Motorized Ski Binding Longitudinal Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized climbing aids for touring skis are inefficient in various snow conditions, either failing to provide sufficient grip on hard snow or requiring excessive resistance on soft snow, and often alter the user's movement pattern, increasing energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A motorized touring ski system with a sliding device between the ski and binding, driven by an electric motor, allows the binding to oscillate longitudinally, reducing physical effort by extending stride length without changing the user's movement or posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a push-off shovel is used to engage in snow for movement, then the ski can be moved forward, but it fails to provide sufficient grip on hard snow and cannot achieve desired effect on very soft snow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical push-off shovel system with an electric motor-driven binding displacement system. The motor (106) actuates the binding (102) to move longitudinally on the ski via a threaded spindle (107) and nut (108) mechanism, eliminating the need for snow engagement and providing reliable propulsion across all snow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters from manual push-off force application to motor-controlled binding displacement. The electric motor provides variable speed and force control, adapting to different terrains and snow conditions automatically, thereby resolving the adaptability issue of fixed mechanical push-off systems.
2Reliability
If large drive elements are used to generate friction or rolling surfaces for snow grip, then grip is improved, but weight and space increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes heavy mechanical friction-based drive elements with a lightweight electric motor system. The motor-driven longitudinal displacement of the binding provides propulsion without requiring large contact surfaces or high-friction materials, significantly reducing weight while maintaining or improving grip reliability.
3Productivity
If motorized climbing aids pull the body back and forth constantly, then ascent is assisted, but the original form of movement is changed which proves to be a disadvantage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the motorized assistance function from the body movement chain and applies it directly to the binding displacement. This allows the user's natural walking and skiing movements to remain unchanged while the motor provides supplemental propulsion by moving the binding forward during the ascent phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding acts as an intermediary between the user's natural movement and the motorized assistance. The motor displaces the binding longitudinally, which in turn propels the user forward without requiring the user to alter their gait or movement pattern, thus maintaining movement naturalness while providing ascent assistance.
4Productivity
If retractable and extendable rods are used to move the legs, then climbing is facilitated, but a predetermined gait must be strictly adhered to
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the leg movement control function from the mechanical rod system and transfers it to the user's natural movement. The electric motor responds to the user's voluntary binding displacement actions, allowing flexible gait adaptation without the constraint of predetermined mechanical gait cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, predetermined gait mechanism to a dynamic, user-adaptable system. The motor-controlled binding displacement can be adjusted in real-time based on terrain, user fatigue, and personal preference, providing climbing facilitation while maintaining full gait flexibility.
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 system reduces energy expenditure by enhancing stride length and distance per step, maintaining conventional handling properties in both ascent and descent, while being lightweight, robust, and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
driven by an electric motor, allows the binding to oscillate longitudinally
Implementation Method 2
an underside is designed as a sliding surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention concerns sports equipment (1), in particular a touring ski arrangement. The sports equipment (1) comprises a sliding member (2) on which an underside (3) is designed as a slide surface (4) which corresponds substantially to the face projected in the direction of an upper side (5) of the sliding member (2). The sports equipment (1) further comprises a binding device (6), in particular a touring binding, which is disposed on the upper side (5) of the sliding member (2) in order to be secured as necessary to a sports boot (7) of a user (8), and a mounting device (13) by means of which the binding device (6), in particular a boot-mounting part (14) of the binding device (6) is mounted such that it can be adjusted relative to the sliding member (2) in the longitudinal direction (15) thereof. Further provided is a drive device (16) which can be connected to an energy-supply device (17) and by means of which the binding device (6) can be displaced actively and in oscillating manner in the longitudinal direction (15) of the sliding member (2). With this configuration, the locomotion of a user can be assisted, in particular the negotiation of ascents and mountain sections can be facilitated such that the physical force to be exerted by the user or capability can be reduced.