Ski Shovel Material Recess and Layer Structure for Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skis with material recesses in the ski shovel face issues with weight reduction, vibration behavior, and stability, particularly in normal snow conditions where they tend to pick up snow instead of lifting over loose snow, and lack clear weight reduction while maintaining stability.

Innovation Solution

A ski design featuring a material recess in the ski shovel with a specific layer structure including a glass-fiber reinforced plastic bottom chord, a metal bottom chord that only extends to the edge of the recess, an elastic toe insert, and a transparent upper chord, which collectively reduce weight and improve vibration behavior while maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a material recess is provided in the ski shovel to reduce weight, then the weight of the ski shovel is reduced and vibration behavior is improved, but the ski tends to pick up snow through the hole in normal snow conditions instead of lifting over loose snow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of ski shovelVSAvoiddriving behavior in normal snow conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a material recess specifically in the ski shovel area rather than throughout the entire ski. This localized weight reduction improves vibration behavior and reduces moments of inertia in the critical shovel region while maintaining the structural integrity and snow interaction properties of the rest of the ski. The recess is positioned to optimize the weight-to-performance ratio without compromising overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials in the layer structure surrounding and supporting the material recess. Multiple layers with different material properties (varying densities, strengths, and flexibilities) are combined to create an optimized structure that achieves weight reduction while maintaining or improving driving behavior. The composite construction allows different zones to have tailored properties for their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple recesses are provided in the ski shovel to improve vibration behavior, then the vibration behavior and moments of inertia are improved, but the complexity of the layer structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration behaviorVSAvoidlayer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ski shovel into multiple functional layers, each with specific materials and properties. The layer structure is segmented into distinct components (different materials and construction techniques) that can be independently optimized for their specific functions while working together to achieve improved vibration behavior and reduced moments of inertia.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials to manage the complexity of the multi-layer structure. By combining materials with complementary properties in a systematic layer arrangement, the patent achieves improved vibration characteristics without requiring excessive structural complexity. The composite construction allows for optimized performance while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the metal bottom chord is extended over the material recess to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the weight reduction effect is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidweight of ski shovel
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the metal bottom chord to extend only to the edge of the material recess rather than covering the entire recess area. This localized reinforcement provides sufficient structural integrity at the critical boundary where stress concentration occurs, while leaving the central recess area open to achieve maximum weight reduction and vibration improvement benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves weight reduction, improved vibration behavior, and enhanced directional stability on bumpy ground, mimicking the optical effect of a 'hole ski' while preventing snow pickup, thus providing a smoother ride.

Implementation Method 1

upper chord made of glass fiber reinforced plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 2

toe insert made of elastic material such as rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The ski tip 2 bent up in the direction of travel, which ends in the tip 3 of the ski

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight reduction:

Implementation Method 4

metal upper chord

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStrength:

Data Source

PatentEP2158013B1Ski
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 KASTLE
  • EP2158013B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2158013B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a ski having a ski blade, the ski being configured in layers, the ski blade having at least one material recess, and the ski comprising at least one strap made of a high-strength opaque material, particularly metal, such as aluminum, and at least one strap made of a rigid translucent material, characterized in that the material recess (4) of the ski blade (2) is formed by cutouts of the strap(s) (7, 10) made of a high-strength opaque material, and that the at least one strap (6, 9) made of the rigid translucent material covers the material recess (4).