Climbing Skin Plates Segmentation for Ski Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current climbing skins are difficult to apply and remove from skis without necessitating ski removal, and their adhesive properties are affected by temperature and debris, leading to inefficiencies in backcountry skiing.
Innovation Solution
Climbing skin plates with rigid, customizable designs featuring a snow adhering substance and finned structures for enhanced traction, along with adjustable binding systems that allow for attachment to skis without removing them, utilizing a binding system that includes a front bracket, pin holes, and spring mechanisms for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If climbing skins are made with glue for attachment, then the skins provide secure adhesion to the ski, but the skins become difficult to remove and apply, requiring ski removal and causing time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The climbing skin system is divided into modular components: the skin itself, the rigid plate, and the binding system with separate elements (brackets, pins, springs). This segmentation allows the skin to remain attached to the plate while the plate can be quickly attached or detached from the ski using the binding system, eliminating the need to remove the entire ski for skin changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid plate serves as an intermediary between the climbing skin and the ski. The skin is securely attached to the plate using glue or adhesive, while the plate interfaces with the ski through a binding system. This intermediary allows the skin to maintain strong adhesion while enabling quick attachment and removal through the binding mechanism without requiring ski removal.
2Reliability
If climbing skins are folded during descent to keep them warm, then the glue remains effective, but the skins become difficult to unfold and reapply due to loss of stickiness
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the skin from the ski attachment function and placing it on a rigid plate, the system eliminates the need to unfold and re-glue the skin. The skin remains permanently attached to the plate in its optimal configuration, while the plate's binding system handles the attachment and detachment operations, making the process independent of glue temperature and effectiveness.
3Productivity
If climbing skins are removed and reapplied frequently, then the glue is exposed to debris and wet areas, but the glue effectiveness decreases, making attachment impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the skin attachment to the plate from the plate attachment to the ski. The skin-glue-plate assembly remains intact and is handled as a single unit through the binding system. This eliminates repeated exposure of the glue to debris and moisture that would occur during frequent skin changes, as the glue only needs to withstand the initial attachment to the plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid plate with binding system acts as an intermediary that protects the glue joint. The binding system's mechanical attachment method (pins, springs, brackets) handles all the stress and environmental exposure during frequent attachment and removal cycles, keeping the glue joint between the skin and plate clean and effective.
4Reliability
If rigid plates are used instead of flexible skins, then the plates provide durable and customizable traction, but the plates increase device complexity and may require more components for attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the functionality into distinct components: the rigid plate provides durable, customizable traction surface, while the binding system (brackets, pins, springs) provides the attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the rigid plate offering durability and customization options without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
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
Enables easy and efficient application and removal of climbing skins without ski removal, maintaining adhesive effectiveness and providing improved traction and durability, thus enhancing the skiing experience by reducing time spent on skin changes and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
spring mechanisms for secure attachment
Implementation Method 2
snow adhering substance, such as mohair, which provides traction for the ski
Implementation Method 3
snow adhering substance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a modified ski and climbing skin plate kits. The climbing skin plate kit is for use with a ski and includes at least one rigid plate, at least one front bracket, and at least two protrusions. The modified ski includes a ski and two protrusions protruding from either side of the ski.