Ski Suspension System Reducing Spring Rate for Turning Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skis are limited in their ability to achieve a wide range of turning radii due to high spring rates, making it difficult for skiers to initiate subtle turns and maintain stability, especially for lighter skiers, and are prone to instability and stiffness over uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a suspension system that applies preload forces to the tip and tail of the ski, reducing the spring rate and allowing for a broad range of turning radii, increased stability, and improved responsiveness to surface irregularities by distributing the skier's weight more evenly and providing additional pressure through centrifugal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional skis use high spring rate design, then stability is improved, but turning radius adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ski is divided into three functional segments: tip section with independent spring element, middle section with boot binding, and tail section with independent spring element. This segmentation allows each end to independently adjust its spring rate, enabling a wide range of turning radii while maintaining overall stability through the coupled spring system.
2Strength
If conventional skis are designed as stiff leaf springs, then edge engagement is improved, but responsiveness to subtle inputs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements at the tip and tail of the ski are designed with different properties than the main ski body. These localized spring elements have optimized stiffness characteristics that allow subtle bending responses to small skier inputs, while the main ski body maintains sufficient stiffness for strong edge engagement with the snow surface.
3Force
If conventional skis concentrate weight under the boot, then turning force is improved, but tip and tail stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The independent spring elements at the tip and tail act as counterbalancing mechanisms that distribute the skier's weight more evenly across the entire ski length. This weight distribution compensates for the concentrated load under the boot, maintaining tip and tail stability while preserving the turning force generated by edge engagement.
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 stability across various terrain conditions, enhancing control and speed while reducing the ski's reactivity to surface irregularities, resulting in a smoother ride and increased maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension system connected to the ski body so as to apply a vertical downward force to the first and second ends of the ski body
Implementation Method 2
providing additional pressure through centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
sufficient longitudinal spring force to allow the ski to bend into an arc when angled, and then straighten out when placed flat
Data Source
AI summary
Skis and methods of skiing are provided. In some implementations, the skis include a preload, and/or have a relatively low spring rate. In one aspect, the skis include (a) a ski body having a front and a back, the front and back terminating, respectively, at a tip and tail at opposite ends of the ski body; and (b) a suspension system connected to the ski body so as to apply a load to the front and back of the ski body. In some cases, the suspension system is configured to provide the ski with a spring rate that diminishes as the ski is flexed from a normal unloaded state or a predetermined state of deflection to a state of greater deflection.