Ski Boot Heel Interface and Elastic Binding for Walking Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alpine ski boots are uncomfortable and difficult to walk in due to their rigid soles, which hinder cushioning and grip on slippery or frozen surfaces, and ski touring bindings face limitations in shock absorption and lateral rigidity due to standard design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A new ski binding and boot design featuring a shock-absorbing sole with a gripping interface and a projecting element that cooperates with the binding, allowing for improved cushioning and grip while maintaining binding functionality, and a binding system with elastic mobility and indexing features for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ski boot sole is made rigid to ensure good force transfer and binding connection, then the binding connection reliability is improved, but the comfort and shock absorption during walking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into two functional zones: a rigid heel portion (about 20mm high) for binding connection and a softer forefoot portion for walking comfort. The heel counter and heel cup are made of rigid material while the toe box and forefoot area use more flexible materials, allowing each zone to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the boot have different mechanical properties: the heel area is made rigid with a stiff counter and cup for reliable binding connection, while the forefoot and toe areas are made softer and more flexible for comfort during walking and flexion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between rigidity needs and comfort requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heel overhang height is standardized for binding connection, then the binding compatibility is improved, but the shock-absorbing layer thickness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The binding connection interface is moved from the traditional sole surface to a vertical heel overhang surface. The heel counter extends vertically to create a standardized connection surface about 20mm high, perpendicular to the sole. This dimensional change allows the binding to connect to the vertical heel surface while the shock-absorbing materials can be positioned underneath and around the heel cup, effectively decoupling the connection height requirement from the shock-absorption thickness requirement.
3Reliability
If the sole is made smooth and slippery for binding safety function, then the safety release capability is improved, but the grip on slippery or frozen ground deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boot sole is designed with different surface characteristics in different zones: the heel area has a smoother surface to facilitate binding engagement and safety release, while the forefoot and toe areas have rougher, more grippy surfaces for better traction on slippery ground during walking. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between safety function and walking grip.
4Reliability
If a metal part is added to the heel for binding connection in ski touring bindings, then the binding functionality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal heel counter and cup that were previously separate components are merged into a single integrated rigid structure. This unified heel assembly provides both the standardized vertical connection surface and the structural support needed for binding functionality, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining all necessary functions.
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
Enhances comfort and grip during walking and skiing by providing increased shock absorption and improved attachment security, addressing the limitations of existing designs in both alpine skiing and ski touring.
Implementation Method 1
a stratum made of a shock-absorbing material, capable of carrying out a cushioning function when the heel is placed, in the walking phases
Implementation Method 2
elastic means, in rotation, allowing the heel piece to rotate with respect to the base
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a ski binding designed to cooperate with the heel of a ski boot, comprising a sole intended to be in contact with the ground during walking, and an upper covering the foot. The boot includes a heel attachment interface (34) designed to cooperate with the rear part of a ski binding. This heel attachment interface (34) comprises a projecting element (40) of the boot, at least 5 mm in diameter, and arranged transversely with respect to the axis of the boot's foot. The projecting element (40) comprises two edges located in planes parallel to the sole, defining respectively a first, lower plane, located on the sole side, and a second, upper plane. The binding includes a base (50) designed to be fixed to a ski and a heel piece (52) mounted on the base (50), and a binding attachment (54) arranged on the heel piece (52).The binding element (54) comprises a groove (56) oriented parallel to the base (50) and means for lateral indexing of the boot (70), and the heel piece (52) is elastically movable along a longitudinal axis intended to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The invention also relates to a ski boot adapted to function with a binding according to the invention.