Gravity-Based Heel Elevator for Ski Climbing Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alpine touring skiers face challenges in maintaining an ergonomic climbing angle while ascending hills, as existing systems require manual adjustment of the heel elevator device to match changing inclinations, leading to inefficient and time-consuming adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A heel elevator device with a gravity-based positioning element, such as a pendulum or rolling body, that automatically adjusts the climbing angle between the ski boot sole and the ski, ensuring the sole remains horizontal and aligned with the hill's inclination, using a force transmitting piston and connection rod to maintain a fixed minimum climbing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual adjustment mechanism is used for the heel elevator device, then the climbing angle can be adjusted to match changing inclinations, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heel elevator device automatically adjusts the climbing angle by utilizing the skier's own movements and the gravitational force acting on the pendulum element. The system self-regulates without requiring manual intervention, as the pendulum naturally aligns with gravity to determine the appropriate angle based on the hill's inclination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automatic gravity-based system. The pendulum element uses gravitational force instead of manual operation to adjust the climbing angle, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual interventions while maintaining adaptability to varying terrain
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heel elevator device is fixed rigidly to the ski, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to adapt to varying climbing angles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the plate element can rotate relative to the ski around a fixed axis. The pendulum element dynamically adjusts the climbing angle based on gravitational force and the skier's position, allowing the structure to adapt to varying terrain while maintaining stability through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The pendulum element acts as a counterbalance that uses gravitational force to automatically adjust the climbing angle. As the skier moves or the terrain changes, the pendulum's weight creates a restoring force that naturally positions the plate element at the optimal angle, balancing structural stability with adaptive capability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the gravity based positioning element is always fixed, then the climbing angle is stable, but the device cannot automatically adapt to changing hill inclinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the positioning system dynamic by allowing the pendulum element to move freely under gravitational influence. The element transitions between fixed and movable states automatically - when the skier applies force, the pendulum stabilizes at a specific angle; when force is released, it returns to a neutral position, enabling automatic adaptation to changing terrain without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The pendulum element provides continuous feedback about the hill's inclination and the skier's position. As terrain changes or the skier moves, the pendulum's position changes accordingly, automatically adjusting the climbing angle to maintain optimal ergonomics. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining stability during each climbing phase
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 device allows for ergonomic and efficient ascending by automatically adjusting the climbing angle with each step, reducing the need for manual adjustments and improving comfort and efficiency on varying terrain.
Implementation Method 1
a gravity based positioning element (such as a pendulum element or a rolling body) movably supported in the supporting element
Implementation Method 2
a force transmitting piston with a piston engaging section. The force transmitting piston is slideably attached to the supporting section in such a way that, when an engagement force is exerted, the force transmitting piston moves slideably into an engagement position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a heel elevator device for a ski (120), wherein the heel elevator device (100) is adapted for being fixed to the ski (120) and adapted for connecting a plate element (108) to the ski (120), wherein the plate element (108) comprises a ski binding or a sole of a ski boot. The heel elevator device (100) comprises a supporting element (102) with a supporting section (801), a gravity based positioning element (130) movably supported in the supporting element (102), and a force transmitting piston (805) with a piston engaging section (806). The force transmitting piston (805) is slideably attached to the supporting section (801) in such a way that, when an engagement force is exerted, the force transmitting piston (805) moves slideably into an engagement position. In the engagement position, the piston engaging section (806) is engaged with the gravity based positioning element (130) for fixing the gravity based positioning element (130). When the gravity based positioning element (130) is fixed, the gravity based positioning element (130) is adapted for adjusting the plate element (108) in a fixed minimum climbing angle (a) with respect to the ski (120), and, when the gravity based positioning element (130) is movably supported in the supporting element (102), the gravity based positioning element (130) is adapted for being aligned to gravity.