Articulated Skate Boot Structure for Power and Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skates and footwear often compromise on characteristics such as range of motion, power transfer, comfort, and customability, leading to incompatible design trade-offs.
Innovation Solution
The design of a skate boot with an articulated shell and thermoformable liner, featuring movable and pivotable shell components, customizable stiffness zones, and removable parts to enhance performance and fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the shell is made rigid to provide structural support and power transfer, then power transfer is improved, but range of motion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into multiple articulated segments (upper shell member and lower shell member) connected by pivot joints, allowing different parts of the shell to move independently relative to each other while maintaining overall structural integrity for power transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The shell transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure with movable joints, enabling the shell to adapt its rigidity based on operational needs - rigid for power transfer, flexible for range of motion
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shell is made customizable with different stiffness zones, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones of the shell are assigned different stiffness characteristics through selective placement of reinforcement elements and variation in wall thickness, allowing each region to provide appropriate support while maintaining overall customizability
Solution Approach 2:
The shell incorporates composite construction with reinforcement elements integrated into specific zones, creating a multi-material structure that provides varying stiffness levels without requiring completely different components
3Ease of operation
If the liner is made thermoformable for custom fit, then comfort is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The liner material is selected with specific thermal properties that allow it to be formed at controlled temperatures, enabling custom fitting through thermal expansion and shaping while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through parameter control rather than extreme precision
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
Enhances user agility and comfort by allowing increased range of motion and energy transfer while providing a customizable fit, addressing the trade-offs in traditional skate designs.
Implementation Method 1
The liner is thermoformable about the user's foot
Data Source
AI summary
Footwear, such as a skate (e.g., a hockey skate), comprising a boot (e.g., a skate boot) or other foot-receiving structure configured to receive a user's foot, in which the boot or other foot-receiving structure is designed to enhance performance, including a range of motion of the user and energy transfer (e.g., to a skating surface while skating or otherwise moving on the skating surface), fit on the user's foot, and/or comfort of the user, such as by having articulated, thermoformable and/or removable parts that may have desired properties in selected regions.