Ski Boot Cuff Lever Mechanism for Ergonomic Configuration Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alpine ski and ski touring boots face difficulties in easily and quickly switching between skiing and walking configurations due to tensioned locking cables and complex lever operations, especially when using gloves, which hinder ergonomic walking and efficient reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
The boot features a hinged cuff with a closing lever mechanically connected to a closing cable and a hooking plate that securely fastens to a fastening pin, allowing easy locking and unlocking with reduced need for manual dexterity, eliminating the need for a buckle ladder mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the locking cables of the cuff remain tensioned in walking configuration, then the cuff rotation is unlocked, but the user cannot walk easily due to restricted tibial movement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent functions: cuff rotation locking (via the rod and guide) and cuff closure locking (via the lever and cable). This allows the rotation to be unlocked while maintaining closure tension, or both to be unlocked together for easy walking, resolving the contradiction between rotation freedom and walking comfort
2Ease of operation
If the user opens the locking levers to facilitate walking, then tibial movement improves, but the operation becomes complex and uncomfortable especially with gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the rotation unlocking function and the closure unlocking function into a single lever operation. When the lever is opened, it simultaneously releases both the rod (unlocking rotation) and the cable (loosening closure), allowing easy tibial movement without complex sequential operations, thus resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and operational simplicity
3Reliability
If the user must reposition cuff levers to close configuration before locking cuff rotation, then the locking mechanism can engage, but the operation becomes difficult especially when wearing gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is designed so that the lever opening action preliminarily performs both unlocking functions (rotation and closure) simultaneously. This eliminates the need for subsequent lever repositioning to close configuration before rotation locking can engage, making the locking process reliable and easy even with gloves
4Productivity
If multiple operations are required to switch between skiing and walking configurations, then the switching speed decreases, but the user can maintain control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple unlocking/locking operations into a single lever action. Opening the lever simultaneously unlocks both cuff rotation and closure, enabling rapid transition to walking configuration. Conversely, closing the lever simultaneously locks both functions, enabling rapid transition to skiing configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between switching speed and operational control
Data Source
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AI summary
An alpine ski or ski touring boot (4) comprising a lower part or shell (8), adapted to enclose the foot of the user, and an upper part or cuff (12), adapted to enclose the lower part of the leg of the skier, - wherein the cuff (12) is hinged to the shell (8) so as to rotate, with respect to the shell (8), about hinges (16) defining a rotation axis (X-X), forward, towards a tip (20) of the boot (4), and backward, towards a heel (22) of the boot (4), - wherein the cuff (12) comprises a closing lever (32) adapted to selectively lock and/or unlock the rotation of the cuff (12) with respect to the shell (8), depending on whether the user wishes to switch from the skiing configuration to the walking configuration, respectively, characterized in that - the closing lever (32) is mechanically connected to at least one closing cable (36) of the cuff (12) which at least partially wraps the cuff (12) to allow the closing and opening thereof, - the cuff (12) is provided with at least one fastening pin (40), which is integral with the cuff (12) itself, - the closing cable (36) is provided with a hooking plate (48) at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the fastening pin (40) so as to achieve a mechanical coupling to the fastening pin (40).