Ski Boot Cable Tightening Mechanism for Shell Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front entry alpine ski boots require powerful tightening mechanisms due to the need to deform the rigid shell for fitting and tightening, which can compromise ease of use and comfort, while existing solutions for ski touring boots are not directly applicable to downhill skiing due to differences in rigidity and design.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot design featuring a shell base and collar with axial fixing means, a cable tightening system, and a strap mechanism that includes medial and lateral loops and an anchoring ring for precise and easy tightening, allowing the shell base to adapt to the foot's morphology while maintaining rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If powerful tightening mechanisms (buckle hooks, rack and pinion, knee mechanism) are used to deform the rigid shell for fitting and tightening, then the shell can be adapted to the foot's morphology, but the ease of use and comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tightening mechanisms (buckle hooks, rack and pinion, knee mechanism) with a cable and winder system. The cable runs through guides attached to the shell base and collar, and when the winder is turned, it tensions the cable to deform the shell base and adapt it to the foot. This substitution maintains the rigid shell's adaptation capability while dramatically improving ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cable that acts as a flexible element to transmit tightening force through the rigid shell structure. The cable allows the rigid shell base to deform controllably during tightening while maintaining its overall rigidity for performance, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
2Strength
If the shell base is made rigid for downhill skiing performance, then steering performance is improved, but the ability to deform for tightening is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shell into a rigid shell base and a collar that can articulate relative to each other. The shell base itself is kept rigid for steering performance, but the cable tightening system acts on specific portions of the shell base to create controlled local deformations for adaptation, while the overall rigid structure maintains steering performance.
3Ease of operation
If cable and winder tightening devices are used in ski touring boots with flexible shells, then ease of use is improved, but the tightening efficiency is insufficient for rigid downhill ski boots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guides as intermediary elements that attach the cable to the rigid shell base at multiple points. These guides ensure the cable effectively transmits tightening force to deform the rigid shell base, making the cable and winder system efficient for rigid downhill ski boots rather than just flexible touring boots.
Data Source
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AI summary
Ski boot (1) comprising a lower shell (21), a cuff (22) fixed to said lower shell by means of at least two axial fixing means, a rigid shell (2) and tightening means; said at least two fixing means comprising a medial fixing means (231), respectively a lateral fixing means (232), substantially located with regard to the user's medial malleolus, respectively substantially located with regard to his lateral malleolus; said lower shell comprising a medial flap (212) and a lateral flap (213) capable of sliding relative to each other so as to adapt the internal volume of the lower shell;said tightening means include a cable (32), an anchoring means (35) for said cable on one of the flaps of the shell base, a medial loop (331) fixed on the medial flap, a lateral loop (333) fixed on the lateral flap (213), a tensioning mechanism (31, 31') for the cable and a third loop (332) which is fixed to the distal end of a strap (36), said strap being secured to the shell (2) by its proximal end by means of the lateral fixing means (232) or the medial fixing means (231). Preferably, said strap is retained by means of an anchor ring (362) on said medial or lateral fastening means and said anchor ring includes a first opening (3621) for connecting the strap with the ring and a second opening (3622) adapted to surround said medial or lateral fastening means so as to allow rotation of the strap around the medial or lateral fastening means.