Ski Boot Heel Piece with Offset Pivot Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile-body heel pieces for ski boots face challenges such as complexity, high cost, and difficulty in adjusting tilting and rotation amplitude, leading to poor release performance during falls and cumbersome putting on/taking off due to bulky metal components.
Innovation Solution
A simpler and less expensive heel piece design featuring a mobile body with a release spring, a fixed central trigger body made of plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic, and reinforcing arms, allowing for a wide operating range and easy adjustment, with a trigger surface connected to the carriage via a connecting pin and a ramp for efficient triggering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile body with a central body is used in a mobile-body heel piece, then the release function can be implemented, but the tilting adjustment becomes difficult and the rotation amplitude is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heel piece is divided into a fixed body (carriage) and a mobile body that are separate and can be adjusted independently. The mobile body pivots on a pivot axis that is offset from the carriage, allowing independent adjustment of the mobile body's tilting and rotation amplitude without affecting the fixed body structure.
2Reliability
If a mobile body with a central body is used in a mobile-body heel piece, then the release function can be implemented, but the rotation amplitude cannot reach positions high enough for easy stepping in or low enough for satisfactory forward thrust
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile body is designed with a pivot axis offset from the carriage, enabling dynamic adjustment of rotation amplitude. The mobile body can rotate through a wide range of angles, reaching positions high enough for easy stepping in and low enough to exert satisfactory forward thrust on the shoe, while maintaining the release function.
3Strength
If a metal central body is used to withstand high forces, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the overall complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed body and mobile body are made from rigid materials such as glass-fibre-reinforced plastic or carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, which provide high strength-to-weight ratios. This composite material approach maintains the ability to withstand high forces during release while reducing overall structural complexity and cost compared to traditional metal construction.
4Strength
If a metal cam is used to support high forces between two lateral support points, then the force resistance is sufficient, but the complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam is manufactured from glass-fibre-reinforced plastic or carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, which provides sufficient strength to support high forces between the two lateral support points. This composite material choice significantly reduces manufacturing cost and complexity compared to traditional metal cam construction, while maintaining the necessary force resistance.
5Stability of the object's composition
If a cam with a flat part is used to achieve stability in the closed position, then stability is improved, but putting on and taking off the shoe becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surface is designed with a flat portion at a specific location to provide stability when the mobile body is in the closed position. The cam profile includes this localized flat area that engages with the corresponding flat portion on the mobile body, ensuring stable positioning during skiing while allowing smooth transition to the open position for easy shoe removal.
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 design provides robust resistance to high forces, easy shoe engagement, and a satisfying forward thrust, with a rotation amplitude greater than 70 degrees, enhancing release performance and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a mobile body (21) with a release mechanism which allows the boot to be released automatically by tilting of the mobile body around the carriage (1) when force greater than a predetermined threshold is exerted on the mobile body
Implementation Method 2
the body being movable relative to a carriage (1) around a connecting axis, by means of a connecting pin (10)
Implementation Method 3
a trigger surface (7) in the form of a ramp
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The heel-piece has a tubular mobile body comprising a compression spring for releasing ski boot through an opening of the heel piece during an effort greater than a preset threshold. The body is moved with respect to a carriage around a connecting axle. The carriage includes a lower base (3) and a fixed actuating body (4) comprising an actuating surface i.e. ramp (7). The ramp is connected to the base by a connecting unit formed by the actuating body and another connecting unit formed by the axle between the carriage and the mobile body and lateral arms (11). An independent claim is also included for a device for fixing a ski boot on a ski.