Ski Boot Cable Tightening System for Uniform Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ski boots for touring face challenges in achieving a balance between rigidity for downhill skiing and lightness for uphill phases, with existing tightening mechanisms often resulting in uneven tension distribution and increased weight due to rigid tongues and cable systems.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot design featuring a bottom shell with an upper notch and a cable-based tightening system where the first anchor is placed near the posterior zone, with the cable tensioning mechanism on a cover and a strap, ensuring uniform tension across the notch length, and optionally using a second cable for enhanced lacing zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid tongue is installed to cover the upper notch, then the boot becomes stiffer and more supportive, but the boot weight increases and forward flexion movement is stiffened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rigid tongue component entirely from the boot structure. Instead of using a rigid tongue to cover and tighten the upper notch, the invention employs a cable-based tightening system that operates without this intermediate rigid element, thereby eliminating the weight penalty while maintaining the necessary structural support through the shell design itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical tongue-based tightening system with a cable and winder mechanism. This substitution allows for a lighter construction while achieving the same or better tightening effect through a different mechanical approach that does not require rigid intermediate components
2Ease of operation
If a cable and winder tensioning mechanism is used, then the tightening can be adjusted, but friction in the cable loops causes uneven tension distribution with the upper part much tighter than the lower part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional cable routing approach. Instead of anchoring the cable at the front and pulling backward through loops, the cable is anchored at the rear of the upper notch and pulls forward. This reversal changes the friction distribution pattern, allowing for more uniform tension application across the entire length of the upper notch rather than concentrating tension at the front
3Device complexity
If the cable anchor is placed close to the front area of the notch, then the tightening mechanism is simpler, but it is difficult to tighten the front area correctly and uniformity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric cable anchor placement, positioning the anchor at the rear of the upper notch rather than at the front or center. This asymmetric positioning creates an optimal leverage and friction distribution that enables uniform tightening across the entire notch length, solving the problem of uneven tension that plagues symmetric or front-anchored designs
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
This design provides a lighter, more rigid ski boot with uniform tightening across the notch length, reducing fatigue and energy expenditure while maintaining ankle support during skiing.
Implementation Method 1
the friction generated by the friction of the cable inside the loops results in the upper part of the notch being much tighter than the lower part
Data Source
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AI summary
Ski boot (1), comprising an essentially rigid outer shell adapted to receive the foot of a user; said outer shell being made up of a lower shell (2) and a cuff (4) fixed to the lower shell so as to be able to pivot and adapted to surround the lower part of the user's leg; said lower shell comprising a sole (3), a medial side (21) and a lateral side (22), the upper edges of each of these sides being disjointed and thus defining an upper notch (7) which extends between an anterior zone (71), located near the front portion of the lower shell and a posterior zone (72), located near the upper part of the lower shell; said lower shell being equipped with tightening means which include: a cable (61), said cable being fixed by means of a first anchorage (611) on the lower shell; a cable tensioning mechanism (62);a hood (63), fixed by at least one second anchor (631) to the bottom of the shell; a strap (64), fixed by a third anchor (641); and a plurality of loops (651, 652, 653, 654). Said shoe being characterized in that: said first anchor (611) is located near the posterior area (72) of the upper cutout (7); the cable tensioning mechanism is fixed to the hood (63); at least one of the loops (653) of the plurality of loops is fixed to the hood (63); at least one of the loops (654) of the plurality of loops is fixed to a free end of the flexible strap (64); and the cable runs through said plurality of loops from the first anchor (611) to the cable tensioning mechanism (62).