Battery-Powered Ski Track Setter with Segmented Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ski track setters require expensive vehicles for operation and are labor-intensive for personal use, making them impractical for grooming snow on private properties and forest trails.

Innovation Solution

A power-assisted ski track setter equipped with a user control assembly, drive assembly, and track cutter assembly, powered by a battery, allowing users to control speed and direction without additional vehicles, reducing labor and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional ski track setters are used, then ski tracks can be set effectively, but expensive vehicles are required and costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidvehicle requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional ski track setting system is segmented into two independent components: a self-contained power unit (motor, battery, control assembly) and a track cutter assembly. This segmentation allows the expensive vehicle requirement to be eliminated while maintaining track setting functionality, as the power unit can be manually transported and deployed independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power unit is designed as a universal, multi-functional device that can operate the track cutter assembly without requiring a dedicated vehicle. The same power unit concept could potentially interface with different track cutter assemblies or be used for other snow grooming tasks, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If self-assembled ski track setters are used, then vehicle assistance is eliminated, but labor intensity and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabor intensityVSAvoidgrooming speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical effort required to operate self-assembled ski track setters is replaced with an electric power system. A motor driven by a battery pack substitutes for human pulling power, dramatically reducing labor intensity while maintaining or increasing grooming speed. The electric motor provides consistent power output without the fatigue limitations of human effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

An electric motor acts as an intermediary between the battery power source and the track cutter assembly. This intermediary converts electrical energy into mechanical motion, enabling the track cutter to move through snow with minimal direct human intervention while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If self-assembled ski track setters are used, then vehicle costs are eliminated, but operation speed and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrooming efficiencyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Electric power substitution for manual effort enables continuous operation at consistent speeds without the intermittent stops and reduced speed characteristic of human-powered systems. The motor provides sustained power output that maintains grooming efficiency while reducing total operation time required to complete track setting tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 power-assisted ski track setter provides a cost-effective and efficient means to set ski tracks, minimizing labor and eliminating the need for separate vehicles, thus enabling easier snow grooming on personal properties and trails.

Implementation Method 1

A power-assisted ski track setter includes a user control assembly, a drive assembly, and a track cutter assembly. The track cutter assembly is configured to receive power from the drive assembly during operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy to mechanical energy conversion: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS11174608B1Power-assisted ski track setter system

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 SULLIVAN MARY MARGARET

AI summary

A power-assisted ski track setter including a user control assembly, a track cutter assembly, and a drive assembly configured to operably engage the track cutter assembly is provided. The user control assembly is configured to control the direction of the power-assisted ski track setter. The track cutter assembly comprises a frame, a set of wheels operably coupled to the frame, a set of axles operably coupled to the wheels, and a set of tracks encircling the set of wheels. The set of wheels rotatably supports the frame. The drive assembly is configured to be mounted adjacent to the frame. The drive assembly comprises a motor configured to transmit power to the track cutter assembly, a battery electrically connected to the motor, and a drive gear operably coupled to the motor.