Ski carrier clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski carrier clamps on vehicle roof carriers face issues with high wind resistance, limited flexible support due to screw access configurations, and inadequate performance under strong forces such as in crash situations.
Innovation Solution
A ski carrier clamp design featuring elongate base and top parts with moveable flexible clamp members that can laterally pass each other, allowing for reduced height when unloaded, improved wind resistance, and enhanced structural integrity through asymmetric shapes and deformation patterns, along with a hinge mechanism and locking system for secure mounting and crash resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the ski carrier clamp is designed with a certain height to provide sufficient support for winter sport gear, then the supporting function is improved, but the wind resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed to be movable between an open position (for loading gear) and a closed position (for reducing wind resistance). The top part can rotate about a hinge axis, allowing the clamp to dynamically adjust its height. When closed, the clamp presents a smaller surface area to the wind, reducing drag, while still providing adequate support for the gear during transport.
2Ease of operation
If screws are mounted close to the ends of the clamp for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the flexible members cannot extend over the entire length leading to loss of usable supporting surface
Solution Approach 1:
A release member is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to operate the locking system. The release member can be actuated from the end of the clamp, providing easy access for operation without requiring direct access to screws located near the ends. This allows the flexible members to extend over the entire length of the base part, maximizing the supporting surface area while maintaining ease of operation through the release member.
3Reliability
If the clamp structure is made robust to withstand strong forces in crash situations, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is constructed using composite materials, specifically an aluminum alloy base part combined with rubber or thermoplastic elastomer flexible members. This composite construction provides both the necessary strength to withstand crash forces and the flexibility needed for the clamp's operation. The aluminum alloy provides structural integrity and crash resistance, while the rubber or thermoplastic elastomer components provide flexibility and cushioning, achieving reliable crash performance without excessive structural complexity.
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 wind resistance, enhances flexible support, and improves crash performance by allowing the clamp members to deform and nest closely, while the hinge and locking mechanisms ensure secure mounting and retention of winter sports gear.
Implementation Method 1
the first flexible clamp member and the second flexible clamp member are arranged such that at least portions thereof are able to laterally pass each other upon moving the elongate base part and the elongate top part towards each other
Implementation Method 2
an elongate base part and an elongate top part hingedly coupled to the elongate base part
Implementation Method 3
In a locked condition, the elongate base part and the elongate top part extend substantially parallel and allow clamping of winter sport gear between the same
Data Source
AI summary
A ski carrier clamp mountable on a cross bar of a vehicle roof carrier includes an elongate base part having a first end portion and a second end portion, an elongate top part having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a hinge mechanism having a guiding portion coupled to the elongate base part and a guided element slidably disposed in the guiding portion. The hinge mechanism couples the first end portion of the elongate base part to the first end portion of the elongate top part. The first end portion of the elongate base part and the first end portion of the elongate top part are configured to move with respect to each other.