Auxetic Ski Boot Strap Structure for Uniform Cuff Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski boot tightening straps with auxetic structures face issues of limited adaptability to the shape of the cuff, leading to uneven distribution of pressure and discomfort over time.
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, allowing for uniform pressure distribution and improved adaptability to the cuff shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plate-like body with auxetic structure is used in the tightening strap, then the stretching capability and tightening capacity are improved, but the adaptability to the cuff shape and pressure distribution uniformity deteriorate
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 deform and adapt to the contours of the cuff, improving overall adaptability while maintaining the auxetic stretching properties of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each flat sector of the plate-like body has a reticular structure with specific geometric characteristics that enable localized deformation. The reticular pattern in each sector is optimized to provide uniform pressure distribution in that specific region, allowing different parts of the strap to have different local properties for optimal performance.
2Strength
If a plate-like body with auxetic structure is used in the tightening strap, then the tightening capacity is improved, but the pressure distribution uniformity and fitting comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the plate into multiple flat sectors with reticular structures, the strap can distribute the tightening force more uniformly across the cuff surface. Each sector acts as an independent pressure distribution unit, preventing concentration of stress at single points and improving overall comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The reticular structure in each flat sector is designed to provide localized pressure distribution characteristics. This local optimization ensures that each region of the strap contacts and distributes pressure evenly across the cuff surface, improving fitting comfort while maintaining high tightening capacity.
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 ensures uniform pressure distribution and enhanced fitting comfort by allowing the strap to locally adapt to the cuff's profile, improving both tightening capacity and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic plate-like body (4), which has a monolithic structure and is divided into a plurality of contiguous flat sectors (7a), each of which has a macroscopic reticular structure with auxetic behaviour, capable of stretching and widening in elastic manner when the plate-like body (4) is subjected to traction
Implementation Method 2
capable of stretching and widening in elastic manner when the plate-like body (4) is subjected to traction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Tightening strap (1) for ski boots adapted to be wound in a loop around the cuff (102) of a ski boot (100) to tighten said cuff (102) on the user's leg; the tightening strap (1) comprising an oblong flexible element (2), which is adapted to be wound around the cuff (102) and includes at least one elastic member with auxetic behaviour formed by an oblong plate-like body (4), which has a monolithic structure and is divided into a plurality of contiguous flat sectors (7a), 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 (4) is subjected to traction, and also differs from that of the adjacent flat sectors (7a).