Ski Boot Dynamic Support Strap Tongue Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern ski boots face issues with the mobility of the boot liner tongue, which can lead to compromised fit, comfort, and control during use, as it moves out of position, causing inefficiencies in energy transfer and discomfort due to improper positioning and reduced contact with the shin.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic support strap system that includes a restraint element connected to a band, which engages the tongue to limit its upward, forward, and lateral motion, ensuring it remains within a desired range, thereby maintaining optimal foot and heel positioning and reducing the need for overly tight buckles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tongue is allowed to move freely for ease of insertion and accommodation of foot shapes, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the tongue moves out of position during use compromising fit, comfort, and control
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is divided into two functional zones: an upper portion that remains stationary relative to the shell to maintain control and fit, and a lower portion that moves with the foot during insertion and removal. This segmentation allows the tongue to provide both stability during skiing and ease of operation during donning/doffing.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection element (such as a pivot, hinge, or flexible joint) is introduced between the upper and lower portions of the tongue. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled movement of the lower portion while keeping the upper portion stable, mediating between the conflicting requirements of mobility and stability.
2Reliability
If buckles are tightened to secure the tongue position, then tongue position stability is improved, but blood circulation is reduced causing cold and painful feet
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue stabilization function is separated from the buckling system. Instead of relying on tight buckles to hold the entire tongue in place, only the upper portion is secured, allowing buckles to be loosened for improved blood circulation while maintaining tongue position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue retention function is extracted from the general cuff tightening function. The upper tongue portion is specifically anchored to the shell, removing the need to overtighten buckles solely for tongue stabilization, thereby eliminating the harmful side effect of restricted blood flow.
3Reliability
If buckles are tightened to prevent tongue movement, then tongue position stability is improved, but ankle articulation mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is segmented into a fixed upper portion attached to the shell and a movable lower portion that moves with the ankle. This allows the upper portion to provide stable reference for control while the lower portion accommodates full ankle articulation range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tongue have different mobility characteristics: the upper portion is fixed to provide stability and control, while the lower portion is mobile to accommodate ankle movement. This local differentiation of quality resolves the contradiction between stability and mobility.
4Reliability
If the tongue is secured firmly to maintain position, then fit and control are improved, but comfort is reduced due to pressure and restricted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is divided into a firmly secured upper portion that provides fit and control, and a freely moving lower portion that moves with the foot. This segmentation concentrates the securing forces on the upper portion, reducing pressure on the foot while maintaining boot fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue retention function is extracted and localized to the upper portion only. The lower portion is released from securing forces, eliminating pressure discomfort on the foot while the upper portion continues to provide the necessary fit and control.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a ski boot includes a plastic shell, a boot liner partly received within the plastic shell, and the boot liner including a tongue having an upper edge, and a dynamic support strap. The dynamic support strap includes a band connected to the plastic shell, and a restraint element connected to the band, the restraint element including a wall and a lip that together define an undercut area behind the wall, and the undercut area is configured and arranged to receive a portion of the upper edge of the tongue when the restraint element is operably positioned with respect to the tongue.