One-Piece Polymer Ski Jump Inrun Track for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inrun track systems for ski jumps face challenges with temperature fluctuations, as plastic materials warp at high temperatures and metal materials heat up, affecting durability and quality, while existing solutions are either expensive or difficult to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A modular inrun track system with a one-piece track trough body made from a polymer with a heat distortion temperature of 120-160°C, featuring integrally formed guide webs and coupling elements, allowing for easy assembly and temperature resistance across -35°C to 40°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inrun track system is made of plastic, then it is inexpensive to produce and easy to assemble, but it warps at high temperatures over 30°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the material by selecting a polymer with heat distortion temperature between 120-160°C, which fundamentally alters the temperature range where the material maintains its dimensional stability, allowing it to withstand high temperatures without warping while remaining easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by integrating multiple functional elements (track construction plate, guide webs, coupling elements) into a single polymer component, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and thermal stability through unified material selection
2Stability of the object's composition
If the inrun track system is made of metal, then it withstands temperature fluctuations, but it heats up to over 40°C in strong sunlight, affecting durability and quality of ice or ski surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal materials with cost-effective polymer materials that, while having different thermal properties, provide sufficient dimensional stability without the harmful effect of excessive heat absorption, thereby protecting the ice or ski surface quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal characteristics of the track system by selecting polymer materials with appropriate heat distortion temperatures, transforming the thermal behavior from harmful heat storage (metal) to controlled thermal response (polymer) that protects the underlying surface
3Ease of repair
If the track construction plates and guide webs are separately assembled, then it is easy to replace damaged parts, but it increases assembly complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (track construction plate, guide webs, coupling elements) into a single integrally formed polymer component, eliminating the need for complex assembly of multiple parts while maintaining the functionality of each element through precise molding
Solution Approach 2:
The single polymer component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support as a track construction plate, guides skis through integrated guide webs, and enables connection between segments via built-in coupling elements, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining repairability at the segment level
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 maintains dimensional stability and resilience under varying temperatures, reducing distortions and enhancing durability, while being cost-effective and easy to assemble, with the polymer exhibiting suitable tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact resistance.
Implementation Method 1
there is a risk of warping as a result of the material expansion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an inrun track element for forming an inrun track system for a ski jump, comprising a track base plate (1) and two guide ribs (2, 3) extending in a direction (E) and laterally delimiting the track base plate (1) as side walls, characterized in that the track base plate (1) and the two guide ribs (2, 3) are integrally formed such that they form a one-piece track groove body, which has the two guide ribs (2, 3) as side walls and two end faces (4, 5), such that at least one coupling element (21, 31) is formed on the track base plate (1) and/or the two guide ribs (2, 3) on one end face (4) and at least one further coupling element (22, 32) is formed on the track base plate (1) and/or the two guide ribs (2, 3) on the other end face (5). is, and that the one-piece track body is formed from a polymer,which has a heat deflection temperature in the range of 120 to 160°C, measured according to method A DIN EN ISO 75. Furthermore, the invention relates to a modular system comprising several start-up track elements, and a start-up track system comprising several mechanically coupled start-up track elements.