Roller Ski Shock Absorber Layout for Snow-Like Impact Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller skis fail to effectively emulate the feel of snow skiing due to inadequate shock absorber systems, particularly in handling complex movements like diagonal stride and skating techniques, and abrupt impacts during kick-offs, leading to uncomfortable experiences.

Innovation Solution

A shock absorber device is integrated within the hollow end of a roller ski body, utilizing stretchable and compressible material between metal plates to absorb mechanical impacts from various directions, mimicking snow skiing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional shock absorber device is used with a long wheel carrier extending outside the backend, then the wheel can spin without interfering with the roller ski body, but the forces acting on the wheel create a large momentum on the centre of rotation which worsens the shock absorption performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel rotation freedomVSAvoidshock absorption performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the centre of rotation from a position outside the roller ski body to a position inside the roller ski body. This dimensional repositioning changes the moment arm length, reducing the momentum created by forces acting on the wheel while still allowing the wheel carrier to extend outside the backend for unrestricted wheel rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the wheel carrier outside the backend with the centre of rotation outside, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the centre of rotation inside the roller ski body while allowing the wheel carrier to still extend outward for proper wheel function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the wheel carrier is extended outside the backend with a distance larger than the wheel radius, then the wheel can spin without interference, but the wheel carrier becomes relatively long which increases the moment arm and worsens shock absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel spin freedomVSAvoidwheel carrier length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the centre of rotation inside the roller ski body rather than outside, which changes the geometric arrangement. This allows the wheel carrier to extend outside the backend for wheel rotation freedom while keeping the effective moment arm shorter, thus reducing the carrier length requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the shock absorber carrier is fixed to the roller ski body end while the wheel carrier is forced up or down by the wheel, then the rubber strip stretches and compresses to absorb shock, but the stretching of the rubber strip becomes the main action which may limit the types of movements that can be absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorption capabilityVSAvoidmovement type handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the wheel carrier movable relative to the roller ski body by allowing it to rotate about a centre of rotation positioned inside the body. This dynamic arrangement enables the wheel carrier to move up and down independently while the rubber strip provides elastic coupling, allowing the system to adapt to various movement types including diagonal stride and skating techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the wheel carrier from the shock absorber carrier, allowing the wheel carrier to rotate independently about a centre of rotation. This segmentation enables independent movement of the wheel carrier while the rubber strip connects the two carriers, providing shock absorption across multiple movement types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If a shock absorber device is integrated within the hollow end of the roller ski body, then the structure becomes more compact and stable, but the wheel attachment becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller ski stabilityVSAvoidwheel attachment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the centre of rotation inside the hollow end of the roller ski body, effectively nesting the rotational mechanism within the existing ski structure. The wheel carrier extends outside the backend while the pivot point remains inside, creating a compact integrated design that maintains stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 shock absorber device provides improved stability and comfort by softening impacts and emulating snow-like conditions, enhancing the training experience for both diagonal stride and skating techniques.

Implementation Method 1

the roller ski body and the wheel carrier bound together by a rubber strip (2) during vulcanization of the rubber strip (2)... stretching of the rubber strip (2) is the main action of the shock absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

rubber stripe (2) in the process of rubber vulcanization... stretching of the rubber strip (2) is the main action of the shock absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentEP4469172B1Roller ski comprising an improved shock absorber device
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 HGL INVEST AS
  • EP4469172B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4469172B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4469172B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is related to a roller ski with an adapted shock absorber device arrangeable inside a hollow backend of the roller ski body (16), wherein a first member (11) of the shock absorber device is supporting a backend wheel of the roller ski, a second member (14) is attachable to an inside surface of the hollow backend of the roller ski body (16), wherein a material strip (13) of a stretchable and compressible material is arranged in between the first and second member (11, 14).