Articulated Ski Innerboot Instep Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inner liners for sliding sports shoes, such as alpine skiing and ski touring, hinder the skier's movement due to a lack of flexibility between the upper and lower parts, particularly at the instep area, which restricts natural leg movement and increases effort when walking or navigating ski lifts.
Innovation Solution
The inner liner features hollowed-out areas at the instep with deformable connecting elements, such as elastic strips, that form an articulation between the upper and lower parts, allowing for relative movement and facilitating walking by mimicking the leg's natural pivot axis, while maintaining waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the upper part of the inner liner is made rigid to provide structural support, then the structural support is improved, but the flexibility and movement capability of the upper part relative to the lower part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The upper part of the inner liner is divided into multiple independent segments (first upper segment, second upper segment, third upper segment) that can move relative to each other and to the lower part. This segmentation allows each segment to provide structural support while collectively enabling flexibility and natural leg movement through articulated sections.
2Device complexity
If the upper part is made as a single rigid piece to simplify structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to facilitate natural leg movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The upper part transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure with segments that can move relative to each other. The articulated sections with deformable connecting elements allow the upper part to adapt its shape and accommodate natural leg movement while maintaining structural integrity through controlled flexibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the textile piece at the instep is minimized for waterproofing, then the waterproofing performance is improved, but the flexibility and movement capability of the upper part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instep area is segmented into multiple deformable connecting elements (first, second, and third connecting elements) distributed across different segments of the upper part. This segmentation allows waterproofing to be maintained at each connection point while collectively providing flexibility and movement capability through the articulated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable connecting elements at the instep are made from flexible, elastic materials that can stretch and deform to accommodate leg movement. These flexible elements maintain waterproofing connections while allowing the upper part to move relative to the lower part, resolving the contradiction between waterproofing and movement capability.
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
This design enhances the skier's mobility by allowing smoother and more comfortable walking and touring by enabling the upper part to pivot relative to the lower part, reducing resistance and effort, while maintaining necessary tightness and waterproofing.
Implementation Method 1
two deformable connecting elements forming an articulation between the upper part and the lower part... the two connecting elements are elastically deformable and are formed from two strips of a fabric with elastic properties
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an inner bootie for a ski shoe comprising an upper formed of an upper part (11) intended to at least partially surround the lower leg and a lower part (12) extending the upper part and intended to at least partially surround the foot, said upper being provided with a central opening (20), said bootie being characterized in that the upper part (11) and the lower part (12) meet on either side of said opening (20) at the level of the instep by delimiting hollowed-out areas (10), each of these areas being at least partially closed by two deformable connecting elements (31, 32) forming an articulation between the upper part (11) and the lower part (12).