Ski Boot Collar Oblique Flap Tightening for Shell Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Alpine ski shoes with rigid external structures face challenges in maintaining precision during high-speed skiing due to deformation of the shell and collar, which affects leg flexion and piloting accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A ski shoe design featuring a rigid external structure with a shell and collar that includes medial and lateral horizontal flaps for volume adjustment, a cylindrical sleeve with vertical flaps for leg encirclement, and an oblique flap with a tightening mechanism to prevent medial flank deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cuff is rigidly fixed to the shell, then the structural strength and support are improved, but the precision of ski control deteriorates during high-speed skiing due to shell deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into two separate parts: an articulated collar portion that allows leg flexion and a rigid lower collar portion that provides structural support. This segmentation enables each part to perform its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure with articulated portions that can move relative to the shell. This allows the collar to adapt to leg movements while maintaining overall structural integrity, preventing shell deformation during flexion.
2Ease of operation
If the shell deforms during leg flexion, then the comfort and flexibility are improved, but the precision of steering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is segmented into articulated and rigid portions, allowing the articulated part to accommodate leg flexion while the rigid part maintains steering precision. This prevents the shell from deforming during flexion movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated collar portion acts as an intermediary between the leg and the rigid shell structure. It absorbs and accommodates leg movements, preventing these movements from causing shell deformation that would affect steering precision.
3Ease of operation
If the collar is articulated to the shell at the malleolus level, then the natural leg articulation is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates during high-speed skiing
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into an articulated upper portion for natural leg movement and a rigid lower portion for structural stability. This segmentation allows both natural articulation and structural stability to coexist during high-speed skiing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the collar have different mechanical properties: the upper portion is articulated to allow natural leg movement, while the lower portion is rigid to provide structural stability. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between articulation and stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Ski boot comprising a rigid external structure within which a comfort liner is inserted; Said rigid external structure comprising a shell (2) which has a sole (21) oriented along a horizontal plane Ph and which is intended to receive the foot of a user and a cuff (3) which is fixed to the shell and which is intended to surround the lower leg of the user; Said shell comprising a medial horizontal flap (231) and a lateral horizontal flap (221) capable of sliding over each other to reduce the volume of said shell; Said cuff comprising a sleeve (31) of substantially cylindrical shape surmounting a lateral tab (34) which is located opposite the lateral malleolus of the user and a medial tab (35) which is located opposite the medial malleolus of the user;Said sleeve comprising a lateral vertical flap (33) and a medial vertical flap (32) adapted to overlap so as to tighten the sleeve against the lower leg of the user; Said collar further comprises an oblique flap (37) which is issued from said medial tab (35) or said lateral tab (34) and which partially covers said medial horizontal flap (231) and/or said lateral horizontal flap (221) and an oblique tightening means (41) applies a tightening force which is exerted on a circumference C1 of said oblique flap, said circumference C1 belonging to a plane P1 which makes an angle with the horizontal plane Ph of between 30° and 50°.