Gliding Boot Elastic Tongue for Rebound Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gliding boots fail to achieve optimal rebound characteristics, dynamic control, and ease of manufacturing simultaneously, leading to insufficient performance in guiding gliding boards during alpine skiing and other sports.
Innovation Solution
A gliding boot design featuring a lower shell and articulated collar with an upwardly extending tongue connected via an elastic means, allowing for elastic return force generation when the collar pivots, enhancing rebound and control without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastic strap is used to produce constant pressure on the tibia, then control of skis is improved, but rebound characteristics remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into functionally distinct components: a lower shell for foot support, an articulated collar for leg movement, and a separate elastic tongue for rebound generation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the collar provides control while the tongue specifically addresses rebound characteristics that were insufficient in previous integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tongue is pre-configured with specific elastic properties and geometric dimensions (height, width, thickness) to generate the desired rebound force before the skiing action occurs. When the collar articulates forward, the tongue is already positioned to compress and store elastic energy, which is then released to enhance rebound characteristics without requiring additional active control during the skiing motion.
2Reliability
If complex elastic mechanisms are added to improve rebound, then rebound characteristics are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex mechanical mechanisms, the invention achieves enhanced rebound by changing the parameters of an existing simple component - the tongue. By adjusting the tongue's elastic modulus, dimensions (height between 5-20 cm, width between 5-30 mm, thickness), and material composition, optimal rebound characteristics are obtained while maintaining the simplicity of the overall boot structure and manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue is made from elastic materials such as elastomers or polyurethane, which provide the necessary rebound properties. This use of composite or specialized materials allows the tongue to function as a self-contained rebound mechanism without requiring additional springs, dampers, or complex mechanical elements, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving reliable rebound characteristics.
3Reliability
If the tongue is made as a separate component, then rebound characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is integrated with the lower shell through a monobloc construction or secure fastening system, merging two functional elements (support structure and rebound element) into a unified assembly. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the rebound-enhancing functionality of the tongue.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support as part of the boot's framework, generates rebound force through its elastic properties, and maintains the articulation between the lower shell and collar. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving improved rebound characteristics.
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 boot achieves improved rebound characteristics by approximately 40% compared to conventional designs, providing dynamic, precise, and effort-efficient guidance of gliding boards while maintaining simplicity and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic means, a first end of the tongue being fastened to the lower shell, and a second end of the tongue being connected to the collar via the elastic means. The elastic means can be configured to produce an elastic return force in the direction in which the tongue extends.
Data Source
AI summary
Gliding boot (1) including a lower shell (2) and a collar (4), the lower shell (2) being intended to receive a user's foot, the collar (4) being intended to envelop a lower leg of the user, the collar being articulated in rotation about the lower shell, the gliding boot further including an upwardly extending tongue (10) to the rear of the gliding boot and an elastic means (26), a first end of the tongue being fastened to the lower shell (2), and a second end of the tongue (10) being connected to the collar (4) via the elastic means (26).