Ski Binding Heelpiece Tongue Material Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heel pieces for sports shoes on gliding boards face issues such as inadequate tongue support, non-ideal coefficient of friction, and rapid wear, leading to difficulties in putting on and releasing the shoe, as well as compatibility problems with various footwear types.
Innovation Solution
A heel piece design featuring a movable heel grip with a separate, adjustable tongue formed from a different material, allowing for optimized material selection for durability and friction, and a modular tongue that can be customized in shape and size for better fit and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the tongue is made from the same rigid plastic material as the heel grip through injection molding, then the manufacturing is simple and inexpensive, but the tongue exhibits rapid wear and has non-optimal friction coefficient for release phases
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is separated from the heel grip assembly and made as a distinct replaceable component. This allows the tongue to be manufactured from materials optimized for its specific functions (wear resistance and friction control) while the heel grip can be made from rigid plastic for structural integrity. The segmentation enables independent material optimization and replacement of the tongue when worn.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs different materials for the tongue and heel grip to optimize performance. The tongue can be made from materials with superior wear resistance and controlled friction coefficients (such as polyethylene or other polymers), while the heel grip maintains its rigid plastic construction for structural strength. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and tongue reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tongue has a fixed dimension from injection molding, then the manufacturing is straightforward, but the tongue is too short or thin for adequate shoe support and compatibility with various footwear types
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is designed as a dynamic, adjustable component rather than a fixed-dimension part. It can be extended or modified in length and thickness to accommodate different footwear types (hiking boots, alpine ski boots, junior boots). The adjustable nature allows the same heel piece to adapt to various shoe configurations while maintaining straightforward manufacturing of the base component.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue is designed as a universal, interchangeable component that can serve multiple footwear types. By making the tongue adjustable and replaceable, a single heel grip assembly can accommodate various boot styles and sizes. The tongue's dimensions can be modified or replaced to match different footwear requirements, providing universal compatibility without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tongue shape is constrained by injection process requirements, then the manufacturing is simple, but the tongue cannot provide sufficient support surface area for proper shoe fitting
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the tongue from the injection-molded heel grip, the tongue can be manufactured using processes better suited for creating large, flat support surfaces. The tongue can be made as a separate component with optimized geometry for maximum contact area with the shoe, while the heel grip itself remains simple to manufacture through injection molding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing requirements.
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
Facilitates easier fitting and release of the shoe while providing improved durability and adaptability to different footwear types, reducing wear and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
whose coefficient of friction is not ideal for the tripping function
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The heelpiece has a heel grip (10) secured to a tubular movable body (11) pivoting about a hinge axis (14), and a tongue provided in a lower anterior part of the grip. A rear part of a sole of a sports boot is rested on the anterior part. Entire/small portion of the tongue is formed by a separate part (3) of the grip. The tongue has a base (22) and a top layer (2) superposed at the base and pertaining to the part from the base. The entire/small portion of the separate part of the heel grip is made of a material different from that of the mobile body and/or the heel grip and/or the base. An independent claim is also included for a device for binding a ski boot on a ski.