Cross-Country Ski Traction Mechanism with Sliding Platform

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical traction devices for skis often fail to provide optimal traction across varying snow conditions, require manual engagement and disengagement, and do not synchronize with the push-off and gliding phases of cross-country skiing, leading to inefficiencies and loss of traction.

Innovation Solution

A ski design featuring a sliding platform that moves longitudinally relative to the ski body, with gripping elements that extend perpendicularly to engage or disengage based on the platform's position, allowing for automatic traction adjustment without relying on heel lift or gravity, enabling seamless transition between push-off and gliding phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manually engaged traction devices are used, then traction can be provided when needed, but they cannot provide tractionless gliding and require manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction provisionVSAvoidmanual engagement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The traction device automatically engages and disengages based on the skier's weight distribution and ski position, eliminating the need for manual operation. The device serves itself by detecting when traction is needed versus when gliding should occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The traction elements are designed to dynamically adjust between engaged and disengaged states based on real-time skiing conditions, transitioning from static manual engagement to dynamic automatic adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Extent of automation

If heel-lift based mechanical engagement is used, then automated traction engagement occurs, but it is not synchronized with push-off and gliding phases causing lack of traction at push-off and drag during gliding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated engagementVSAvoidtraction timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses feedback from weight sensors and position sensors to detect the skier's phase in the skiing cycle, automatically adjusting traction element engagement timing to match push-off and gliding phases accurately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The traction elements engage before the push-off phase begins and disengage before the gliding phase begins, ensuring optimal traction availability without drag during transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If freely moveable traction element is used, then automatic engagement occurs through gravity and mechanical contact, but no traction is provided at the beginning of push-off and traction is lost on hard-packed snow or ice

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic engagementVSAvoidtraction consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The traction elements are positioned to engage with the snow surface before the push-off motion begins, ensuring immediate traction availability at the start of each push-off phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines gravitational force with active mechanical actuation to ensure reliable engagement of traction elements on various snow surfaces, including hard-packed snow and ice where pure gravity-based systems fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If wax is used for traction, then optimal results can be achieved in specific snow conditions, but it cannot yield optimal results in all snow conditions at all times and requires re-application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction effectivenessVSAvoidsnow condition adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical traction device provides universal traction capability across all snow conditions and temperatures, replacing the need for multiple wax types and making the ski system adaptable to any snow environment without modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10328331B2Mechanical traction for a cross-country ski

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 HITCH DOUGLAS A

AI summary

A snow ski has a longitudinal body defining a sole for gliding on the snow. The ski includes: (a) a platform slidably coupled to the body for sliding longitudinally relative to the body; and (b) a gripping element slidably and rotatably coupled to the body and rotatably coupled to the platform. The gripping element extends downward to penetrate the snow in response to the platform being slid rearward relative to the body. The gripping element retracts upward above the sole when the platform is slid forward relative to the body. First and second gripping elements may be disposed on opposing sides of the body. A locking mechanism selectively locks the platform at a forward position, in which the gripping element is retracted, one or more intermediate positions, or a rearward position in which the gripping element extends to penetrate the snow.A ski-traction kit for retrofitting a ski is provided.