Auxetic Ski Boot Strap Structure for Uniform Cuff Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski boot tightening straps with auxetic structures face degradation in elastic properties and limited adaptability to the shape of the cuff, leading to discomfort and uneven tightening.
Innovation Solution
A tightening strap with an oblong flexible element featuring a monolithic elastic plate-like body with auxetic behavior, divided into sectors with two-dimensional reticular structures, allows for uniform distribution of pressure and improved adaptability to the cuff shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate-like body with auxetic structure is used to replace the stretchable fabric segment, then the elastic properties are maintained without degradation, but the adaptability to the shape of the cuff is limited and the tightening is not uniformly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-like body is divided into multiple contiguous flat sectors, each with its own reticular structure. This segmentation allows each sector to independently adapt to the contour of the cuff while collectively providing uniform tightening across the entire contact surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Each flat sector is given different reticular structures optimized for local adaptation. The varying reticular patterns allow different parts of the plate-like body to conform to different regions of the cuff's shape, providing both local adaptability and global uniformity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reticular structure of the plate-like body is made more complex to improve adaptability, then the fitting comfort improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reticular structures in different flat sectors vary in parameters such as mesh size, pattern density, and geometric configuration. By adjusting these parameters across sectors, the plate-like body achieves superior fitting comfort while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is feasible to manufacture.
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
The solution provides enhanced fitting comfort and uniform tightening by allowing the elastic plate-like body to stretch and widen uniformly, distributing pressure evenly over the cuff, thus improving user comfort and tightening capacity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic plate-like body (4) with auxetic structure, which is capable of stretching and widening in elastic manner when the plate-like body is subjected to traction
Implementation Method 2
capable of stretching and widening in elastic manner when the plate-like body is subjected to traction
Data Source
AI summary
Tightening strap for ski boots adapted to be wound in a loop around the cuff of a ski boot to tighten said cuff on the user's leg; the tightening strap comprising an oblong flexible element, which is adapted to be wound around the cuff and includes at least one elastic member with auxetic behaviour formed by an oblong plate-like body, which has a monolithic structure and is divided into a plurality of contiguous flat sectors, each of which has a macroscopic reticular structure with auxetic behaviour, which structure is capable of stretching and, at the same time, also of widening in elastic manner when the oblong plate-like body is subjected to traction, and also differs from that of the adjacent flat sectors.