Snow Ski Assemblies With Control Structures For Directional Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional snow skis are limited to movement in only a forward direction and require edges to turn and stop, which can lead to interference with snow and ice, restricting directional movement and acrobatic possibilities.
Innovation Solution
The design of snow ski assemblies featuring skis with rounded shapes, upturned peripheral regions, and control structures that allow for movement in any direction without edges, enabling smooth sliding and control through geometric and structural features like recesses and protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional snow skis with edges are used, then turning and stopping control is achieved, but directional movement is restricted and interference with snow and ice occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ski is designed with a rounded shape and upturned peripheral region instead of traditional flat edges, allowing the ski to slide freely in multiple directions without catching or interfering with the snow and ice surface
2Ease of operation
If edges are formed on snow skis, then turning control is enabled, but movement in multiple directions is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The upturned peripheral region creates a curved profile that naturally guides turning through geometry rather than sharp edges, enabling smooth directional changes while maintaining freedom to move in multiple directions
Solution Approach 2:
Control structures are placed at specific locations on the ski bottom wall to provide localized guidance without restricting overall directional freedom, allowing turning control while maintaining versatility
3Ease of operation
If control structures are added to the ski bottom wall, then movement control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Control structures are implemented as simple recesses or protrusions at specific locations on the bottom wall rather than complex mechanisms, providing effective movement control with minimal structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control structures utilize geometric parameters (depth, width, spacing of recesses or protrusions) to achieve movement control without adding mechanical complexity, relying on shape rather than mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A snow ski assembly is provided for use by an individual to slide across a snow covered surface, for example, under the force of gravity. The assembly includes a ski having a bottom wall for engaging the snow covered surface and an upturned peripheral region extending around a perimeter of the bottom wall. The bottom wall of the ski includes at least one control structure extending across at least a portion of the bottom wall, where the at least one control structure is configured to control a movement of the ski on the snow covered surface. The assembly also includes a mounting feature configured to couple a binding to the bottom wall of the ski, such that the individual can position a foot in the binding and use the ski to slide across the snow covered surface.