Monocoque Goalie Skate Boot with Integral Blade Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional goalie skates suffer from inadequate rigidity, increased outer dimensions due to plastic cowling, and limited adjustability of the boot and blade position, which hinder quick movements and mobility on the ice.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece goalie skate with a carbon fiber support structure that integrates a plastic blade channel, eliminating the need for a separate cowling and allowing for optimized blade positioning, featuring a monocoque design and a toe cap with a fibre and resin composite material for enhanced protection and reduced width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate plastic cowling is used to protect the boot, then protection is improved, but the outer dimensions increase and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function previously provided by the separate plastic cowling is merged into the boot body itself. The boot body is constructed with rigid protective material that directly provides protection without requiring an external cowling, thereby eliminating the additional outer dimensions while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate plastic cowling is extracted/removed from the skate assembly. By eliminating this separate component and integrating its protective function into the boot body, the outer dimensions are reduced while the protective capability is maintained through the boot's own structural design.
2Reliability
If a separate plastic cowling is used to house the blade, then blade mounting is improved, but the boot position cannot be optimized and flexing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The blade mounting function is merged with the boot body structure. The boot body directly provides the blade receiving channel and mounting mechanism, eliminating the separate cowling. This integration allows the boot position to be optimized for performance while maintaining reliable blade mounting through the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid construction of the boot body eliminates flexing and bending that occurred with the separate cowling design. The unified structure provides dynamic stability during movement, allowing the blade to remain firmly mounted while the boot maintains its optimized position for quick movements and butterfly positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If thermoformed plastic boot with riveted cowling is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but rigidity is insufficient and energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The boot body is constructed using composite materials that provide both the necessary rigidity and manufacturability. By using materials with higher strength-to-weight ratios and appropriate structural design, the boot achieves sufficient rigidity to prevent energy loss during quick movements while remaining manufacturable through modern composite fabrication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A goalie skate assembly has i) a plastic blade mounting member adapted to releasably receive a metal skate blade therein, and ii) a monocoque carbon fiber and resin composite skate boot body for receiving a foot of the user therein. The unitary structure of the skate boot body includes i) a sole portion, ii) a heel portion extending upwardly from the sole portion for receiving a heel of the user therein, iii) a pair of side portions extending upwardly from opposing sides of the sole portion, and iv) a lower portion extending downwardly from a bottom side of the sole portion so as to surround at least a portion of the blade mounting member. A toe cap mounted on the skate boot body includes a molded plastic outer shell and a liner formed of a fiber and resin composite material bonded to an inner surface of the outer shell.