Custom Fitting Device for Ski Boots Using Segmented Pneumatic Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski and snowboard boots with custom fitting devices face inefficiencies in holding the foot firm during dynamic sports activities, as single or multiple air chambers often fail to counter external stresses due to air flow issues, and previous solutions are either impractical, complex, or economically disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
A ski or snowboard boot featuring a custom fitting device with multiple independent expandable bladders arranged at different foot regions, connected via a pneumatic system with integrated pumps and release controls, allowing for customizable inflation and deflation, and constructed as a single-piece support element for ease of mounting and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air chamber is provided between the shell and the inner boot, then the structure is simple, but the efficiency in holding the wearer's foot firm during sports activity is poor due to air flow towards lower pressure areas
Solution Approach 1:
The single air chamber is divided into multiple independent air chambers (first air chamber and second air chamber) that are separated and independent from each other. Each chamber can be inflated or deflated independently, preventing air from flowing to lower pressure areas and thereby improving foot retention efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple independent air chambers are provided and can be inflated separately by an external pump, then the foot retention efficiency is improved, but the pump can be easily lost by the user and becomes a hindrance to sports activity
Solution Approach 1:
The external pump is integrated into the boot structure by incorporating it into the inner boot. The pump is now part of the footwear system rather than a separate external device, eliminating the risk of loss and preventing it from being a hindrance during sports activities. The pump remains functional for inflating the air chambers while being securely attached to the boot.
3Reliability
If multiple air chambers are provided, then the foot retention efficiency is improved, but the difficulty related to positioning and mounting each air chamber within the shoe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air chambers are nested within the boot structure, with the first air chamber arranged between the shell and the inner boot, and the second air chamber arranged within the inner boot. This nested arrangement simplifies positioning and mounting, as each chamber has a designated space within the existing boot architecture, reducing the complexity of assembly while maintaining the benefits of multiple independent chambers.
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
The solution provides efficient and stable foot retention during skiing or snowboarding by preventing air flow to lower pressure areas, simplifying construction and use, and reducing the risk of component loss, while being economically advantageous and easy to integrate into the boot.
Implementation Method 1
The expansion of the bladders is obtained by means of a pneumatic system, through which air or any other suitable gas is pumped to inflate the bladders
Implementation Method 2
or by injecting polyurethane or silicone foam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to sports footwear having a custom fitting device (4) comprising a plurality of expandable bladders (5, 6) arranged within the footwear (1) at a respective plurality of regions of the wearer's foot; an actuation unit (7) can be associated to the footwear (1) in fluid communication with the bladders (5, 6) by means of suitable connection means (10, 11) to actuate the selective expansion of the bladders (5, 6); the bladders (5, 6) and the connection means (10, 11) are integrally formed on a support element (14) made in one piece at least partly wrapping the wearer's foot and fastened to the footwear (1).