DE20110399U1 - Sliding elements, for example snow sliding elements, with improved properties - Google Patents

Description

Sliding elements, for example snow sliding elements, with improved properties. International patent classification. A63C 5/04 Ski Formation of ski surface

This invention relates in particular to sliding elements, for example snow sliding elements, whose surfaces are provided by special structures and by

lO^ combinations of materials, surface changes and other form, material and function changing measures can be improved so that the sliding element has advantages, both in the area of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic frictional resistance (reduction of turbulence and influencing of flow separation or flow separation behavior), as well as in the area of gliding on the respective surface, in addition to this, it is optimized in its function / becomes safer in use and also contamination / icing is reduced.

This invention can be applied to all surfaces of objects that are exposed to frictional resistance during movement, e.g. due to air friction (gas mixture) or liquid friction (water), but also due to friction processes on, with or with solids, or any combination of these aggregate states, or combinations of mixtures or blends of the same aggregate states. The purpose of this invention is to achieve improved frictional resistance values, particularly in static and sliding friction processes, or any combination of these types of friction with each other. Furthermore, this invention includes the reduction of all sliding friction effects that occur between moving bodies with moving or non-moving materials/media, as well as between all non-moving bodies with moving materials/media.

Furthermore, by applying the invention accordingly, the improved surfaces of the sliding elements result in both an improved, safer function of the surface elements (binding, ski brake, etc.) and a considerable reduction in the icing/contamination (deposition of undesirable materials on the surface) of these elements, which optimizes the use and comfort of the sliding elements.

State of the art

It makes sense to best present information on the state of the art using concrete application examples of sliding elements, in particular snow sliding elements (e.g. alpine skis).
The running surfaces of the skis produced today are made of inexpensive polymers, such as polyethylene, and usually have small notches running in the direction of travel (lengthwise), which replace the central groove that was previously common.

PE is an inexpensive material which, due to its thermoplastic properties, can be molded into the appropriate shape with minimal effort and at a reasonable cost.

The aim of many patent applications is to change the running surfaces of sliding elements by using new materials so that the respective sliding element can slide more quickly on the respective surface. There are various patent applications that provide for the use of other materials, some with improved properties, see example titanium nitride coating DEl 9909 598 Al. The disadvantage of many of these ideas is that very expensive materials have to be used, or that the production of the respective soles is very expensive and complex, especially considering that only part of the sliding element can be improved.

The disadvantage of the currently common outsoles is, among other things, that the wettability of the polyethylene material by water is still relatively high due to the type of structuring currently in use.

This means that the existing sliding friction forces hinder the sliding of the sliding element on the surface.

Without wax, the wettability values of PE surfaces at contact angles below 80° are, i.e. as a result, the sliding ability of the sliding element is reduced, among other things due to increased friction values.

In current use, the sliding friction forces are reduced by special wax mixtures, which, among other things, have the task of reducing the wettability of the outsole surface by water.

Today, with good special waxes (fluorine waxes), wettability values in the form of measurable contact angles of approx. 120° are achieved, in contrast to approx. 80° - 90° contact angles for PE surfaces with conventional waxes.

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Furthermore, attempts were made to achieve friction-reducing effects by changing the external shape of the snow sliding elements in order to improve the aerodynamics of the sliding element so that it would be more comfortable to ride. In addition, a higher sliding speed should also be made possible by reducing air friction.

Many of these existing inventions have the disadvantage of being expensive and uneconomical, and they also sometimes have other disadvantages, such as an increase in the weight of the sliding element or other disadvantages in application, storage or use, which arise as a result of the different design.

Another problem that has not been adequately solved when using sliding elements, and in particular snow sliding elements, is the hindrance to using the snow sliding element caused by snow deposits and ice on the top of the snow sliding element. This can pose a safety risk and lead to hindrances while skiing, as well as problems when fastening the snow sliding element. These problems affect both the snow sliding element itself and the binding area and the ski boot. Due to snow or ice in the area of the binding and/or the sole of the ski boot, it is often not possible to get into the binding and engage it properly.

Various solutions are available for these problems in the form of scratching and rubbing elements which can be used on or at the ski, on the binding, on the ski pole or separately (examples JP 811 73 87 and FR 270 02 08). However, these solutions have some disadvantages. The main problem is that such an object is not attractive enough for the potential user. Such an object is either annoying if you have to have it with you all the time, or annoying, and in some cases even dangerous, if it is attached to the snow gliding element, the ski pole or another piece of equipment. In addition, it is an additional product which, since it is not always necessary depending on the prevailing snow or weather conditions, is likely to be viewed by most users of snow gliding elements as an annoying accessory.

There are also other attempts to prevent or reduce the icing and contamination of safety-relevant mechanical parts on or in the snow sliding element. For example, snow guards are installed on or in the

the snow sliding element, which consequently leads to higher weight, more cumbersome handling, as well as different driving characteristics and of course - as with the ice scrapers - also has to be purchased as an additional accessory or attached additionally. This again involves costs and effort for the user.

The wettability of PE outsoles is reduced in current use by applying wax to the coating, which in turn has particularly hydrophobic properties. The success of waxing is increased by applying the wax at a higher temperature (approx. 130 ⁰ C) (hot waxing). This process means that the wax can penetrate into the top layer of the polymer, thereby improving the hydrophobic properties of the polymer, i.e. the coating of the outsole. The disadvantage of this procedure for normally structured outsoles is that the outsole can only absorb or store a very limited amount of wax due to its relatively coarse structure and the resulting only slightly increased surface area.

The structures mentioned also have the disadvantage that, with the fine longitudinal structure of the outsole that is currently in use, the water film under the ski is not sufficiently regulated in wet snow conditions and thus the excess water cannot be removed. This can lead to a suction effect if no air can penetrate between the corresponding surfaces or if it was already trapped.
If, in order to prevent the suction effect, a diagonal structure is also used to drain the excess water sideways and bring air between the surfaces, the problem arises that the structures running transversely or diagonally to the direction of travel cause increased friction with the ground and thus reduce the sliding ability.

In order to reduce frictional resistance in some other applications, there are already films on the market that can be glued to aircraft to achieve better values for air frictional resistance. Wind tunnel tests have shown that the friction-reducing fine structure can guide the flow around the aircraft particularly well without creating turbulence that would greatly increase the overall resistance.

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Similar structures are also used to reduce frictional resistance in water. Various types of microstructures are used, for example, in the form of films for ship hulls or for swimsuits (EP 1 048 232). Furthermore, microstructures are known which, in combination with water as a rinsing substance, produce almost self-cleaning surfaces, e.g. concrete or ceramic bodies: DE 199 58 321 Al, and DE 199 47 524 Al, as well as the production of hydrophobic, ideally ultraphobic surfaces, with different materials and production processes, e.g. DE 198 60 139 Cl.

&iacgr;&ogr; The general problem with many improvements to sliding elements is that attempts are almost always made to optimize only a very specific part of an element, a device, etc. by means of suitable improvements. In contrast, the invention described here has several positive effects, not only partially on a specific part of the sliding element, but both on the optimization of individual functional units (outsole, binding area, etc.) and on the functionality of the entire sliding element. The improvement to the sliding element according to the invention is achieved by appropriate structural adaptation or new or partial structuring of surfaces with the microstructure according to the invention that were previously not structured, or such surfaces that already have structures but can be improved and supplemented by microstructure. This brings clear advantages and improvements over other solutions used to date.

One of the tasks underlying the invention is to improve sliding elements in such a way that the outsole achieves a lower friction value with the ground through suitable microstructuring and thus the sliding element can slide better and faster.

Furthermore, the invention, when applied to the other surfaces except the outsole, reduces the air resistance of the entire sliding element, so that both more comfortable use and a faster sliding speed can be achieved.

In addition, with the help of a special microstructure variant of this invention, the problem of contamination of the sliding element, as well as the undesirable deposition of snow and ice on and in the binding area, can be reduced or prevented.

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This makes both riding with the gliding element and getting into the binding much easier.

In addition, the risks of problems with the ski binding, the ski brakes and all moving mechanical elements are significantly reduced.

The possible occurrence of malfunctions can be reduced because the probability of problems arising due to the binding not releasing/blocking or unintentional release due to foreign bodies (ice, snow, dirt, etc.) can be largely prevented because almost all foreign bodies cannot find a hold on the structured surface according to the invention or can be washed off very easily with water. In addition, the sliding elements structured according to the invention, as well as all other bodies, shoes, clothing, etc. structured in this way, become less easily dirty and have the advantage of being easier to clean and also of becoming less dirty during open transport, e.g. on the vehicle.

With streakline structures (microstructures running mainly in the direction of movement), the microstructures tend to have a friction-reducing and turbulence-reducing function, while without streakline structures (direction-independent structuring) they tend to have a self-cleaning function.

This invention involves practically no additional costs for the user, as the invention is purchased with the ski and the improvements make the ski a higher quality product. There are no negative additional features on the optimized product, such as increased weight, protruding parts that could cause injury, etc., which could turn the advantage of the improvement into disadvantages in other areas of use.

The micro-structuring of the surface greatly increases its surface area. With suitable, very thin hot waxes, this type of surface can store a much larger amount of wax than the usual outsole covering structures. In addition, the much finer structuring also makes it easier to absorb the wax.

The situation is similar with other substances that promote the sliding properties of a sliding element, such as sprays or liquids that prevent icing and are used instead of wax on heavily structured cross-country skis.

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This invention is primarily aimed at optimizing the surfaces of sliding elements, e.g. sports equipment, in particular skis, snowboards and other snow sliding elements.

The improvements are described here, representative of all applications, using the example of the most common winter sports equipment - skis.

The purpose of this invention is to simplify and improve both the sliding properties of the sliding element, in particular of a ski, and its use in general.
In principle, movement when skiing is influenced by two factors: The first is air resistance, the second is the frictional forces on the snow or the ground in general, which mainly consist of sliding friction forces and static friction forces.

According to the invention, these resistances are counteracted by the improvements presented in claim 1 in the form of surfaces structured according to the invention.

By changing the structure of the sliding element's surface according to the invention, both types of resistance forces can be reduced, i.e. by appropriately microstructuring the surface. This applies to both the outsole and the entire top of the ski, including the steel edges and the sidewalls of the ski.

The invention described here consists of several improvements that do not necessarily have to be used in one and the same product, but each individual improvement can also be used separately. However, if all possibilities are exploited, the result is optimal.

There are many factors that can contribute to both improving the driving characteristics and optimizing the use of a sliding element.

This application includes improvements relating to the entire sliding element, including bindings and ski boots, as well as the user's clothing and accessories.

The microstructures described below mainly refer to the range < 1 mm, whereby the groove/rib structures in the μΓη range, the microstructures to prevent icing and contamination, e.g. in the bonding area, can be considerably smaller, i.e. the smallest structures reach into the nano range depending on the application.

In existing applications, the use of microstructured surfaces is always specifically designed for a specific function in a very specific medium, e.g. reducing friction with air or reducing friction with water. The microstructured surfaces used are also normally made of a very specific, usually uniform material, and the surfaces are structured uniformly in order to reduce frictional resistance in connection with certain media.

The same applies to self-cleaning surface structures; these are also usually made from particles/elevations of different sizes but the same material in a product.

Combinations of different microstructures, as in the present invention, with different tasks, made of different materials, on different elements of a device, such as a sliding element, have clear advantages over previously introduced improvements.

According to the invention, the sliding element, in particular the snow sliding element, is improved in its properties in that all surfaces have significantly better values in terms of frictional resistance, tendency to turbulence and flow separation or flow detachment behavior by appropriately applying a microstructure, and that contamination or icing etc. can also be considerably reduced or prevented by applying suitable microstructure according to the invention.

To effectively reduce frictional resistance, different microstructures can be applied to the respective surfaces of the sliding element for the different media responsible for the friction. Thus, a different type of microstructure (approx. 10-25 ribs/mm) may be appropriate for the surface of the sliding element in the outsole area, since the microstructure should be selected for each surface that

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Frictional resistance with the respective fluids is most effectively reduced, since here mainly friction processes take place with relatively viscous fluids (water).

On the upper side of the sliding element, the microstructuring should be relatively fine, i.e.

for example, approx. 10-35 elevations/mm, since the medium that generates frictional resistance is mainly air (gas mixture). The structures should be applied to the sliding element as far as possible in the longitudinal direction so that they are aligned in the direction of travel during normal use of the sliding element.

In order to optimize the reduction of friction, it is also useful according to the invention to provide both the binding and the boot with a microstructure running in the direction of travel on all surfaces if necessary.

Furthermore, the sliding element, in particular the snow sliding element, is according to the invention particularly in the binding area, i.e. surface in the binding area, binding, brake, as well as plate under the binding (elevation plate), but also the parts of the boot relevant for attaching the snow sliding element to the user/wearer, microstructured (with small hydrophobic elevations in a distributed form (nub structure), permanently attached) so that soiling or icing (clogging by snow) is reduced or even prevented or can be very easily removed by exposure to water.

The respective degree of wettability of a solid by a certain liquid always shows a state of equilibrium between cohesion and adhesion, i.e. it shows a state form between the interaction with the wall molecules and the other liquid molecules of the respective liquid.

An example of a liquid that forms a large contact angle with many surfaces is mercury. This property is based on the extremely high surface tension that exists between the individual mercury atoms. An example of a solid on which liquids form very large contact angles is PTFE.

The low adhesion tendency of PTFE is due to its extremely low surface energy. At 18 imN/M, it has the lowest surface energy known for a solid. Theoretically, PTFE would therefore be the ideal material for the sole of the ski. However, due to its other properties, it has the disadvantage of having very low wear resistance.

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In contrast, carbon-based coating systems (a-C:h or DLC (diamond like carbon) and Me-CH) offer ideal wear resistance. By incorporating various elements into the carbon network, it is possible to specifically influence the surface tension of the coatings. With fluorine or silicon, the wetting angle of water could be increased to over 100°, which significantly reduced wettability. This low surface tension is comparable to PTFE, while the layers also have the hardness of ceramic materials.

&iacgr;&ogr; Wax: The intention in developing different types of wax is to achieve the largest possible contact angle or edge angle in the ratio of surface (PE outsole) to water droplets.

It therefore seems that contact angles of at least 80° are desirable for movement on snow, i.e. any improvements that reach values higher than 120° (PE tread with fluoro waxes) are extremely interesting.

A contact angle of 0 degrees means complete wetting, an angle of 180 degrees means complete non-wetting.

Certain types of microstructured surfaces ideally achieve a contact angle/edge angle of up to 160° (with waxy substances). These extremely hydrophobic surfaces are called ultraphobic. These microstructured surfaces have special structures that prevent water droplets from adhering or mean that dirt particles can be easily washed away by water.

It can therefore be stated that such a surface, applied to sliding elements, would create almost ideal water-repellent conditions, especially in combination with suitable hydrophobic measures, such as in the form of hydrophobic repellents (e.g. anionic, cationic, amphoteric, non-ionic surface-active compounds), e.g. as a spray or wax.

The actual gliding of the ski on the snow is based, at least in part, on the same principle as the gliding of skates on ice.

This physical peculiarity is based on a special property of water and is called regelation. It describes the pressure dependence of the phase transition from

solid to liquid state of matter in substances whose melt has a higher density than their solid phase (water, bismuth, gallium).

Such substances can be melted under pressure and solidify again when the pressure is released.
On the other hand, in addition to regelation, melt cap formation occurs as a result of friction.

When the ski surface glides over the snow, friction and therefore heat are created.

This frictional heat causes the snow crystals beneath the surface to melt for a short time (melt cap formation). This partial melting is responsible for the sliding process, among other things.

However, too much enamel cap formation creates a water film and thus adhesion forces and a suction effect that counteracts sliding.

The running surface structure significantly influences the gliding properties and also the turning properties of the ski.

The structure reduces the friction between snow and the running surface. It is recommended to choose a very fine, almost smooth structure for dry, crystalline snow and a somewhat coarser structure for amorphous, smooth snow, especially to counteract a suction effect

The currently common structure of the PE ski sole is processed with a special rotating stone, which imprints different patterns into the ski base depending on the feed and rotation speed, which then serve to allow the ski to glide on the existing water film, depending on the moisture conditions of the snow.

The influence of the water film on the sliding behavior of the sliding element is to be controlled by the fine channels, which mainly run in the direction of travel, and adapted to the respective requirements.

The inventive structuring of the outsole can counteract the suction effect.

Due to the large number of heights and depressions and the continuous movement of the snow sliding element, a small amount of air trapped in these depressions permanently counteracts the suction effect.

Furthermore, the microstructuring also creates a hydrophobic effect that counteracts the suction effect.

This hydrophobic property also means that the ski has very little friction on the ground, which can also lead to less wear on the ski sole material.

Likewise, the inventive microstructuring of the surfaces of the snow sliding element reduces the tendency towards turbulence, the frictional resistance and the flow separation behavior of the fluids flowing around it.

The coatings structured according to the invention can of course, depending on the requirements, load and task, also consist of other suitable materials than those currently used, such as PTFE, other plastics, surface-modified plastics, metals and metal alloys, carbon-based layer systems, as well as all other suitable materials and material mixtures.

In order to significantly improve the properties when using snow sliding elements, some advantageous improvements according to the invention with regard to the surfaces of the sliding element are now described.

"Surfaces of the sliding element" includes all surfaces that are visible on the outside or that may be exposed to frictional resistance.

These are: the outsole, the steel edges, the sidewalls and the shell or the surface covering plus top layer.

Furthermore, the invention includes surface changes in the binding area, on the ski boot as well as on clothing and also on all accessories that can be worn on the body.

In order to improve an object, you have the option of changing different parts of it. Using the example of a ski, the primary improvement is to change the outsole. However, it is also possible to optimize the other surfaces.

The inventive optimization of the outsole of the sliding element mainly reduces the frictional resistance as well as the tendency towards turbulence in the hydrodynamic range.

As far as the remaining surfaces of the sliding element are concerned, the microstructuring of the surfaces according to the invention leads to a reduction in friction, as well as a reduction in

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Tendencies towards turbulence, mainly in the aerodynamic area. The improvement consists in structuring the ski sole - in contrast to the current structuring - much more finely, but also predominantly in the longitudinal direction. A comparable longitudinal structuring (applied in the direction of travel) is suitable for the entire surface of the sliding element exposed to air resistance, as well as for the binding, the ski boot and all of the user's clothing. In the following explanations, I will refer to a snow gliding board and here in particular the ski, as a representative of all possible applications of microstructuring according to the invention on sliding elements. These microstructurings according to the invention serve both to reduce frictional resistance and to reduce turbulence tendencies and flow separation behavior of fluid media, as well as to support the hydrophobic properties of the respective surface material. Likewise, all surfaces according to the invention for preventing soiling and icing, and if necessary for reducing frictional resistance, are also shown using the example of a snow sliding element, in particular a ski, as well as the elements, devices and equipment required for its use.

In fluid media, the flow speeds are such that the edge zones, i.e. the areas in the liquids that are in contact with other, e.g. solid materials, are areas where the friction, due to the cohesion between the different materials, causes the liquids to flow much more slowly than in the interior, e.g. a pipe, where only molecules of the fluid are present and the intermolecular friction forces are much lower and therefore the highest flow speed is achieved.

The Reynolds number is a dimensionless number for the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces in a flowing fluid. Re = wl/v, where w is a characteristic speed, I is a characteristic length (pipe diameter or diameter of a body flowing around) and ν is the kinematic viscosity of the fluid.

The critical Reynolds number is a turbulence criterion; it indicates when a laminar flow turns into a turbulent one. At small values, a flow is laminar, at larger values, it is turbulent.

The order of magnitude of the rib spacing of the rib structure according to the invention to be selected on one of the surfaces of the sliding element depends, among other things, on the kinematic viscosity (quotient of viscosity of the fluid and its density) of the fluid that mainly causes frictional resistance.

The arrangement of the ribs according to the invention, with the depressions located between two ribs, is mainly to be applied to the respective surfaces of the sliding element in such a way that these ribs are arranged mainly in the longitudinal direction to the expected main flow direction of the respective fluid, or the direction of travel of the sliding element, so that the expected friction with the respective media can be minimized.

The lower the viscosity of the expected fluid flowing around it, the smaller the dimensions of the structures, i.e. both the distances between the ribs, the spatial shape of the elevations and the heights of the individual ribs can be adapted to the respective fluids. The example of the application of this type of surface structuring to sliding elements, in particular snow sliding elements, makes it clear that this structuring can ideally be dimensioned on the respective surfaces in such a way that, for example on the surface of the outsole, as well as in the edge area and if necessary also on the sides of the ski, the structuring can be adjusted to the expected friction-causing medium (snow, ice) which is at least partially melted into water by the melting processes explained above due to friction and pressure. In the same way, the other surfaces of the ski can be adjusted to another expected friction-causing medium, namely air. Since air is a gas and water is a liquid, it can make sense to structure the surfaces of the ski that are mainly exposed to air more finely than the surfaces that are mainly exposed to water/snow (liquid or solid). It also makes sense that all surfaces of devices and bodies that are attached to the sliding element, as well as all surfaces of equipment, clothing, etc. that are used for the use of sliding elements, should also be improved in such a way that they should also be equipped with the appropriate friction-reducing surface structures, and if necessary also combined with other, e.g. self-cleaning, surface structures, in the appropriate areas.

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This is especially true for the devices attached to the ski, such as ski bindings, ski brakes, risers, etc., and of course also for the surfaces of the ski boot.
The rib-shaped surface structures have the advantage over all other surface structures, as well as over completely smooth surfaces, of having a clearly positive influence on all flow around the body, both through turbulence-influencing effects and, under certain circumstances, through detachment delay compared to smooth surfaces, for example. Both effects influence the sliding behavior of the body around which fluids flow, e.g.

in the form of a sliding element in a positive way, especially when sliding within a uniform fluid (air), for example when ski jumping. Both effects show advantages over conventional improvements when using the corresponding microstructuring on the surfaces of snow sliding elements according to the invention.

A longitudinally oriented rib structure on all surfaces of the gliding element, whereby the fineness of the structures can be made dependent on the respective fluid medium flowing around it, achieves a general improvement in frictional resistance. By specifically refining the structure or adapting the structure at certain points on the gliding element where flow separation is most likely to occur, this behavior of the gliding element can be reduced, such as in the rear binding area, as well as at the tip of the gliding element, etc.

At these locations, it is useful to apply a particularly large number of rib structures with recesses that are adapted to the rib structures (in terms of size and function) in order to influence the respective surrounding fluid medium in such a way that the flow separation is delayed as far as possible.

What is important for the application of the structures according to the invention is mainly the relationship between these structures and the boundary layer flow, which is particularly subject to friction, since this is where the different properties of laminar and turbulent flows come into play, including in particular the transition between these states, especially from laminar to turbulent. The separation of the boundary layer also influences the sliding behavior of a sliding element.

The boundary layer flow arises due to the frictional forces between the flowing fluid and the body around which it flows.

Directly at the body the velocity is zero, at the outermost edge of the boundary layer the velocity of the fluid is then exactly the same as the flow velocity of the flowing medium (without frictional resistance on bodies).

The ideal body is represented by the streamlined body. Its drag coefficient is 0.055. This value is achieved because the flow neither breaks off nor there are any large pressure differences that could create vortices and thus turbulence. The laminar flow is maintained throughout the entire body.

Through the inventive application and design of the longitudinal grooves, which are mainly oriented in the longitudinal direction of the body, it can be assumed that the grooves and edges of the structure hinder the formation of cross-flows in the viscous sublayer and thus a reduction in turbulence in the boundary layer is achieved. This in turn leads to less momentum exchange and, as a result, a generally lower turbulent shear stress is to be expected.

It can also be assumed that if the flow towards the ribs is slightly inclined, this will influence the flow near the body in such a way that it will run more in a direction parallel to the body.

This property can be used to apply the groove/rib structures to the sliding element in such a way and direction that they can be used to at least partially influence the direction of flow, and thus the control of the sliding element (when sliding and turning as a result of appropriate structuring of the edge area of the steel edges) can be improved and facilitated (also applies to sliding elements for ski jumping).
This effect has the great advantage that it can be expected in both types of flow, laminar and turbulent flows, and in this context also in gaseous and liquid media. This in turn can be used to perform slightly different tasks on different surfaces, which can have different structures (since they come into contact with different fluids) and also due to their position on the sliding element.

in the area of friction reduction, can be used on the entire snow sliding element and thus bring advantages.

Ideally, the primary structure of the outsole should have groove/rib-like structures arranged in the running direction so that a density of approximately 10-25 e.g. trapezoidal, U-shaped, V-shaped, L-shaped grooves per mm is achieved (Figure la).

The factor s = 2h has proven to be a good ratio of the height h of the elevations to the distance s between the elevations h, but this value can vary greatly depending on the application.

Particularly useful are trapezoidal grooves with raised areas, which have a triangular shape with a side inclination of approx. 30 - 45°, or other angles of inclination if required. Of course, both the external shape of the raised areas and the angle, the distance between the raised areas and the material from which these microstructured surfaces are made can be adapted to the requirements.

This has several advantages. Firstly, this type of structuring provides very good sliding properties due to the reduced static friction forces. Secondly, the surface remains very stable despite the relatively large number of grooves due to the large number of elevations (see Fakir's nail bed). If required, this groove/rib structure can be supplemented with a scale structure, which is particularly useful for use in cross-country skiing and touring.

It can be assumed that these surfaces can be made even more slippery if the appropriate lubricant, such as wax or similar, is applied to the surface.

Currently, a longitudinally structured running surface is used on the majority of alpine skis. However, the current structuring consists of a much coarser grid (Figure Ib).

At the moment there are about 2 - 3 elevations or notches per mm. In addition, the raised areas of the currently common coverings are much wider than the notches. Furthermore, the running surfaces currently used are absolutely uniform, with the same type of structure.

According to the invention, in contrast, certain, for example additional, structures can be placed in certain zones of the ski, for example diagonally

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Structures facing the direction of travel that can drain excess water outwards. In addition, a refined or coarser structure in individual areas of the sliding element can provide improved driving characteristics.

Both standardized, always identical structures with the same distance between the ribs and, alternatively, optimized structures that can be optimally adapted to the respective requirements (speed in giant slalom, maneuverability in slalom, as well as different snow or weather conditions) are possible. For example, in certain zones of the sole of the sliding element, finer or coarser

&iacgr;&ogr; Groove/rib arrangements for modified friction forces.

In addition, the contact surface of the sliding element on the ground (snow) can be changed by the number and structure of the elevations. This offers the possibility of increasing the pressure per cm ² by reducing the contact surface and thereby influencing the regelation / melt cap formation and generating an increased or reduced water film, which in turn changes the sliding friction on the ground.

The design of surfaces with friction-reducing and self-cleaning or non-polluting functions can also be applied to all other products that are exposed to either gas, liquid or even a certain degree of solid friction/pollution (e.g. movement due to not completely massive accumulations of at least partially solid individual parts such as sand, earth, balls, granules, etc.), as well as all possible mixtures of different/same aggregate states, as well as mixtures of different/same materials in the same or different aggregate states.

The application according to the invention applies both to bodies that are moved by their own power (car, bicycle, etc.) and to those that are moved by other forces (gravitational acceleration, motor power, muscle power, etc.). The microstructuring of sports equipment is particularly worthy of mention here, since in this area there are constant attempts to develop new products with even better properties in order to achieve new peak performances and improve general use and application.

Edges are manufactured as one-piece edges or link edges in different steel hardnesses.
Hard steels are more resistant, but harder to work with.

A relatively new development is heat-treated steels as edge material, which retain their sharpness longer than conventional material, but are difficult to tune by hand.

The grip of the edges can also be improved by equipping the edges with a microstructure according to the invention, which can be designed, for example, in the running direction, diagonally or perpendicular to the running direction and thus achieves the desired effect (reduction of frictional resistance during driving or greater grip when edging, e.g. when braking).

Different techniques can be used to produce the structures according to the invention, such as lithographic processes (e.g. UGA processes), micro-molding, mechanical microtechnology, laser micromachining, hot stamping, injection molding, plasma techniques, etc.
In the case of plastics such as PE, sintering (whirlwind sintering, powder spraying, possibly electrostatic powder spraying, etc.) might also be an option for the finer, soiling-inhibiting microstructure.

In addition to the improvements according to the invention in the form of suitable microstructuring, in a sliding element, according to the embodiments of the present invention, both the shape and the material of the structuring can serve to impart greater elasticity to the surface of the sliding element according to the invention.

A further possibility is to apply the inventive forms of microstructuring to other materials which completely or partially replace the previous materials of the surfaces of sliding elements in order to achieve the desired elasticity.

If not only the sliding element itself stores tension due to its structure, and this can be converted into driving dynamics, but also the coating of the sliding element can convert tension into dynamics, this is a further improvement, in addition to the improvement through the microstructured surface with its advantages mentioned above.

Elasticity can be achieved by choosing the material so that the elevations (ribs) are rigid and relatively angular in order to prevent cross-flows as much as possible. However, the material of the elevations can also be flexible (e.g. scale-shaped made of rigid materials), but the material below the elevations can alternatively be chosen to be elastic.

UL

Plasma treatment of surfaces introduces energy into the surface of the solid material in a very special, plasma-specific way. Plasmas are therefore very well suited to surface treatment. They can activate and roughen, i.e. make the molecular components of the surface receptive to bonding with other substances, but they can also be used to directly coat surfaces by choosing the right process gases. A firmly adhering metallization can be applied to a surface prepared in this way using conventional palladium nucleation. This process can also be used to firmly metallize plastics that could not previously be metallized or could only be metallized with the help of high amounts of foreign matter.

With the help of suitable processes, even PTFE can be metallized to ensure a strong adhesion.

Another major application area for plasma-activated surfaces is film and plastic surfaces. When treating surfaces with low-temperature plasmas, one often goes a step further than just activating the surfaces. This next step is functionalization.

For example, the treatment of plastic parts with oxygen as a process gas leads to hydroxyl, carbonyl or ester groups, i.e. chemically functional molecule parts that make workpieces pretreated in this way receptive to further surface processes (change in properties of surfaces of sliding elements, depending on the desired requirements - hydrophobic and wax-friendly, electrically conductive, etc.).

The external appearance of an object is determined by its surface; in the application area of modified surfaces according to the invention, wettability and friction play a particularly important role. Plasma technology can also be used to economically produce such micro- and nanostructures according to the invention. With the help of plasma technology, thin ceramic structures can be micro- or nanostructured, e.g. applied to metal stamps, which can then in turn emboss materials that can be embossed using ceramic structures, such as plastics (plexiglass, etc.), with this micro-/nanostructure. The structure formation of the ceramic layer is self-organizing, but the plasma process must be controlled in such a way that exactly the self-organization desired for the respective application takes place in order to achieve the respective structure.

Plasma processes can be used, for example, to produce structured rollers according to the invention, e.g. made of metal, etc., for hot embossing of nano/microstructures on surfaces such as the soles of sliding elements, as well as nano/microstructures on all other surfaces of sliding elements and all elements required for the use of sliding elements and additionally supported, which consist of embossable materials.

The figures are neither to scale nor are they intended to represent specific sliding elements, since in this application they only serve to show the possible applications, possible variations and advantages of the improvements according to the invention. The microstructures shown are representative of all possible microstructures for use according to the invention on sliding elements, in particular snow sliding elements, as well as all objects, devices, etc. that can be used in this context.

Regarding Figure Ic:

This figure shows a cross section of a ski 1. - Outsole with micro-structuring
2. - Steel edge possibly with microstructuring

3. - Sidewall with micro-structuring

4. - Core

5. - Upper chord

6. - Lower chord

7. - Shell, surface with micro-structuring

Regarding Figure 2:

Figure 2 also shows a cross-section,

where 1 represents the outsole, 2 the steel edge, 4 the relatively coarse currently common longitudinal structures and 3 a form of microstructuring, also longitudinal, provided with triangular elevations and trapezoidal depressions.

Figures 3α - 3n show cross-sections of surface structuring of various non-scale possibilities of predominantly longitudinal rib/groove microstructures.

Figure 3a shows trapezoidal structures consisting of triangular elevations, which lead to trapezoidal depressions due to certain distances between the elevations

Figure 3b shows comparable triangular structures of the elevations, but located so close to each other that the depressions in between only have triangular structures.

Figure 3c also shows triangular elevations, but in different sizes and arrangements, and at different locations on the surface. Thus, the smaller structures can be microstructures on top of depressions of other coarser rib microstructures, as well as rib structures on top of depressions, which are currently common in the form of longitudinally directed relatively coarse structures on the surface of outsoles, as well as on the elevations of these structures (shown in Figure 1b).

Figure 3d shows comparable longitudinal microstructures as shown in Figures 3a and 3b, but in the form of finer, steeper triangular structures.

Figures 3e - 3h also show longitudinal triangular microstructures in different forms, such that structures of the same type (triangle) are shown here, but with different inclination angles of the individual smallest ribs, as well as different distances between the ribs, as well as combinations of structures with the same inclination angles and the same basic shapes of the ribs, but different heights and distances between the individual structures.

Figures 3i and 3j show comparable longitudinal microstructures, which, however, consist of rectangular structures as the smallest elevations.

Figures 3k - 3m also show longitudinal microstructures, the smallest elevations of which are shown here in the form of round-walled elements.

Figure 3n shows another form of longitudinal microstructures, whose smallest elevations here, for example, have the shape of very slender ribs.

Figures 4a - 4e show perspective top views of a surface structured, for example, with triangular ribs.

Figure 4a shows in principle the comparable surface as Figure 3a.

Figure 4b shows a similar surface as 4a, but with the difference that here the rib structures are not applied continuously, but with gaps, but still in a line (alignment) one behind the other.

Figure 4c shows a similar surface as 4b, where different zones on the surface can be characterized by elevations of different lengths.

Figure 4d shows a similar surface to 4c, but here another zone with finer structuring is shown, also in the longitudinal direction and also in line with the other elevations, but e.g. with twice the number of elevations (of the same height but different angles of inclination or of different heights but the same/or different angles of inclination) per unit area.

Figure 4e shows a similar surface to 4d, but here, for example, a series of elevations are arranged on the surface in such a way that they are no longer in line with the other elevations.

This example shows the possibility of having different rib heights as well as different rib heights and groove valleys that are not in a row one after the other to generate a certain amount of turbulence if required

Figure 5 shows a section of a longitudinal rib structure, which is provided with the dirt-repellent nub structure both in the area of the elevations and in the groove valleys.

Figure 6α shows the top view of the surface of a sliding element, using the example of a ski sole with the two steel edges.

This is a normal, longitudinal microstructuring with ski edges on the outside (unstructured).

Figure 6b also shows a longitudinal microstructure of the ski sole, as well as longitudinal structuring of the ski edges in the area towards the ski sole, whereby the edge area responsible for edging remains unstructured.
Figure 6c also shows longitudinal microstructuring in the central ski sole area (4), on the outer areas of the ski sole (3) and on the inner areas of the ski edge also microstructuring (2), but in addition to the one running in the direction of travel, also one directed diagonally backwards so that excess water can be drained under the ground outer side of the ski edge (1).

Figure 6d shows a cross-sectional drawing of the ski base section shown in 6c. In this example, both the ski edge and part of the ski sole are shown.

(1) shows the outermost, ground part of the steel edge, which has no structure here. (2) shows the part of the steel edge further inside, which here has a combination of two structures, one structure (6) running in the direction of travel and a second (5) which runs diagonally outwards and backwards in the direction of travel. The outer area (3) of the ski running surface has a similar structure. Whereas the central area, in the middle of the sole of the ski, only has a structure (6) running in the direction of travel.

This type of structuring allows the excess water from the water film under the ski to be easily drained outwards under the steel edge.

Figures 7a - 7c show a ski sole in plan view.

7a shows a longitudinal microstructure in the form of a groove/rib profile, which has the same structure over the entire outsole.

7b shows two possible areas of the same type of structure, but with a different arrangement. In the central area in the middle of the ski sole, a longitudinal microstructuring can be seen, in the edge area, as well as at the tip and the end of the ski sole, where there are normally areas where the ski is bent upwards,

The outsole has a rib structure that runs diagonally to the direction of travel and runs diagonally backwards on both sides towards the edge area.

Figure 7c is basically the same as Figure 7b, with the difference that here the longitudinal, central region of the microstructuring has a slightly different external shape.

Figure 8a again shows a cross-section through a sliding element, showing a ski edge and the outsole with its longitudinal microstructuring. In this figure, the elevations (ribs) of the microstructured surface of the ski sole form a plane with the ski steel edges.

Figure 8b shows another possibility in which the elevations of the structured area are not flush with the edges, but can be applied so that they protrude above the remaining surfaces, for example raised by the elevation height, and can protrude by parts of these heights. As an additional difference, some of the steel edges are also provided with longitudinal microstructures (cf. Figures 6c + 6d; (2)).

For example, in the raised variant (Figure 8b), one could assume that the elevations of the structures protrude minimally from the ski surface (but only about 0.025 mm), i.e. about 1/40 mm with an approximate distance between the individual elevations of the structures of about 0.05 mm.
The number of elevations per outsole, with an outsole of approx. 10 cm width, results in approx. 2000 ribs per ski with a relatively fine structure of 20 elevations per mm.

This high number makes it possible to obtain a very stable surface. In addition, the folded structure of the surface increases the stability and torsional rigidity of the ski sole (cf. trapezoidal sheet metal, corrugated cardboard).

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Claims (29)

1. Devices and equipment, in particular sliding elements, where all surfaces are provided with artificially applied surface structures in the micro or nano range or can also be partially provided with them, where one form of these structures consists of elevations in the form of ribs and depressions which have a surface structure with predominantly parallel elevations with depressions in between, also predominantly parallel, the materials of which consist mainly of water-repellent materials or materials coated or treated to be water-repellent, which are applied in the longitudinal direction to the predominant direction of movement of the surfaces of the sliding element, as well as another form of structure which consists mainly of direction-independent, artificially applied, hydrophobic to ultraphobic surface structures which support self-cleaning (especially with the help of water), the elevations (nub structure) of which, applied to a surface made of materials which also have hydrophobic properties and are also hydrophobically coated or treated, also mainly consist of water-repellent materials, as well as materials coated or treated to be water-repellent, permanently applied to one or more or all surfaces of the sliding element. 2. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all existing surfaces of the sliding element as well as all devices and bodies attached to the sliding element can consist of plastics, composite materials, ceramic materials and metals, as well as material combinations consisting thereof. 3. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces can be designed from hydrophobic materials which have water-repellent properties, as well as materials which can be made water-repellent by suitable materials, as well as materials which can be coated with a water-repellent coating by processes, as well as prepared for water-repellent coating. 4. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinally directed, predominantly artificially produced microstructures, which can consist of all water-repellent materials that are suitable for the respective applications. Furthermore, the respective materials can be coated in a water-repellent manner or can be or have been treated in a water-repellent manner using all available options. 5. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinally directed artificially produced microstructures, which can be made from all materials that are hardly or only poorly water-repellent and are suitable for the respective applications. Furthermore, the respective materials can be coated in a water-repellent manner or can be or have been treated in a water-repellent manner using all available options. 6. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinally directed artificially produced microstructures, which can be made of materials and material combinations that are differently water-repellent or can be made with appropriate measures. 7. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinally directed artificially produced microstructures, which can consist of suitable material combinations of water-repellent, partially water-repellent and non-water-repellent materials, which can be made more water-repellent by appropriate materials if required. 8. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, whereby both the elevations and the depressions can have any shape, but in particular can have V-shaped, U-shaped, L-shaped and triangular shape. 9. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be provided with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, wherein the elevations and depressions can be used in conjunction with all other possible, already existing structures. 10. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, the individual smallest structures of which are predominantly in the µm range, and the size range used in each case for the elevations and depressions can be designed depending on the medium mainly flowing around the sliding element. 11. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, the elevations of which can consist of rigid, sharp-edged and non-sharp-edged elements, which can be connected to the substrate both rigidly and movably, as well as partially movably. 12. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, the elevations of which can consist of movable, sharp-edged and non-sharp-edged structured materials, which can be connected to the substrate both rigidly and movably, as well as partially movably. 13. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, combined with other, also at least mainly parallel structures of comparable function and characteristics, but with elevations and depressions that are not necessarily also longitudinal, but for example running at defined angles to the parallel axis of the sliding element. 14. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, combined with also parallel structures with mainly parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions, which, however, can have other finer or coarser structures than those combined with them. 15. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces which are equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions are equipped in such a way that their elevations and depressions can be designed in such a way that they can vary within one or more forms of both one structure and several, both in height and in width. 16. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces which are equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions are equipped in such a way that the elevations can also be structured in the form of scales, one scale behind the other, in such a way that all scales are movable, can be displaced against each other, but always remain in a formation forming the respective elevations, which also move back - by themselves - to the starting position if the individual elevations have moved slightly from the vertical position due to external forces. 17. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces which are equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions are equipped in such a way that some, several or all of these structures consist of structural elements which are conditionally movable relative to one another, which can be constructed in such a way that they can be applied in a fixed location on the respective substrate, connected to one or more of the surrounding comparable structures, for example in the form of scales, but can nevertheless be movable in relation to external influences, and that these structures, despite the possible movements, always remain arranged in such a way that the elevations of the ribs are always retained, but can carry out slight S-shaped movements in the direction of movement. 18. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces can be equipped with elevations in the form of ribs and depressions which are mainly longitudinally directed along the sliding element body and which do not always have to be aligned parallel, but can also be constructed so as to at least partially approximate one another, merge with one another, diverge again, disappear and/or continue parallel again. 19. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all or defined surfaces of the sliding element can be structured in whole or in part with direction-independent, artificial structures made of elevations and depressions made of water-repellent materials, the smallest structural units of which are mainly in the form of knob-shaped elevations depending on the application, material, etc., in the nanometer range, the larger units of which are predominantly found in the micrometer range. 20. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that certain surfaces of the sliding element can be completely or partially structured with direction-independent, artificial structures consisting of elevations and depressions made of water-repellent or water-repellent coated or treated materials, which can be applied in combination with other structures. 21. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that certain or all surfaces of the sliding element can be completely or partially structured with direction-independent, artificial structures made of elevations, in the form of knob-shaped elements, made of water-repellent materials, which can be applied together with the predominantly parallel, longitudinal structures made of ribs and depressions in the form of combined surface structures, whereby both unmixed combination options are possible on one and the same surface, and all possible combinations of the direction-independent with the longitudinal structure can be applied, whereby, for example, the elevations of the longitudinal larger structure can be completely or partially covered with smaller structures of the direction-independent structural form, as well as comparable combinations of direction-independent structures with the side parts of the elevations, as well as with the depressions. 22. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all structured surfaces can also be in the form of prefabricated, microstructured according to the respective application requirements, as well as from materials and material combinations that also correspond to the application requirements, in the form of carrier materials such as films, fabrics, coatings, varnishes. 23. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that all surfaces which are equipped with longitudinal, parallel elevations in the form of ribs and depressions are equipped in such a way that their elevations can be designed in such a way that they can vary within one or more forms of a structure both in height and in width. 24. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal, mainly parallel microstructures in the form of ribs and depressions predominantly have structural units in the size range from approx. 10 µm to approx. 1 mm, and a distribution density of approx. 8-40 elevations and depressions per mm. 25. Sliding element with microstructured surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that the direction-independent, water-repellent micro/nanostructure predominantly has structural units in the form of knob-like structures forming, firmly attached, hydrophobic or predominantly permanently hydrophobically treated or coated particles in the size range of approx. 0.5-1000 µm, as well as a comparable distribution density. 26. Microstructured surfaces of bodies, devices, etc. which can be attached to the sliding element, in particular, for example binding, ski brake, elevation plate, etc., characterized in that all types of application possibilities and combinations of longitudinal and direction-independent micro- and nanostructures described in the preceding claims can be applied. 27. Microstructured surfaces, in particular of bodies, devices, clothing, footwear, ski poles, goggles, etc., as well as all accessories possible or necessary for the use of a sliding element, characterized in that all described types of application possibilities and combinations of longitudinal and direction-independent micro- and nanostructures can be applied. 28. Microstructured surfaces, in particular, characterized in that all described types of application possibilities and combinations of longitudinal and direction-independent microstructures can be applied to all surfaces, in particular of bodies which are exposed to flow resistance with fluid media and, due to their function, can be exposed to dirt or other materials forming deposits, such as bodies and devices which serve to transport other bodies (ski racks, ski boxes, bicycle racks, load carriers, etc.). 29. Microstructured surfaces, in particular of bodies, for the practice of sports and leisure activities which require striking elements which are moved at very high speeds against air resistance or other resistance-generating fluids, preferably bats, rackets, etc., in order to accelerate balls or the like (tennis, badminton, golf, table tennis, polo, etc.), characterized in that all described types of application possibilities and combinations of longitudinal and direction-independent microstructures can be applied to all surfaces.