Ski Boot Closing Mechanism Prevents Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ski mountaineering boots face issues with the rigid floating body of the foot-casing closing mechanism rotating above the instep due to user torque and getting stuck on the thermal-insulating inner liner, leading to fitting problems.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot design featuring a foot-casing closing mechanism with oblong transversal flexible tongues and a cable-winding winch that tensions the tightening cable to flex the tongues inward, securely blocking the foot, and a protective gaiter to prevent hindrance during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rigid floating body is supported by the flexible cable alone, then the closing mechanism can operate smoothly, but the rigid floating body can rotate above the instep due to user torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second flexible cable as an intermediary support element that engages with the rigid floating body from below, working in conjunction with the first flexible cable to prevent rotation while maintaining operational smoothness. This intermediary support structure stabilizes the rigid floating body against torque applied by the user during operation.
2Strength
If the rigid floating body is linked to the front part of the foot-casing, then structural support is improved, but the rigid floating body can get stuck on the tongue of the thermal-insulating inner liner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the rigid floating body from direct linkage to the front part of the foot-casing, allowing it to float independently within the foot-casing. This extraction prevents the rigid floating body from interfering with the tongue of the thermal-insulating inner liner during insertion and opening operations, while still maintaining necessary structural support through the flexible cable system.
3Reliability
If the rigid floating body is firmly fixed to the front part of the foot-casing, then position stability is improved, but the component cannot move freely upwards and downwards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static firm fixation to a dynamic support system using flexible cables that allow the rigid floating body to move freely vertically while maintaining positional stability. The flexible cables provide adaptive support that adjusts to movement while preventing rotation, combining stability with movement freedom.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Ski boot (1) comprising: a substantially rigid foot-casing (2) which is shaped so as to accommodate the user's foot, and has the lower part structured so as to couple with a ski binding device; a substantially rigid cuff (3) which is shaped so as to surround the lower part of the user's leg, and is pivotally joined to the foot-casing (2) so as to be able to swing about a rotation axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot; and foot-casing closing means (12) which are adapted to selectively tighten the longitudinal slit (16) located on the upper part of the foot-casing (2) and which comprise: a plurality of first transversal flexible tongues (20) that are arranged inside the foot-casing (2) astride and transversal to the two longer lateral and opposite edges of the longitudinal slit (16), so as to protrude cantilevered inside of the longitudinal slit (16); a second transversal flexible tongue (21) which is arranged inside the foot-casing (2) astride and transversal to one of the two longer lateral edges of the longitudinal slit (16), so as to protrude cantilevered inside the longitudinal slit (16); and a cable-winding winch (22) which is rigidly fixed to said second transversal flexible tongue (21), within the perimeter of the longitudinal slit (16), and is provided with a tightening cable (23) that exits from the cable-winding winch (22) and engages, in a pass-through and freely sliding manner, the distal ends of the various first transversal flexible tongues (20).