Snow Mobility Device With Curved Deck And Retractable Cleats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow mobility devices, such as snowshoes and skis, are inadequate for traversing flat or gently-sloped terrain and are impractical for carrying due to their design limitations, with snowshoes not allowing gliding or sliding motions and skis being difficult to carry.
Innovation Solution
A snow mobility device with a planar deck featuring curved front and rear portions, triangular rails for snow funneling, and retractable 'V'-shaped cleats that can be extended or retracted for variable traction, allowing for walking, gliding, and sliding on snow and ice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If snowshoes are used, then stability on snow is improved, but gliding and sliding motions are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a rocker bottom configuration where the middle portion is curved upwardly relative to the front and rear portions, creating a dynamic surface that automatically adjusts between walking stability and gliding motion. This dynamic geometry allows the device to transition between different modes of movement depending on the terrain and user action.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the device have different functional qualities: the front and rear portions are designed for stability and traction during walking, while the middle portion is curved to enable gliding and sliding. This local differentiation of functional properties allows the device to perform multiple functions simultaneously or sequentially.
2Adaptability or versatility
If skis are used, then gliding and sliding motions are enabled, but the device is difficult to carry and not practical for flat terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional portions (front, middle, rear) that can be independently optimized. The modular design with separate rails and cleat assemblies allows for compact configuration that is easier to carry than traditional skis while maintaining gliding capability through the curved middle portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can walk on flat terrain using the stable front and rear portions, glide downhill using the curved middle portion, and adjust traction using the retractable cleats. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for different terrain types.
3Force
If fixed traction elements are used, then grip on snow is improved, but adaptability to different terrains is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat assemblies are designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing the user to dynamically adjust the traction elements based on terrain conditions. The cleats can be extended into the snow for enhanced grip when needed and retracted to reduce drag on flat or groomed surfaces, providing adaptive traction control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides preliminary traction adjustment capability through the retractable cleat mechanism, allowing the user to prepare for different terrain conditions by extending or retracting the cleats before encountering specific terrain types, thereby optimizing performance in advance.
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 efficient mobility on snow and ice by providing stability, control, and adjustable traction, allowing users to walk, glide, and slide on various terrains while being lightweight and easy to carry.
Implementation Method 1
The rails may be generally parallel along their lengths except for along the front portion where they diverge outwardly from each other, to define a funnel that guides snow into the space between the rails.
Implementation Method 2
The snow mobility device may further comprise one or more retractable cleats coupled to the deck. The cleats may be generally 'V'-shaped.
Data Source
AI summary
A snow mobility device that defines a longitudinal axis, the snow mobility device having a generally planar deck with a top surface and a bottom surface, the deck defining a front portion, a rear portion, a middle portion, and outer edges. The middle portion is generally flat and the front and rear portions are each curved upwardly. The edges are rounded. There are at least two rails extending outwardly from the bottom surface along all of the middle portion and at least some of each of the front and rear portions of the deck, the rails spaced from one another and essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the snow mobility device.