Removable Ski Boot Tongue for Foot Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ski boots often cause discomfort and pain, particularly at the top of the foot due to the rigid outer shell, which does not adequately adapt to individual foot morphologies, despite the use of thermoformable foams and materials.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot design featuring a movable tongue with a rigid and flexible portion, allowing for easy removal and modification, including the use of hook-and-loop strips for attachment, and the option to add shock-absorbing pads for improved comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid outer shell is used to provide firm support and force transmission, then skiing performance and support are improved, but comfort and adaptation to individual foot morphology deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is divided into a rigid portion (for structural support and force transmission) and a flexible portion (for comfort and adaptation to foot morphology). This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tongue have different mechanical properties: the rigid portion provides structural support where needed, while the flexible portion provides comfort and adaptation where it contacts the foot. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between support and comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermoformable foams are used to adapt the inner liner to foot morphology, then comfort is improved, but the solution is limited to areas with significant foam thickness and requires heating equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is separable into rigid and flexible portions that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows users to modify only the specific portion affecting comfort without requiring heating equipment or complex tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable tongue portions can be easily replaced with alternative portions if comfort issues arise, providing a simple, low-cost solution compared to permanent thermoforming modifications.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tongue is made as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to individual user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue consists of a rigid portion and a flexible portion that can be separately manufactured and then assembled together using removable attachment means. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling post-manufacturing adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue configuration can be dynamically changed by removing and replacing portions, allowing the same boot to adapt to different users or the same user's changing needs over time.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Ski boot (1) comprising an outer shell (2) and an inner comfort liner (3), said liner (3) having a front opening (31) and a movable tongue (5) which is fixed at its lower end (53) to the forefoot area (32) of the liner by means of removable fastening means (511) and which ensures the closure of said front opening (31); the tongue (5) being made up of a rigid portion (51), which is integral with said removable fastening means (511) and a flexible portion (52), said rigid (51) and flexible (52) portions being independent of each other; the flexible portion (52) of said tongue (5) having a rear face (521) intended to come into contact with the foot of a user and a front face (522);said front face (522) comprising a first opening (523) allowing the said rigid portion (51) to be placed and removed from an internal housing (525) provided between said rear face (521) and said front face (522), as well as a second opening (524) through which said removable fastening means (511) can pass when the rigid portion (51) is in place in the internal housing (525).