soft ice is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting wings are merged with the reversed U-shape guide body as an integrated structure rather than separate components. The wings form part of the guide's web structure, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the stability function.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversed U-shape guide body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural framework, incorporates the cutting wings for stability, and integrates the rectangular extension for wear protection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If a rectangular flat extension is added to the runner, then adherence on soft snow is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rectangular flat extension adds a new dimensional element to the guide structure, extending the contact surface area in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional expansion improves adherence by distributing the load over a larger surface area on soft snow, while the simple rectangular geometry maintains ease of manufacture through standard fabrication processes.
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
The guide system effectively reduces wear on the ski and improves adherence on soft snow by creating defined trails, enhancing stability and traction, especially on soft ice.
Implementation Method 1
two cutting wings (128, 128') disposed in direction of the ground and longitudinally of the ski... Those cutting wings are slightly open towards outside of the ski by a horizontal offset (124) of typically 1 mm... defining five trails
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a prior application U.S. Ser. No. 11/705,116 <<ANTI-ZIGZAG GUIDE RAIL FOR SNOWMOBILE SKI>> wherein a flat rectangular extension (122) is added to protect from wear the skittle of a snowmobile ski when crossing rocky paths. The flat extension is used as floating link between the guide and the tail (131) of a wear runner laid out longitudinally of the ski. The guide (120) located at the front of the ski is always engaged, along with the self-sharpening runner, in ice, while the extension (122) keeps the back of the ski flat. The extension may be of a reversed U-shape comprising an extra web (135) and two extra cutting wings (136) protruding from the web (135) to a certain depth in direction of the ground and longitudinally of the extension, thus defining five cutting trails.