Motorized Ski Traction Hub for Uphill Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Uphill travel in alpine touring skiing is cumbersome and laborious due to the need for manual effort, despite advancements in equipment weight reduction and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A motorized traction device is attached to each ski, featuring a hub motor and cylindrical traction surfaces powered by a removable battery, which assists the ski's forward motion during the user's stride, engaging when the ski is lifted and disengaging when weight is reapplied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If motorized traction device is added to assist uphill travel, then energy expenditure for skiing is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized traction system is divided into separate modular components: a hub motor unit that attaches to the ski, a wearable power pack that can be removed, and a binding interface. This segmentation allows the traction assistance function to be added without permanently modifying the ski structure, reducing overall system complexity while providing motorized assistance to reduce energy expenditure during uphill travel.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable power pack serves as an intermediary component that provides electrical power to the hub motor without being permanently integrated into the ski. This mediator approach allows the motorized assistance system to be easily attached and removed, simplifying the overall device architecture while enabling energy-efficient uphill travel through motorized traction.
2Productivity
If hub motor and cylindrical traction surfaces are used to propel ski forward, then forward motion is assisted, but weight of equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub motor system is designed with dynamic attachment and removal capabilities, allowing the traction assistance to be engaged only when needed for uphill travel. The motor and traction surfaces can be attached to the ski and removed when not in use, providing productivity benefits during uphill sections while minimizing weight impact during downhill travel or transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized traction components, including the hub motor and cylindrical traction surfaces, are designed to be temporarily attached to the ski for uphill travel and then removed or discarded when no longer needed. This approach provides forward motion assistance when required while avoiding the continuous weight penalty of permanently mounted motorized systems.
3Ease of operation
If device is permanently attached to ski, then motorized assistance is continuously available, but adaptability for different terrain conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized traction device incorporates dynamic attachment mechanisms that allow easy installation and removal based on terrain conditions. The hub motor unit can be quickly attached to the ski for uphill sections and removed for downhill travel or transport, providing ease of operation when needed while maintaining adaptability to different terrain conditions through flexible deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub motor system is designed with universal attachment capabilities that work with standard ski bindings and mounting points. This multi-functionality allows the same device to be used across different ski equipment and terrain conditions, providing motorized assistance availability while maintaining versatility through standardized, adaptable mounting interfaces.
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
Reduces the energy expenditure for skiers by propelling the ski forward during each step, enhancing endurance and making uphill travel more efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The battery and circuitry power the hub motor that is situated below the ski. The hub motor engages various cylindrical traction surfaces (depending on snow conditions) to propel the unweighted ski forward for the duration of the step.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure comprises a novel system that attaches to skis in an alpine touring setup and provides electric, battery powered, motorized traction that assists the skier when traveling uphill or horizontal on snow. In one embodiment, the devices removably attach to the ski near the tail and have a cylindrical traction surface that sits below the ski near the tail. The traction surface is powered by an electric hub motor which engages, either with initiation of forward movement, input from sensors, or a set programmed cadence, thereby assisting the user's moving, unweighted ski forward until the completion of that step. Once arrived at the desired destination, or when downhill travel is warranted, the user removes and stores the devices from each ski and proceeds downhill.