Variable-Slope Ski Jump Landing Zone for Longer Airtime

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Solution Overview

Problem

Snowboard and/or ski jumping structures pose an increased risk of accidents as the difficulty of tricks performed increases, and existing structures do not allow for high-difficulty tricks without elevating the risk of falls.

Innovation Solution

A snowboard and/or ski jumping structure design featuring a variable slope landing zone with a sweet-spot zone configured to minimize the equivalent falling height, allowing for a wider range of take-off speeds and extended flying time without increasing accident risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the difficulty of tricks is increased, then the flying time is extended, but the risk of accidents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflying timeVSAvoidaccident risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the slope angle of the landing zone from a constant value to a variable value that changes along the riding direction. Specifically, the slope angle decreases as the distance from the take-off point increases, creating an optimized landing surface that reduces impact forces while maintaining extended flying time for high-difficulty tricks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the landing zone slope dynamic rather than static. The slope angle varies continuously along the riding direction, adapting to the rider's position and speed to provide optimal cushioning at different phases of the landing process, thereby reducing accident risk during extended flights

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If the take-off speed is increased, then the flying time is extended, but the equivalent falling height increases leading to higher accident risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflying timeVSAvoidequivalent falling height

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the slope angle parameter of the landing zone from constant to variable, where the angle decreases with distance from the take-off point. This parameter change allows the landing surface to better absorb impact forces from high-speed take-offs, effectively reducing the equivalent falling height while preserving extended flying time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing the landing zone with a pre-configured variable slope that anticipates the impact forces from high-speed take-offs. The slope is optimized in advance to provide progressive cushioning as the rider lands, mitigating the harmful effects of high equivalent falling height before impact occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4180097B1A snowboard and/or ski jumping structure and method of making said structure

Publication Date: 2026.05.06 PRINOTH SPA

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AI summary

A snowboard and/or ski jumping structure configured to be run along a riding direction (D) and made with snow of a ski area; the snowboard and/or ski jumping structure comprising a ramp (2, 102), in particular made with snow of the ski area, which comprises a transition zone (3, 103) and a take-off zone (4, 104), wherein the take-off zone (4, 104) is characterized by a take-off angle (Ad, AAd) at a take-off point (4a, 104a) of the take-off zone (4, 104); and a landing zone (5, 105), particularly made with snow of the ski area, comprising a first zone (6, 106), preferably a sweet-spot zone, and a second zone (7, 107), preferably a critical zone; wherein the sweet-spot zone (6, 106) has variable slopes along the riding direction (D).