Variable Section Reinforcement Layer for Ski Tip Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alpine skis with widened tips or tails for improved lift in powdery snow often suffer from increased rigidity, leading to poor deformation and handling issues on harder snow due to the extension of reinforcing layers to the end of the spatula, which enhances bending and torsion stiffness but makes the ski less maneuverable.
Innovation Solution
The internal structure of the ski features a reinforcement layer that narrows progressively towards the end, optimizing bending and torsional rigidity by reducing the material section as it approaches the tip or tail, allowing controlled deformation and improved edge behavior during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the reinforcing layer extends to the end of the spatula to improve lift in powdery snow, then the lift performance is improved, but the bending and torsion stiffness increases making the ski less maneuverable on harder snow
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing layer is designed with variable thickness along its length, being thickest near the contact line and gradually thinning toward the end of the spatula. This local variation in reinforcement density allows the ski to have high stiffness where needed for lift and edge holding, while maintaining flexibility at the tip for maneuverability on harder snow surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the reinforcing layer, specifically its thickness and cross-sectional area, as a function of position along the ski. This parameter variation enables the reinforcing layer to provide different mechanical properties at different locations, resolving the contradiction between overall stiffness and tip flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the point of maximum width is pushed forward beyond the front contact line to improve lift, then the lift on powdery snow is improved, but the rigidity of the spatula increases modifying the necessary deformation on harder snow
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing layer is positioned and dimensioned to provide localized stiffness enhancement in the forward region of the spatula without extending uniformly to the tip. This creates a gradient of mechanical properties that allows the forward section to maintain rigidity for lift while the rear section remains more flexible for proper deformation characteristics.
3Strength
If the reinforcing layer is made extensive to cover the entire spatula for structural integrity, then the structural strength is improved, but the bending stiffness increases reducing the ski's ability to deform properly
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing layer's cross-sectional dimensions are varied along its length, with the thickness and width being greatest near the contact line and progressively decreasing toward the spatula end. This parameter gradient maintains structural integrity where loads are highest while allowing controlled bending flexibility where needed for ski performance.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A snowboard (1) having, near one of its front (6) and/or rear (7) ends, a point of maximum width (4.9) located beyond the front (3) and/or rear (8) contact line, beyond which the rise of the board is defined, said board having an internal structure including: a core (12) extending over the major part of the board;and at least one layer of mechanical reinforcement (2) resting directly or indirectly on said core (12), extending inside the upstand of the board beyond the front contact line (4) and/or rear contact line (8), characterized in that at least one of the reinforcement layers (20) has an extreme longitudinal point (24) located at an intermediate level between the contact line (3) and the extreme point (6) of the upstand of the board, and in that in a defined area between the contact line (3) and the point of maximum width (4), said reinforcement layer has a total cross-section, measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board, which is globally decreasing as it moves towards the extreme point (6) of the upstand of the board.