Ski Carrier Clamp with Nesting Flexible Members
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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 inferior performance under strong forces such as in crash situations.
Innovation Solution
A ski carrier clamp design featuring elongate base and top parts with flexible clamp members that can laterally pass each other, allowing for reduced height when unloaded, improved wind resistance, and enhanced structural integrity through a locking mechanism with a flexible locking wire for increased crash resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ski carrier clamp is designed with a certain height to accommodate flexible members and mounting structures, then the flexible support and mounting capability are improved, but the wind resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible clamp members are designed to nest within the elongate base part when not in use, allowing the clamp to adopt a compact configuration that reduces its height and wind resistance while maintaining the flexible support capability when needed for loading
2Ease of operation
If screws are positioned close to the ends of the ski carrier 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 supporting surface
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting structure with a recess is introduced as an intermediary element that provides access to the cross bar attachment screws without requiring the screws to be positioned at the ends of the clamp, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and full-length flexible member support
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the clamp members are designed to laterally pass each other for compact nesting, then the wind resistance is reduced, but the structural integrity under strong forces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp members are designed with dynamic positioning capability - they can laterally pass each other for compact nesting during normal operation to reduce wind resistance, while the locking mechanism provides static structural integrity when strong forces occur during crashes
4Strength
If a locking mechanism with flexible locking wire is added to improve crash resistance, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible locking wire is used instead of rigid locking components, providing crash resistance through a simple, elegant mechanism that avoids complex structural designs while maintaining the required strength
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 nest closely when unloaded and providing strong force transfer during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
carrying a first flexible clamp member extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongate base part
Implementation Method 2
The locking mechanism comprises a flexible locking wire for locking the elongate top part and the elongate base part to one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A ski carrier clamp (1) mountable on a cross bar of a vehicle roof carrier is provided. The ski carrier clamp (1) comprises an elongate base part (2) carrying a first flexible clamp member (3) extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongate base part (2), and an elongate top part (4) having a second flexible clamp member (5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongate top part (4). The elongate top part (4) is movably coupled to the elongate base part (2) so that the second flexible clamp member (5) is movable with respect to the first flexible clamp member (3). The first flexible clamp member (3) and the second flexible clamp member (5) are arranged such that at least portions thereof are able to laterally pass each other upon moving the elongate base part (2) and the elongate top part (4) towards each other.