Nitinol Ski Inlays for Adjustable Stiffness and Rocker

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skiing and snowboarding equipment lacks the ability to dynamically adjust its stiffness, rocker, and camber properties in response to changing conditions, requiring multiple pieces of equipment for different scenarios, which can be cumbersome and increase the risk of injury.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of thermally responsive materials like nitinol and mechanical pulling mechanisms within skis and snowboards, allowing real-time adjustments of torsional stiffness, axial stiffness, rocker angle, and camber through controlled heating and mechanical manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pieces of sporting equipment are used to cover different skiing conditions, then the adaptability to varying conditions is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying skiing conditionsVSAvoidnumber of equipment pieces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ski incorporates dynamically adjustable properties through thermally responsive materials and mechanical pulling mechanisms that allow real-time modification of stiffness, rocker angle, and camber. This enables a single ski to adapt to different conditions (groomed runs, powder, icy slopes) without requiring multiple separate skis, thereby reducing equipment complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes physical parameters of the ski (stiffness, rocker angle, camber) in response to detected conditions or user input. By varying these parameters dynamically, the ski can optimize its performance for different terrains and conditions, eliminating the need for multiple static equipment pieces and simplifying the user's equipment collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pieces of equipment are carried for different conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying conditionsVSAvoidcumbersomeness of equipment management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ski's dynamically adjustable properties allow it to transform its characteristics in real-time based on conditions or user preference. This eliminates the need for athletes to carry and switch between multiple skis, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive adaptability across different skiing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single ski is designed to perform multiple functions by adjusting its stiffness, rocker, and camber properties. This universal design allows one piece of equipment to replace an entire collection of condition-specific skis, making equipment management simpler and more convenient for athletes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If fixed-performance skis are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of equipmentVSAvoidability to modify stiffness and geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ski incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through thermally responsive materials and mechanical pulling mechanisms. These features allow the ski to modify its stiffness and geometric properties (rocker angle, camber) in response to changing conditions or user input, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple base equipment design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables real-time changes to key physical parameters including stiffness, rocker angle, and camber. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows a single simple ski design to adapt to various conditions, eliminating the need for multiple complex condition-specific skis while maintaining comprehensive versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables a single set of equipment to adapt to varying conditions, enhancing control and reducing injury risk by providing dynamic adjustments based on detected conditions or user input.

Implementation Method 1

Inclusion of thermally responsive materials like nitinol within skis and snowboards, allowing real-time adjustments of torsional stiffness, axial stiffness, rocker angle, and camber through controlled heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermally responsive material: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

causing a heating element to impart the desired phase change to the inlay component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12485340B2Variable property sporting equipment

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 VERISPELLIS SKIS & SNOWBOARDS INC

AI summary

A system for adjusting physical properties of a ski or snowboard, through use of one or more specially shaped components applied upon or embedded within the ski or snowboard, wherein the components may be comprised of a thermally responsive material that includes nitinol, and wherein the nitinol components may themselves be treated using a specific method in order to achieve desired transformation results that adjust stiffness, rocker, and in some cases camber angle of a ski.