Ski Jump Track Thermal Decoupling via Segmented Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski facility devices face challenges in compensating for temperature fluctuations and thermal expansion, as receptacles for snow or ice are firmly connected to a carrier plate, making it difficult to manage length changes and thermal separation from the subsurface.

Innovation Solution

A device with parallel, offset components connected by a side wall and supported by elements on the substructure, allowing for thermal decoupling and better compensation of length changes, featuring temperature control modules, sensors, and fluoropolymer sliding elements for year-round operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If receptacles for snow or ice are firmly connected to a carrier plate, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion compensation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidthermal expansion compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate components: the substructure, the component with receptacles, and support elements. This segmentation allows the receptacles to be thermally decoupled from the substructure while maintaining structural stability through the support elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support elements act as intermediaries between the substructure and the component. They provide mechanical support while thermally decoupling the component from the substructure, enabling both structural stability and thermal expansion compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If receptacles are thermally connected to the ground, then installation simplicity is improved, but thermal decoupling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidthermal decoupling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements serve as thermal intermediaries that are spaced from the substructure, creating thermal barriers while maintaining mechanical support. This allows the component to be thermally decoupled from the ground.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support elements are designed with spacing from the substructure, creating thermal insulation gaps that prevent direct thermal contact while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Area of stationary object

If winter and summer lanes are arranged alternately, then space utilization is improved, but lane width requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidlane width
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging winter and summer lanes at different heights. The component is offset from the substructure, allowing alternating lanes to be positioned at different elevations, thereby reducing horizontal space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The alternating lanes are nested vertically within the same horizontal footprint. The component structure allows one lane to be positioned above another, effectively nesting the winter and summer routes in the vertical dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables all-year-round use of ski facilities without conversion, reduces space requirements, and maintains consistent running surface characteristics between winter and summer, with improved sliding properties and reduced ice formation.

Implementation Method 1

temperature control modules can also be arranged in the substructure and/or on the component, so that a constant temperature of the routes can be set

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

In order to reduce or completely prevent the formation of ice on the underside of the component, the component can be heated by the tempering modules on the substructure and/or the underside of the component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The snow or ice in the device can be cooled with the aid of the temperature control modules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

A disadvantage is seen in the fact that the receptacles for snow or ice and/or for sliding elements are firmly connected to a carrier plate, which means that expansions caused by temperature fluctuations can only be compensated for with difficulty

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 5

particularly good sliding properties can be achieved if the component and/or the sliding elements and/or the roadway limiting devices consist of fluoropolymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLow friction coefficient: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1965873B1Device for a ski facility
Publication Date: 2013.01.30 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP1965873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1965873B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for a ski facility, in particular a ski jump facility or cross-country skiing course, which has a substructure and at least one track for winter/summer operation. The object of the invention is to create a device that can better compensate for different length changes, in particular at the temperature differences between summer and winter, and permits substantial thermal separation between undersoil and the holders for snow and ice and/or for slide elements. According to the invention, this is achieved by the fact that a structural part that has surfaces which are offset vertically approximately parallel to the substructure and are connected to one another by at least one side wall is operatively connected to support elements arranged on the substructure and is arranged at a distance from the substructure.