Ski Suspension System with Preload for Tip and Tail Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional skis are limited in their ability to achieve a wide range of turning radii and are unstable until edged to a significant angle, making it difficult for skiers to initiate subtle turns and maintain balance, especially for beginners and intermediate skiers.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a ski suspension system that applies a significant preload force and has a low spring rate, allowing for a wide range of turning radii and increased stability by keeping the tip and tail of the ski constantly pressured, even when the skier becomes imbalanced, and reducing penetration into the snow surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional skis are designed with high spring rate and no preload, then the ski can achieve sufficient stiffness for edge engagement, but the tip and tail remain unstable until significant edge angles are reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveski stiffnessVSAvoidtip and tail stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system applies a preliminary downward preload force to the tip and tail of the ski before the skier initiates a turn. This preliminary action ensures that the tip and tail are already pressed against the snow surface, providing immediate stability and edge engagement capability without requiring the skier to achieve significant edge angles first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spring rate parameter of the ski system by introducing a suspension system with a relatively low spring rate, which complements the preload force. This parameter change allows the ski to maintain tip and tail contact with the snow while still providing sufficient stiffness for effective edge engagement when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional skis have no preload force on tip and tail, then the ski structure remains simple, but the skier cannot initiate subtle turns and is confined to a narrow range of turn radii

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveski structureVSAvoidturning radius range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system applies a preliminary downward preload force to the tip and tail of the ski before the skier initiates a turn. This preliminary action ensures that the tip and tail are already pressed against the snow surface, providing immediate stability and edge engagement capability without requiring the skier to achieve significant edge angles first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spring rate parameter of the ski system by introducing a suspension system with a relatively low spring rate, which complements the preload force. This parameter change allows the ski to maintain tip and tail contact with the snow while still providing sufficient stiffness for effective edge engagement when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If conventional skis rely on tip and tail pressure from bending, then the ski can achieve turning force, but the skier must bend the ski into a severe arc before the tip and tail can grab the snow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturning forceVSAvoidturn initiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system applies a preliminary downward preload force to the tip and tail of the ski before the skier initiates a turn. This preliminary action ensures that the tip and tail are already pressed against the snow surface, providing immediate stability and edge engagement capability without requiring the skier to achieve significant edge angles first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spring rate parameter of the ski system by introducing a suspension system with a relatively low spring rate, which complements the preload force. This parameter change allows the ski to maintain tip and tail contact with the snow while still providing sufficient stiffness for effective edge engagement when needed.

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

This solution enables skiers to effortlessly transition between turns and maintain control, reducing the likelihood of falling and improving balance and stability, while also enhancing speed and responsiveness to terrain irregularities.

Implementation Method 1

designed to apply a vertical downward force to the tip and tail of the ski body... The spring may include damping elements and exhibit damping characteristics that are imparted to the attached ski

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The spring may include damping elements and exhibit damping characteristics that are imparted to the attached ski

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8794658B2Suspension system for a ski

Publication Date: 2014.08.05 WILSON ANTON F

AI summary

Suspension systems are provided for skis. In some implementations, the suspension system includes a spring-like element and a support structure configured to attach one end of the spring-like element to the central half of the longitudinal running length of a ski body. The spring-like element is configured so that the opposite end of the spring-like element contacts the ski body at a contact point on the front-most or rear-most fifth of the longitudinal running length of the ski body, and applies a downward force at the contact point such that the degree of free camber of the ski is increased relative to the natural free camber of the ski body without the suspension system attached.