Eccentric Tension Lock with Curved Self-Locking Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tension lock devices for shoes, such as ski and snowboard boots, are difficult to manufacture cheaply and are prone to wear, with fine adjustments often requiring tools and causing stress on the shoe surface.
Innovation Solution
A tension lock device with a hook pivot part and hook slide part, featuring an eccentric adjustment mechanism with convexly curved contact and guide surfaces that self-lock under tensile load, allowing for stepless fine adjustment without additional locking elements and tool use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an eccentric adjustment device with toothed plate is used, then fine adjustment is achieved, but stress and wear on the shoe surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the curved guide surface on the eccentric module working with the curved contact surface on the hook slide part) that mediates between the adjustment function and the shoe surface, transferring the adjustment action away from direct contact with the shoe material and eliminating wear on the shoe surface
2Manufacturing precision
If a disk engaging annular section is used, then fine adjustment is achieved, but tool requirement increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the eccentric module with its curved guide surface automatically converts rotational movement into linear adjustment movement without requiring external tools. The hook slide part engages with the eccentric module directly, allowing the user to perform fine adjustment simply by rotating the eccentric module with their finger
3Reliability
If additional clamping and locking elements are added, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of tensile load (which could cause loosening) into a beneficial self-locking mechanism. The curved contact surfaces are designed so that the tensile load creates friction and geometric interlocking that automatically prevents loosening, eliminating the need for additional locking elements while actually improving security through the load itself
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
Enables easy, secure, and cost-effective manufacturing with precise, stepless adjustment of the tension lock device, reducing wear and eliminating the need for tools, while ensuring a secure clamping force through self-locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The eccentric adjustment device has at least one rotatably mounted eccentric module which is in operative connection with the hook slide part in such a way that a rotary movement of the eccentric module about an axis of rotation is converted into a linear movement of the hook slide part along a longitudinal axis of the clamping device
Implementation Method 2
The frictional forces that occur between the adjacent surfaces counteract any unintentional rotation of the disk
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A tension closure device (1) for shoes, in particular for ski or snowboard boots, is described, comprising at least one tension lever (2) articulated to the shoe and a multi-part tensioning device (3), wherein the tensioning device (3) has at least one hook pivot part (7) and a hook slide part (8) cooperating with the hook pivot part (7). The hook pivot part (7) is articulated to the tension lever (2), and the hook slide part (8) is connected at a first end (8') to an eccentric adjustment device (5) for fine adjustment of the tension force, wherein the eccentric adjustment device (5) has at least one rotatably mounted eccentric module (9), and wherein the eccentric module (9) is operatively connected to the hook slide part (8) such that a rotational movement of the eccentric module (9) about an axis of rotation (DA) is converted into a linear movement of the hook slide part (8) along a longitudinal axis (LA) of the tension closure device (1).The hook slide part (8) is equipped in the area of its first end (8') with a contact section (10) having a convexly curved contact surface (11) and the eccentric module (9) has at least one convexly curved guide surface (12) extending eccentrically around a central axis (MA) for contacting the contact section (10).