Ski Core Recess for Flexural Rigidity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional carving skis face difficulties in initiating turns due to uneven flexural rigidity distribution, causing the front part of the ski to grip strongly into the snow, making it hard for average skiers to control the entire active length of the ski.

Innovation Solution

A ski design featuring a recess in the core adjacent to the upper chord, filled with compressible material, allowing the upper chord to deviate towards the neutral fiber under pressure, reducing flexural rigidity and increasing flexibility, especially in the front area, enabling easier turning and maintaining optimal gliding properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the core in the middle of the ski is made much stronger than in the front and tail areas, then optimal pressure distribution is achieved when applying force in the active area, but the ski grips strongly into the snow in the front part when turning, making it difficult for average skiers to initiate turns over the entire active length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidturn initiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a recess in the core structure specifically in the front area (shovel region) of the ski, while maintaining the full core thickness in other areas. This localized modification reduces flexural rigidity only where needed for easier turn initiation, without compromising the overall structural integrity and pressure distribution properties of the ski.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of flexural rigidity by removing core material in the front area to create a recess. This parameter change allows the ski to have variable bending characteristics along its length, making it easier to initiate turns in the front area while maintaining optimal performance in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the ski is designed with high flexural rigidity in the front area for stable gliding, then optimal gliding behavior is achieved when skiing straight ahead, but the ski becomes difficult to control and initiate turns when edging into the snow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegliding behaviorVSAvoidturn control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a recess in the core structure specifically in the front area (shovel region) of the ski, while maintaining the full core thickness in other areas. This localized modification reduces flexural rigidity only where needed for easier turn initiation, without compromising the overall structural integrity and pressure distribution properties of the ski.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of flexural rigidity by removing core material in the front area to create a recess. This parameter change allows the ski to have variable bending characteristics along its length, making it easier to initiate turns in the front area while maintaining optimal performance in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for continuous or abrupt decrease in bending resistance with increasing force, facilitating easier turns for average skiers while maintaining optimal gliding performance straight ahead, as the ski springs back to its original shape when straightened.

Implementation Method 1

a recess (4) between the upper chord (1) and the lower chord (2) of the core (3), into which a compressible material is introduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the compressible material allows the upper belt, which is subject to pressure, to deviate in the at least one section towards the neutral fiber of the construction complex when the ski sags

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2206538B1Ski
Publication Date: 2011.05.25 HEAD TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP2206538B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2206538B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2206538B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The carving ski has a top chord (1), a bottom chord (2) and a core (3) arranged between the upper and lower chords. The ski has a section, in which the core has a recess (4) adjacent to the upper chord. The compressible material comprises of rubber, silicone, flexible polyurethane-foams.