Ski Boot Cable Winch Relocation for Heel Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ski mountaineering boots have a limited ability to retain the heel of the user's foot and expose the semi-rigid lateral strap and cable winding winch to impact damage, leading to structural issues and operational problems during skiing.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot design featuring a foot-casing closing assembly with a flexible cable winding winch positioned on the cuff, protected from impacts, and a locking mechanism that effectively retains the heel, using a combination of fairlead members and a cable system integrated with a rigid and flexible oblong tongue for enhanced stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the semi-rigid lateral strap and cable winding winch are positioned on the foot-casing closing assembly, then the foot-casing can be closed and tightened over the user's foot, but the components are exposed to impact damage from ski edges
Solution Approach 1:
The cable winding winch is extracted from its conventional position on the foot-casing and relocated to the cuff, which is positioned higher on the user's leg. This extraction removes the vulnerable components from the impact zone where ski edges can strike, while the foot-casing closing assembly remains functional through the cable mechanism that runs through fairlead members.
2Ease of operation
If the conventional foot-casing closing assembly is used, then the foot can be immobilized inside the protective inner-boot, but the heel retention capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cable mechanism is configured to extend along the longitudinal axis of the foot-casing, creating a new dimensional approach to heel retention. The cable runs from the winch on the cuff, through fairlead members positioned along the tongue and lateral side, to anchorage on the heel area, providing retention force in the longitudinal direction that complements the conventional circumferential tightening.
3Ease of operation
If the cable winding winch is positioned on the foot-casing closing assembly, then the foot-casing can be tightened, but the winch is subject to shear hits that affect structure and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable winding winch is extracted from the foot-casing closing assembly and relocated to the cuff. This removes the winch from the direct path of shear hits that occur during skiing when ski edges impact the boot. The winch on the cuff is positioned in a more protected area that is less susceptible to these shear forces, while the foot-casing tightening function is maintained through the cable mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Ski boot (1) comprising: a substantially rigid foot-casing (2), which is adapted to accommodate the foot of the user; a substantially rigid cuff (3), which is adapted to surround the lower part of the leg of the user, and is hinged on the foot-casing (2) so as to be able to swing about a transversal rotation axis (A), which is substantially perpendicular to the boot midplane; an oblong-shaped tongue (15), which is arranged longitudinally to close the upper part of the foot-casing (2); and a foot-casing closing assembly (17), which is adapted to close/tighten the upper part of the foot-casing (2) on the foot of the user and comprises: a first fairlead member (20), which is located on the hinge (11) that connects the cuff (3) to the foot-casing (2); a plurality of second fairlead members (21), which are arranged along a first major longitudinal edge (15a) of the tongue (15), in part integral with the foot-casing (2) and in part integral with the tongue (15); and a cable winding winch (22), which is located on the cuff (3) or on the tongue (15) and is provided with a flexible cable (23), which comes out from the cable winding winch (22) itself, engages in freely slidable manner and in succession said first (20) and said second (21) fairlead members, and has the distal end fastened to the tongue (15) or to the foot-casing (2).