Dual-Segment Tongue Pivoting for Ski Boot Comfort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports shoes, particularly ski mountaineering boots, fail to optimally transition between rigid skiing and flexible walking conditions, often causing discomfort and accidents due to a rigid tongue that interferes with the tibial zone during walking.
Innovation Solution
A sports shoe design featuring a dual-segment tongue that pivots between rigid and flexible configurations, allowing the shoe to adapt to skiing and walking conditions without requiring opening of auxiliary closing systems, with the second segment overlapping the first to enhance resistance during skiing and follow leg movement during walking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the tongue is made rigid to support forward weight and protect against impacts during skiing, then the protective function and structural support are improved, but the tongue interferes with the tibial zone during walking causing discomfort and blisters
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is divided into two segments: a first rigid segment for protection and support, and a second flexible segment that can pivot relative to the first segment. This segmentation allows the tongue to provide rigid support during skiing while the flexible second segment can move away from the tibial zone during walking, eliminating discomfort and blisters.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the second segment can pivot relative to the first segment. This dynamic capability allows the tongue to adapt its configuration based on the activity: rigid and extended during skiing for protection, and flexible and retracted during walking to avoid interfering with the tibial zone.
2Ease of operation
If the casing parts are loosened and made flexible to facilitate walking and ankle articulation, then the ease of movement is improved, but the control and stability during skiing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The casing incorporates a dynamic mechanism that allows selective transformation between rigid and flexible states. During skiing, the casing maintains a rigid configuration for optimal control and stability. During walking, the casing can be transformed into a flexible state that permits natural ankle articulation and comfortable movement, resolving the contradiction between skiing control and walking comfort.
3Ease of operation
If the auxiliary closing systems are opened to allow walking, then the ease of movement is improved, but the security of the foot positioning inside the shoe deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closing system is segmented into auxiliary closing elements and the main tongue structure. The auxiliary closing elements can be independently opened or adjusted to allow walking freedom, while the main tongue structure with its two-segment design maintains foot positioning security through the rigid first segment and the pivoting mechanism of the second segment, eliminating the need to fully open the closing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing system incorporates dynamic elements that allow selective adjustment. The auxiliary closing systems can be partially opened or adjusted to provide walking freedom while maintaining sufficient security for foot positioning. The two-segment tongue with its pivoting capability dynamically adapts to maintain foot security regardless of the state of the auxiliary closing systems.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Structural element (10) for a sports shoe (11) provided with a casing (12) able to be selectively configured between a first rigid condition and a second flexible condition. The structural element (10) comprises a tongue (17), shaped and provided at least with a first segment (19), or lower segment, attached to the casing (12), and a second segment (20), or upper segment, pivoted to the first segment (19), so as to be selectively taken to a first operating position in which it is rigidly aligned with the first segment (19), and a second operating position in which it is free to incline with respect to the first segment (19) and substantially follows the movement of the tibial zone of the user's leg.