Method for handling insulation materials used for storing snow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for storing snow at ski resorts require large amounts of insulating materials, leading to significant storage space and transportation challenges, as well as high material costs, which can limit the extension of the skiing season and profitability.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using insulating materials for snow storage during the summer to be repurposed for other applications within the ski resort during the skiing season, such as impact shields, space dividers, and thermal storage insulation, thereby reducing the need for separate materials and storage space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large amounts of insulating materials are used for snow storage, then the snow can be stored through the summer successfully, but the storage space required and transportation costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesnow storage successVSAvoidstorage space for insulating material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating materials are designed to serve dual purposes: first as insulation for snow storage during summer, and then as functional elements for ski resort operations during the skiing season. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage space and reduces the total volume of materials needed, as the same materials perform multiple roles across different seasons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the insulating materials after snow storage, the patent recovers and reuses them for ski resort applications during the skiing season. This recovery process eliminates the need for separate storage facilities and reduces waste, directly addressing the storage space problem while maintaining snow storage effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If large amounts of insulating materials are used for snow storage, then the snow can be stored through the summer successfully, but the transportation and handling labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesnow storage successVSAvoidlabor for transfer and storage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating materials are designed to serve dual purposes: first as insulation for snow storage during summer, and then as functional elements for ski resort operations during the skiing season. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage space and reduces the total volume of materials needed, as the same materials perform multiple roles across different seasons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the insulating materials after snow storage, the patent recovers and reuses them for ski resort applications during the skiing season. This recovery process eliminates the need for separate storage facilities and reduces waste, directly addressing the storage space problem while maintaining snow storage effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If separate insulating materials are purchased for ski resort applications, then the resort has adequate materials for all needs, but material costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial availability for resort operationsVSAvoidtotal material cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating materials are designed to serve dual purposes: first as insulation for snow storage during summer, and then as functional elements for ski resort operations during the skiing season. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage space and reduces the total volume of materials needed, as the same materials perform multiple roles across different seasons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating materials are designed to serve dual purposes: first as insulation for snow storage during summer, and then as functional elements for ski resort operations during the skiing season. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage space and reduces the total volume of materials needed, as the same materials perform multiple roles across different seasons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach significantly reduces material costs and labor, extends the skiing season, and enhances the economic viability of ski resorts by utilizing insulating materials more efficiently across different applications.

Implementation Method 1

insulating materials used for storing snow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

breathability, allowing the geotextile and thereby the air underneath it to cool down as a result of a phase change of liquid when the moisture in the geotextile that has become wet evaporates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3535035B1Method for handling insulation materials used for storing snow
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 SNOW SECURE OY
  • EP3535035B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3535035B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for handling insulating materials (11 to 15) used for storing snow, wherein the insulating materials (11 to 15) covering a heap of snow (10) stored through the summer are taken off the heap of snow (10) before the snow in the heap of snow (10) is transferred to a selected use. In the method according to the invention, the insulating materials (11 to 15) used for covering the heap of snow (10) stored through the summer are transferred to such another use (12a to 12c, 13a to 13c, 16, 17, 19, 21 ), in which the insulating materials (11 to 15) have at least one function other than mere storage of the insulating materials (11 to 15).