Pivotable Ski Pole Support Member for Efficient Force Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross-country ski poles lack efficiency and comfort during the end phase of pole-pushing, particularly due to inadequate support and stability, leading to high pushing frequencies and instability for skiers.
Innovation Solution
A ski pole design featuring a pivotably connected support member positioned 1 cm or more from the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, providing a rigid and adjustable support system that allows efficient moment transfer and increased stability, with additional support portions for the hand and a bracing strap for secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional strap is used as holding means, then the structure is simple, but the efficiency and comfort during end phase of pole-pushing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be rotatable relative to the shaft, allowing it to dynamically adapt its position during the pole-pushing cycle. In the end phase, it rotates to provide optimal support at the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, maximizing force transfer efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the hand and the shaft, specifically supporting the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. This intermediary structure enables more efficient force transfer during the end phase of pole-pushing without requiring complete redesign of the entire holding means
2Volume of moving object
If the support member is positioned close to the shaft, then the structure is compact, but the moment transferable to the shaft is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support member extends perpendicular to the shaft axis, creating a lever arm in a dimension orthogonal to the shaft length. This dimensional extension maximizes the moment transferable to the shaft without increasing the overall length of the pole, achieving both compactness and high moment transfer
3Ease of operation
If the grip of the hand around the hand grip is loosened, then comfort is improved, but stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the hand grip itself and relocated to a separate support member positioned at the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. This extraction allows the hand to loosen its grip on the hand grip for comfort while the support member independently maintains hand stability during the end phase of pole-pushing
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
Enhances the efficiency and comfort of pole-pushing by increasing the moment transferred to the shaft, reducing pushing frequency, and improving stability, especially beneficial for sprint races by allowing a more favorable force direction and prolonged end phase.
Implementation Method 1
A location of said pivotable connection at such a distance results in a substantially increased moment transferable to said shaft at said end phase of a pole-pushing
Implementation Method 2
Thanks to the location of said pivotable connection of the support member to the shaft a prolonged lever arm and by that moment transferred from said support member to the shaft will result in said end phase of a pole-pushing making this more efficient
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~9
Figure 10~12
AI summary
A ski pole has holding means configured to hold a hand of a user of the ski pole substantially fastened to an upper end portion of a shaft (2) of the ski pole and comprises a substantially rigid support member (7) having first support portions (8) adapted to form a substantially rigid support to at least portions of the palm of a said user while allowing the hand of the user to grip around a hand grip (3) on the shaft in a first base position of the support member. The support member is pivotably connected to said shaft.