Ice Skate With Exchangeable Blade Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ice skates require the entire skate to be removed and re-fitted with a sharpened blade, which is time-consuming and space-intensive, especially during matches where blades may become worn or damaged.
Innovation Solution
The ice skate design allows for the easy exchange of the lower chassis section, which contains the ice contacting blade, by utilizing a coupling arrangement that enables relative pivotal movement between the upper and lower chassis sections, and includes a spring back means for precise adjustment and a release mechanism for quick blade exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the entire skate is removed and re-fitted with a sharpened blade, then the blade can be replaced, but it is time-consuming and space-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The skate is divided into separable components: an upper chassis section and a lower chassis section containing the blade. The coupling arrangement allows these sections to be independently exchanged, enabling blade replacement without removing the entire skate from the user's foot.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower chassis section containing the blade is extracted as a separate replaceable unit from the upper chassis section. This extraction allows the blade to be replaced by removing only the necessary component rather than the entire skate assembly.
2Ease of repair
If the lower chassis section is made exchangeable, then blade replacement is simplified, but the coupling arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arrangement merges multiple functions into a single mechanism: it provides both the pivot connection for rolling contact motion and the release/locking mechanism for blade exchange. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling arrangement serves multiple purposes: it enables the rolling contact motion between chassis sections during skating and simultaneously provides the release means for easy blade exchange. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the added capability.
3Reliability
If the spring back means is arranged to urge the momentary contact region to a neutral position, then the rolling contact motion is controlled, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring back means allows adjustment of the neutral position parameter for the rolling contact motion. By changing this parameter, the system can be optimized for different skating conditions while maintaining reliable control through the spring mechanism.
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
This design enables quick and efficient blade exchange without removing the entire skate, reducing downtime and space requirements, while maintaining the skate's performance, stability, and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The spring back means is arranged to urge the momentary contact region to a neutral position along the first and second contact surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The coupling arrangement is arranged to allow the upper chassis section to pivot relative to the lower chassis section by rolling contact motion between the first and second contact surface
Data Source
AI summary
An ice skate for skating on ice, which comprises; an upper chassis section comprising a first contact surface having a front end and a rear end, a lower chassis section comprising a second contact surface having a front end and a rear end, and a coupling arrangement comprising a spring back means, which coupling arrangement is arranged to mechanically connect the upper and lower chassis sections.