Ski Boot Fastening Ring Structure for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ski boots with traditional fastening means suffer from increased weight, dimensions, and production costs due to the use of metal or plastic plates for anchoring levers, which also affect aesthetics and require specific attachment steps.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a ring structure as a lightweight alternative to traditional anchoring bases, where the ring is fixed directly to the boot's body using a hook, eliminating the need for plastic plates and allowing for a more compact and cost-effective fastening mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal or plastic plates are used to fix fastening means to flaps, then reliability of fastening is improved, but weight and dimensions of the boot increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the metal or plastic plates from the fastening system, replacing them with a direct integration of the stump structure into the flap itself. This removal of unnecessary components reduces weight while maintaining the essential fastening function through the lever-operated ratchet mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the previously separate plate component with the flap structure, integrating the mounting function directly into the flap. The stump is now part of the flap assembly rather than being attached via a separate plate, reducing overall component count and weight while preserving structural integrity and fastening reliability.
2Reliability
If metal or plastic plates are used to fix fastening means to flaps, then fastening reliability is improved, but dimensions of the boot increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the bulky metal or plastic plates from the fastening system, extracting only the essential functional elements (stump and lever mechanism). This reduction in component size decreases the overall volume of the boot while maintaining sufficient fastening reliability through the streamlined design.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the mounting function into the flap structure itself, the invention eliminates the need for separate plate components that occupy additional volume. The integrated design reduces the spatial footprint of the fastening system while preserving its functional effectiveness.
3Reliability
If metal or plastic plates are used to fix fastening means to flaps, then fastening reliability is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the expensive metal or plastic plates from the manufacturing process, replacing them with a simpler integrated flap structure. This reduction in material requirements and assembly steps lowers production costs while maintaining the essential reliability of the fastening mechanism through the lever-operated ratchet system.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging previously separate components (plate and flap) into a single integrated structure, the invention reduces the number of manufacturing steps, material types, and assembly operations required. This simplification directly reduces production costs while preserving fastening reliability through the maintained integrity of the stump-and-lever mechanism.
4Reliability
If metal or plastic plates are used to fix fastening means to flaps, then fastening reliability is improved, but aesthetics of the boot are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the visually intrusive metal or plastic plates from the boot exterior, extracting only the necessary functional elements. This elimination of bulky components improves the aesthetic appearance of the boot while maintaining fastening reliability through the streamlined stump-and-lever mechanism that integrates more smoothly with the boot's design.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the mounting function into the flap structure itself, the invention creates a more seamless and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The integrated design eliminates the visual discontinuity caused by separate plates, allowing the boot to maintain a cleaner, more uniform appearance while preserving fastening functionality.
5Reliability
If metal or plastic plates are used to fix fastening means to flaps, then fastening reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the separate plate component from the manufacturing process, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining fastening reliability through the integrated flap structure that incorporates the necessary mounting features.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the plate function into the flap structure, the invention reduces the total component count and simplifies the manufacturing process. The integrated design requires fewer manufacturing steps, fewer assembly operations, and less complex supply chain management, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while preserving the reliability of the fastening mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A ski boot (4) comprising a foot portion (8), extending from a heel (12) to a tip (16), suitable to accommodate a dorsal portion of a foot, and a leg portion (20), joined to the foot portion (8) and suitable to accommodate a tibial portion, wherein, on the leg portion (20) and/or the foot portion (8), there is at least one fastening means (24) suitable to allow the mutual tightening of two mutually facing flaps (28,32) of the leg portion (20) and/or the foot portion (8). The fastening means (24) comprises a first stump (36) and a second stump (40) which may be mutually opened and closed by means of a hooking mechanism (44) by means of a lever (48), each stump (36,40) being joined to one of said flaps (28,32), - wherein at least one of said stumps (36,40) comprises a ring structure (52) which, on a working end (56), at least partially supports the hooking mechanism (44). Said ring structure (52), on a fixing end (60), opposite the working end (56), comprises a hook (64), fixed to the corresponding flap (28,32), said hook (64) blocking the fixing end (60) by means of a shape-coupling.