Non-Newtonian Ski with Shear-Thickening Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skis have fixed stiffness and damping characteristics, making them unsuitable for a wide range of snow conditions and applications, as they do not self-adjust to varying load rates, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating non-Newtonian dilatant materials into the laminated structure of skis, which exhibit rate-sensitive shear-thickening characteristics, allowing stiffness and damping to increase with higher load rates, enabling the ski to adapt flex characteristics based on applied loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed-stiffness materials are used in ski construction, then manufacturing is simple and consistent, but the ski cannot adapt to different snow conditions and load rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using non-Newtonian dilatant materials whose stiffness parameter dynamically changes in response to applied load rate. The material transitions from a softer state under low load rates (suitable for powder snow) to a stiffer state under high load rates (suitable for hard packed snow), allowing a single ski to adapt to different snow conditions without mechanical adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining non-Newtonian dilatant materials with traditional ski materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and wood in a laminated structure. This composite approach integrates the adaptive properties of non-Newtonian materials with the structural integrity and strength of conventional materials, achieving both adaptability and structural performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical adjustment means are added to change ski flex, then adaptability improves, but operation becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using non-Newtonian dilatant materials that automatically adjust the ski's stiffness based on the applied load rate without requiring user intervention. The material inherently responds to changing conditions (snow type, turning force, speed) by changing its mechanical properties, eliminating the need for manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment systems (such as threaded rods, nuts, and pre-load mechanisms) with a material-based solution using non-Newtonian dilatant materials. Instead of using mechanical components to change flex, the patent relies on the intrinsic rheological properties of the material to provide dynamic stiffness adjustment, simplifying the overall system
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 use of non-Newtonian materials in skis results in variable stiffness and damping, providing soft flex under low load rates and stiffer flex under high load rates, enhancing their suitability for diverse snow conditions without the need for mechanical adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
Non-Newtonian materials exhibit rate-sensitive, shear-thickening characteristics, with stress vs. strain properties dependent on the rate of loading. Thus, the material exhibits a greater resistance to force given a greater rate of loading, or impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A design for snowsports devices such as skis and snowboards uses non-Newtonian materials. Non-Newtonian materials exhibit rate-sensitive characteristics, with stress vs. strain properties dependent on the rate of loading. The snowsports device with non-Newtonian materials has variable stiffness and damping, with both increasing according to an increased applied load-rate such that a single snowsports device exhibits soft flex characteristics under low applied load-rates, but stiffer flex characteristics under high applied load-rates. The flex of the snowsports device is self-adjusting, with no manual adjustment input required by a user. The non-Newtonian material may be incorporated into the structure of the snowsports device in a number of different ways, including in the core, in composite sheet layers, and other locations.