Ski End Cap Segmentation for Seal Skin Hook Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alpine skis with convex or sharply rounded heel contours face issues with seal skin attachment, as hooks tend to slip, leading to poor fixation, and modifying the ski heel for better attachment is unsightly and limited to specific skiing styles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating end caps with breakable portions and cavities that define a cutting line, allowing for easy manual separation of the heel tip, providing a secure and adjustable attachment for seal skins without altering the ski's appearance or limiting its use to specific styles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hooks are used to attach seal skins to skis with convex or sharply rounded heel contours, then the attachment method is simple and universal, but the hooks tend to slip and fail to provide secure fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The heel cap is divided into a first portion (retaining original convex contour) and a second portion (with rectilinear or concave contour). This segmentation allows the ski to maintain its aesthetic original appearance while providing a separate secure attachment surface for seal skin hooks, resolving the contradiction between universal attachment and fixation security.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion of the heel cap acts as an intermediary element between the original heel contour and the seal skin hooks. It provides a dedicated rectilinear or concave surface that ensures secure hook attachment without requiring modification of the original heel, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If the ski heel is modified to provide a notch for secure hook attachment, then the fixation security is improved, but the ski appearance becomes unsightly and it is limited to specific skiing styles
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the heel cap into two distinct portions, the invention allows the first portion to maintain the original aesthetic contour while the second portion provides the functional notch for secure attachment. This resolves the contradiction by separating appearance and function into different segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The rectilinear or concave contour is applied locally to the second portion of the heel cap, specifically where needed for hook attachment, while the first portion retains its original aesthetic quality. This local modification ensures fixation security without compromising overall ski appearance or versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a removable end piece with breakable portion is used, then the seal skin attachment can be adjusted for different ski types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heel cap is segmented into two portions connected by a breakable connection, allowing the second portion to be removed and replaced based on different ski types and seal skin attachment needs. This provides adaptability while keeping the base structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakable connection is pre-designed into the heel cap structure, allowing users to easily separate the two portions when needed. This preliminary preparation simplifies the adjustment process, making the system adaptable without requiring complex tools or procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A board (1) comprising at least one end piece (2) having a substantially straight or convex outer contour and one or more cavities defining a cut line (5) and the boundary of a breakable portion (6). When the breakable portion is separated from the end piece, the latter has an outer contour segment that is concave.