Roller Ski Calf Support Stops for Low-Fatigue Balance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller skis require significant muscle strength and endurance due to the need for users to compensate for calf support pivoting during changes in speed, acceleration, or braking, making them difficult for beginners and causing fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A roller ski design featuring stops that limit the forward pivoting of the calf support beyond a predetermined angle, allowing the user to lean their leg forward for support by the frame, reducing muscle effort for balance maintenance, with adjustable and cushioned stops for comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the calf support is allowed to pivot freely during changes in speed, acceleration, or braking, then the roller ski can adapt to speed changes, but the user must use significant muscle strength to compensate for the pivoting and maintain balance
Solution Approach 1:
The stops are configured to automatically limit the forward pivoting of the calf support to a predetermined angle without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates the pivoting motion through the mechanical stops, eliminating the need for the user to continuously adjust muscle effort to maintain balance during speed changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of calf support pivoting by introducing stops that constrain the pivoting angle to a predetermined value. This transforms the unrestricted pivoting motion into a controlled motion with a fixed angular parameter, thereby reducing the muscle effort required by the user to maintain balance.
2Speed
If the calf support pivots freely during deceleration, then the roller ski can respond to braking forces, but the user experiences fatigue due to repeated muscle efforts to maintain balance
Solution Approach 1:
The stops automatically limit the calf support pivoting during deceleration without requiring continuous user adjustment. The mechanical stops self-regulate the pivoting motion, allowing the roller ski to respond to braking forces while eliminating the need for repeated muscle efforts that cause fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The stops are pre-configured to limit the pivoting angle before the user needs to exert muscle effort. By establishing the pivoting limitation in advance through the stops' mechanical configuration, the system prepares to constrain the calf support motion before fatigue can set in during prolonged use.
3Ease of operation
If the calf support is constrained to a fixed angle, then the user can reduce muscle effort, but the roller ski loses adaptability to different user preferences and heights
Solution Approach 1:
The stops are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing the predetermined pivoting angle to be dynamically changed according to user preferences and height. This transforms the static angle constraint into a dynamic, adjustable parameter, enabling the system to adapt to different users while maintaining the benefit of reduced muscle effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stop mechanism divides the pivoting angle range into discrete adjustable positions. This segmentation allows the user to select from multiple predetermined angles that suit their preferences and height, providing adaptability while maintaining the core benefit of reduced muscle effort through constrained pivoting.
4Manufacturing precision
If the stops are made rigid for precise angle limitation, then the pivoting is well-controlled, but the user experiences discomfort during contact
Solution Approach 1:
Cushioning elements are integrated into the stops to provide comfort during contact with the calf support. The cushioning elements are positioned beforehand to absorb the impact when the calf support contacts the stops, thereby maintaining precise angle control while improving user comfort during the pivoting motion.
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 design reduces user fatigue and improves balance control, making roller skiing easier and safer by automatically locking the calf support at a predetermined angle during deceleration and enabling muscle-free weight shifting during acceleration.
Implementation Method 1
each stop includes an elastically deformable buffer allowing cushioning when the calf support and the frame are brought into contact at the predetermined angle of inclination
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a roller ski (1) comprising a frame (2) and a calf support (3) pivotally mounted on the frame (2), characterized in that the roller ski (1) further comprises two stops (4) configured to bring the calf support (3) and the frame (2) into a predetermined angle of inclination when the calf support (3) is pivoted forward, and to limit the forward pivoting of the calf support (3) beyond the predetermined angle of inclination. The invention also relates to a retrofit modification kit for an existing roller ski (1).