Snow gliding device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a snow gliding device comprising: a first gliding surface, a first layer for heating said first gliding surface, which first layer comprises: a positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound, a first and a second electrode, wherein said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound is at least partially sandwiched between said first and second electrode, and which first and second electrodes are adapted to provide a potential difference across said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound when connected to a power source, which first layer is arranged adjacent to and in thermal communication with said first gliding surface.

Claims

1. A snow gliding device (1) comprising a first gliding surface (10) a first layer (20) for heating said first gliding surface, which first layer comprises: a positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22) a first (24) and a second electrode (26), wherein said positive temperature coefficient superimposedimpedance polymeric compound (22) is at least partially sandwiched between said first (24) and second electrode (26), and which first and second electrodes (26) are adapted to provide a potential difference across said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22) when connected to a power source, which first layer is arranged adjacent to and in thermal communication with said first gliding surface; wherein said snow gliding device further comprises: a control circuitry for adjusting the potential difference provided to said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22) in correspondence with a predetermined value, which control circuitry comprises an interface adapted to receive said predetermined value manually or wirelessly entered into said interface.

2. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22) is a siloxane polymer compound comprising conducting particles.

3. A snow gliding device according to claim 2, further comprising a bottom layer (230) which comprises two major opposite surfaces, wherein said first gliding surface is one of said major opposite surfaces and wherein said first layer is embedded in said bottom layer.

4. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom layer (230) which comprises two major opposite surfaces wherein said first gliding surface is one of said major opposite surfaces and wherein said first layer is arranged in physical contact with the other of said opposite surfaces.

5. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom layer (230) which comprises two major opposite surfaces, wherein said first gliding surface is one of said major opposite surfaces and wherein said first layer is embedded in said bottom layer.

6. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor which provides said control circuitry with a signal comprising said predetermined value.

7. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined value corresponds to heating of said first surface to a temperature within the range of 5 C. as compared with the ambient temperature.

8. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said snow gliding device is a ski (301).

9. A system comprising a snow gliding device according to claim 1; a power source; and means for connecting said power source to said first and second electrodes.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said power source is a battery and/or a solar cell panel.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said power source is a battery.

12. A system according to claim 10 wherein said power source is a solar cell panel.

13. A system according to claim 10 wherein said power source is carried by the clothes worn by the user of said snow gliding device.

14. A method (400) for operating the snow gliding device comprising the following steps: providing (401) a snow gliding device according to claim 1; receiving a first entered value at said interface of the control circuit of said snow gliding device, which first value is wirelessly and/or manually entered into said interface; providing (403) a first predetermined value, which predetermined value is set based on said first entered value; applying (409) a first potential difference to said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound (22) based on said received predetermined value.

15. A method for operating the snow gliding device according to claim 14, wherein said step of providing a first predetermined value further comprises: identifying (505) the ambient temperature by means of a temperature sensor, and setting said predetermined value based on both said first entered value and an output from said temperature sensor.

16. A method for operating said snow gliding device according to claim 15, wherein said first predetermined value corresponds to heating of said first surface to a temperature within the range of 5 C. as compared with the ambient temperature.

17. A method for operating said snow gliding device according to claim 14, wherein said first predetermined value corresponds to heating of said first surface to a temperature within the range of 5 C. as compared with the ambient temperature.

18. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said snow gliding device is a snowboard (302).

19. A snow gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said snow gliding device is a sledge (303).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a snow gliding device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of a snow gliding device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of a snow gliding device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 3a-c is a snow gliding device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a method of operating a snow gliding device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a method of operating a snow gliding device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) In the present detailed description, embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with the accompanying figures. It should be noted that this by no means limits the scope of the invention, which is also applicable in other circumstances for instance with other types or variants of snow gliding devices than the embodiments shown in the appended drawings. Further, that specific features are mentioned in connection to an embodiment of the invention does not mean that those components cannot be used to an advantage together with other embodiments of the invention.

(9) In essence, a snow gliding device, e.g. a ski, a snowboard or a sledge is provided. The snow gliding device has a first layer which heats a first gliding surface in order to decreasing the friction between the snow, ice and/or artificial snow and the snow gliding device.

(10) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a snow gliding device 1. A vertical cross-section is taken along the transport direction of the snow gliding device 1. Moreover, the order and the configuration of the layers is the same also when a vertical cross-section is taken in a direction transverse to the transport direction of the snow gliding device 1. The snow gliding device 1 comprises a first gliding surface 10 and a first layer 20. The first layer 20 comprises a positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound 22 and a first 24 and a second electrode 26. The positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound 22 is a siloxane polymer compound comprising conducting particles.

(11) The first layer 20 comprises two major opposite surfaces wherein said first gliding surface 10 is arranged adjacent to and in thermal communication with said first layer 20 at one of said major opposite surfaces. The first layer 20 comprises the positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound 22 which is sandwiched between said first 24 and second electrode 26.

(12) The function of the first layer 20 is to heat the first gliding surface 20. The first 24 and second electrodes 26 are adapted to provide a potential difference across the positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound 22 when connected to a power source.

(13) FIGS. 2a and 2b shows a cross-sectional view of a snow gliding device 201. A vertical cross-section is taken along the transport direction of the snow gliding device 201. Moreover, the order and the configuration of the layers is the same also when a vertical cross-section is taken in a direction transverse to the transport direction of the snow gliding device 201. The snow gliding device 201 comprises a first gliding surface 210 and a first layer 220. The first layer 210 comprises a positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound 222 and a first 224 and a second electrode 226. Further, the snow gliding device comprises a bottom layer 230, which bottom layer 230 comprises two major opposite surfaces 232 and 234.

(14) As the snow gliding device 201 of FIGS. 2a and 2b is arranged in the same way as the snow gliding device described above, except that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a the first gliding surface 210 is the same as the major opposite surface 234. Moreover, the first layer 220 is arranged in physical contact with the opposite surfaces 232.

(15) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2b the first gliding surface is the same as the major opposite surface 234. Moreover, the first layer 220 is embedded in the bottom layer 230.

(16) FIG. 3a-c shows examples of a snow gliding devices. FIG. 3a shows cross-country skis 301 with several first gliding surfaces 310a. An alternative embodiment may be a cross-country ski with a first gliding surface extending throughout the area contacting e.g. snow, ice and/or artificial snow. FIG. 3b shows a snowboard 302 with a first gliding surface 310b, where the first gliding surface extends throughout the area contacting the e.g. snow, ice and/or artificial snow. The FIG. 3c shows a sledge 303 with a pair of first gliding surfaces 310c.

EXAMPLE

(17) 70 cm long and 40 mm wide grooves were cut both in the front and in the rear gliding parts of a pair of skis (Fischer Racing SCS), hence grooves were cut in the side of the ski closest which is in contact with the snow when in use on both sides of the fastening means of the ski. The grows were approximately 3-4 mm deep. Heat elements, comprising a PTC rubber from Conflux and electrodes, were arranged inside these grooves such that an even surface is achieved. Heat was provided to the snow gliding surface when the heat elements were connected via a wire to a lithium-battery (12V). The skis where tested in a 50 m long slightly downhill slope with a snow temperature of 2 C. at five different occasions, which occasions each comprised 10 tests, i.e. in total 50 tests were performed. When evaluating the test results it was concluded that the distance from the top of the hill to where the skis stopped gliding was approximately 27-31% longer when the battery was connected such that heat was provided to the gliding parts of the skis as compared to when no heat was provided.

(18) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a method 400 for operating the snow gliding device. The method 400 for operating the snow gliding device comprises the steps: providing 401 a snow gliding device, providing 403 a first predetermined value, applying 409 a first potential difference to the positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound based on the first predetermined value.

(19) According to an example embodiment of the invention the method 400 for operating the snow gliding device starts with the step of providing 401 a snow gliding device. The next step is providing 403 a predetermined value. The last step is applying 409 a first potential difference to the positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound based on the first predetermined value.

(20) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a method 500 for operating the snow gliding device. The method 500 for operating the snow gliding device comprises the steps: providing 501 a snow gliding device, providing 503 a first predetermined value, applying 509 a first potential difference to said positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound based on said first predetermined value. The step of providing 503 a fist predetermined value further comprises: identifying 505 the ambient temperature by means of a sensor. Moreover, the step of providing 503 a fist predetermined value further comprises: converting 507a said sensor reading to a first predetermined value, and/or manually setting 507b said first predetermined value via an interface, and/or wirelessly providing 507c a control circuitry with a signal comprising a value of said first predetermined value via said interface. The predetermined value corresponds to heating of said first surface by 1-10 C., or by more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 C. and/or by no more than 4, 5, 7, 9 C. as compared with the ambient temperature.

(21) According to an example embodiment of the invention the method 500 for operating the snow gliding device starts with the step of providing 501 a snow gliding device. The next step is providing 503 a predetermined value. The last step is applying 509 a first potential difference to the positive temperature coefficient superimposed impedance polymeric compound based on the first predetermined value. The step of providing 503 a predetermined value starts with identifying 505 the ambient temperature by means of a sensor and subsequently any of following steps can be chosen: converting 507a said sensor reading to a first predetermined value, and/or manually setting 507b said first predetermined value via an interface, and/or wirelessly providing 507c a control circuitry with a signal comprising a value of said first predetermined value via said interface. The predetermined value corresponds to heating of said first surface by 1-10 C., or by more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 C. and/or by no more than 4, 5, 7, 9 C. as compared with the ambient temperature.

(22) Specific embodiments of the invention have now been described. However, several alternatives are possible, as would be apparent for someone skilled in the art. The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

(23) For example, other snow gliding devices than a ski, a snowboard and/or a sledge can be equipped with the first layer as described here in. Moreover, the the snow gliding device may comprise more layers than the first layer and the bottom layer. In addition, the first gliding surface or the first gliding surfaces may be arrange on the snow gliding device in various ways.