Reflective Curling Broom Head for Ice Surface Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Current curling broom heads are inefficient in heating the ice surface, leading to increased friction and reduced distance and straightness of the curling rock's trajectory, as they do not effectively utilize the heat generated during the sweeping motion.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reflective constituent, such as a metalized fabric or foam pad, into the curling broom head to reflect infrared radiation back onto the ice surface, thereby enhancing ice surface heating without increasing the abrasive nature of the sweeping motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional curling broom head is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ice surface heating efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice surface temperatureVSAvoidbroom head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The broom head combines multiple materials with different functions: foam material for shock absorption and heat generation, fabric for friction and heat generation, and reflective material for heat reflection. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple functions into a single device, improving ice surface heating efficiency without requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the friction between the broom head and ice, which normally causes wear and damage, into a beneficial heat source. By incorporating reflective material, the friction-generated heat is reflected back onto the ice surface, transforming a harmful effect (ice damage) into a useful one (ice heating).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Temperature

If more abrasive materials are used to increase heating, then the ice surface heating efficiency improves, but the damage to the ice surface increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice surface temperatureVSAvoidice surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the friction between the broom head and ice, which normally causes wear and damage, into a beneficial heat source. By incorporating reflective material, the friction-generated heat is reflected back onto the ice surface, transforming a harmful effect (ice damage) into a useful one (ice heating).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective material acts as an intermediary that redirects the heat generated by friction back onto the ice surface. This mediator captures the heat that would otherwise be lost and redirects it to the target, improving heating efficiency without requiring increased friction or more abrasive materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If the sweeping effort is increased to heat the ice surface, then the ice surface temperature increases, but the energy consumption and player fatigue increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice surface temperatureVSAvoidsweeping energy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective material creates a feedback loop where heat generated by sweeping is reflected back onto the ice surface, increasing heating efficiency. This feedback mechanism amplifies the heating effect without requiring additional sweeping effort, allowing players to maintain lower energy expenditure while achieving better ice surface temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the friction between the broom head and ice, which normally causes wear and damage, into a beneficial heat source. By incorporating reflective material, the friction-generated heat is reflected back onto the ice surface, transforming a harmful effect (ice damage) into a useful one (ice heating).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 reflective constituent increases ice surface heating for the same sweeping effort, allowing for a longer and straighter trajectory of the curling rock while reducing damage to the ice surface by using less abrasive materials.

Implementation Method 1

infrared radiation generated by said user sweeping the ice is reflected by the reflective constituent back towards said ice surface for further heating up of the ice surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a reflective constituent selected to reflect infrared radiation incorporated into said curling broom head and located such that when said broom head is swept across the ice surface, infrared radiation generated by said user sweeping the ice is reflected by the reflective constituent back towards said ice surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The underside of the base has a layer of foam which may be bonded in place. This foam layer is for shock absorption and for spreading the head pressure evenly over the ice surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 4

The effectiveness of sweeping depends on the amount by which the ice surface is heated via the friction of the sweeping broom: more heat, more effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8677548B2Curling head for curling broom

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO

AI summary

A curling broom includes an elongate shaft having opposed first and second ends, the first end being graspable by a sweeper and being attached to a broom head attachment plate located at the second end. A curling broom head is attached to the broom head receptacle for sweeping an ice surface. The broom head includes a base section, a reflective constituent selected to reflect infrared radiation which can be a layer secured to a bottom surface of the base section, or the top of the woven fabric or both or a reflective powder incorporated into a foam pad attached to the base section, (or the foam pad being metalized), or an outer surface of an outer fabric layer being metalized and secured to the base section. Infrared radiation generated by sweeping the ice is reflected by the reflective layer back towards the ice surface for further heating the ice surface.