Vented Ski With Modified Keel for Snowmobile Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snow skis used on snowmobiles often experience snow impact, leading to loss of steering and control, requiring excessive effort to maneuver, especially with deeper keels which are difficult to handle.
Innovation Solution
A vented ski design featuring one or more vents and a modified short but deep keel, where the vents direct snow away from the ski, combined with a shorter keel that is less than one-third the length of the ski, allowing improved contact and easier control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deeper keel is used to prevent snow impact, then snow control is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ski is segmented into two functional zones: a deep keel at the rear for snow control and a shorter overall keel length for maneuverability. The vent system is also segmented with multiple openings distributed along the keel to manage snow at different locations independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the ski have different keel depths optimized for their specific functions. The rear portion has a deeper keel (2-4 inches) for snow control while the front portion has a shallower keel for ease of maneuvering, creating local quality variations along the ski length.
2Reliability
If a longer keel is used to maintain contact with snow, then steering control is improved, but maneuvering effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a full-length deep keel, the patent applies a deep keel only to the necessary rear portion of the ski where snow control is most critical. This partial action provides sufficient steering control without the excessive maneuvering effort that would result from a full-length deep keel.
Solution Approach 2:
The keel depth parameter is changed from the conventional uniform depth to a variable depth profile, with deeper sections at the rear and shallower sections at the front. This parameter change optimizes the balance between steering control and maneuvering effort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vents are added to direct snow away, then snow impact is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system is merged with the existing keel structure, with vents integrated into the keel body rather than being separate components. This combining approach prevents snow impact while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The keel structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, directs snow away through integrated vents, and maintains contact with the snow surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
The vented ski maintains better connection to the snowy surface, enabling easier direction changes and improved control over snowmobiles by preventing snow impact and reducing maneuvering effort.
Implementation Method 1
The vents are typically closed on a top surface, which acts as a guide surface, and has at least one side, such that the vent directs snow away from the ski
Data Source
AI summary
A ski having vents for venting snow from beneath the ski to a location above the ski and a modified keel that provides for greater and easier directional control over the ski relative to a conventional ski.