Adaptable Sports Shoe With Interchangeable Attachment Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current snow sport shoes are limited by their inability to adapt to different types of ski systems (NNN and SNS), requiring separate shoes for each system, and lack adjustable longitudinal flexibility and cost-effective manufacturing, leading to high production costs and premature wear of contact parts.

Innovation Solution

A shoe design featuring removable adaptation means with flexible blades and inserts that can be fixed in various positions, allowing compatibility with multiple ski systems and adjustable flexibility, reducing the need for multiple molds and extending the shoe's lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the shoe is designed with fixed attachment means for a specific ski system, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the adaptability to different ski systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different ski systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment means are divided into separate, interchangeable modules that can be independently selected and attached to the shoe base. This allows the user to have different attachment modules for different ski systems (NNN, SNS, etc.) while keeping the base shoe the same, thus maintaining reliability for each specific system while achieving versatility across multiple systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shoe base is designed with universal mounting interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of attachment means. The base includes standardized mounting points and structures that work with different attachment modules, enabling a single shoe to serve multiple functions and be compatible with various ski binding systems through interchangeable attachment means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If the shoe uses a rigid base structure, then the manufacturing precision and structural strength are improved, but the longitudinal flexibility adjustability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural precisionVSAvoidlongitudinal flexibility adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base structure incorporates adjustable flexibility mechanisms that allow the longitudinal stiffness to be modified according to user needs. This could include adjustable support elements, removable reinforcement plates, or variable geometry features that change the base's flex characteristics while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized components and assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple shoe models are produced for different ski systems, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different ski systemsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the shoe into a common base and interchangeable attachment modules, the manufacturing process is simplified. The base can be produced in large quantities using a single mold and design, while the attachment modules are separate components that can be manufactured independently and attached as needed. This eliminates the need for multiple complete shoe molds and reduces overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal base design serves as the foundation for multiple shoe configurations. This single base design can accommodate various attachment means for different ski systems, effectively making one shoe model adaptable to multiple uses. This approach reduces the total number of unique shoe models that need to be manufactured, thereby lowering tooling costs and simplifying production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the contact parts are made durable, then the reliability is improved, but the weight and cost of the shoe deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of contact partsVSAvoidshoe weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The contact parts are segmented into replaceable attachment modules rather than being integral to the entire shoe. This allows the durable, heavier materials to be concentrated only in the attachment modules where wear occurs, while the rest of the shoe can use lighter materials. When the attachment modules wear out, only they need to be replaced, not the entire shoe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment modules are designed as consumable components that can be replaced when worn. Instead of replacing the entire shoe when contact parts wear, users can discard the worn attachment modules and attach new ones to the same base. This extends the overall lifecycle of the shoe system and reduces the frequency of complete shoe replacements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP2737815B1Adaptable sports shoe
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 SALOMON SA
  • EP2737815B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2737815B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2737815B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The base plate (200) has amid-sized openings (202,203,210,211) that are provided to fix as a fitting element in predetermined manner. The flexibility is presented according to a direction of extension of the foot and mid-sized openings to fix the direction of extension of the foot against the front portion, and the main portion in a removable way with a fixing element (25) to the machine.