Ski Boot Hinged Cover for Easy Entry and Secure Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Classic ski boots are difficult to put on due to their shape and rigidity, which hinders ease of use while maintaining the necessary rigidity for transmitting leg and foot movements to the ski.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot design featuring a hinged cover with two sections that can be tilted for easy foot insertion, combined with a locking lever and sealing rib for secure closure, along with a removable liner for improved accessibility and waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ski boot is made rigid to transmit leg and foot movements effectively, then the transmission efficiency is improved, but the ease of putting on the boot deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into a rigid shell and a separate removable liner. The shell maintains rigidity for effective movement transmission, while the removable liner provides comfort and ease of entry. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot incorporates a dynamic entry system with a movable cover that can be opened during entry and then locked into position. This allows the boot to transition from a closed rigid structure to an open accessible state during putting on, and back to rigid closed state during use.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ski boot is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boot structure is segmented into a rigid shell and removable liner, allowing the shell to maintain structural integrity while the liner provides operational flexibility. The liner can be easily removed and reinserted without affecting the shell's structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable liner acts as an intermediary between the user and the rigid shell. It provides a compliant interface for entry and exit operations, mediating between the user's need for ease of operation and the shell's requirement for structural integrity.
3Reliability
If the cover is made tight to ensure secure closure, then the security of closure is improved, but the ease of insertion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be opened preliminarily during the insertion process, allowing the foot to enter the shell easily. After insertion is complete, the cover is then closed and locked to provide secure closure. This preliminary opening action resolves the contradiction between ease of insertion and security of closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from an open state during insertion to a closed locked state during use. This dynamic behavior allows the system to accommodate both ease of insertion (when open) and secure closure (when locked), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 allows for effortless donning and secure tightening of the ski boot, maintaining rigidity and waterproof integrity, thus enhancing user convenience without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge, allowing the cover to tilt between an open position in which it releases the upper opening and a closed position in which it covers the upper opening
Implementation Method 2
The shell has fixing and tightening loops, carried by the shell and surmounting the upper part of the cover; one of the end of the shell and the front part of the cover comprises a sealing rib, extending between the end of the shell and the front part of the cover when the cover is in the closed position
Implementation Method 3
the removable liner includes an outsole and a waterproof coating covering at least part of the upper of the removable liner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The ski boot (10) comprises a shell (12) intended to receive a user's foot. The shell (12) comprises a toecap (16) intended to receive toes of the user's foot, a rear upright (18), and lateral portions (20), the shell (12) having a top opening (22) delimited by the toecap (16), the lateral portions (20) and the rear upright (18). The shoe (10) comprises a cover (26), linked to the toecap (16) via a pivot link (28), the cover (26) being capable of switching between a closed position in which it partially covers the top opening, and an open position in which it leaves the top opening exposed. The cover (26) comprises a front portion, which partially covers the toecap (16) in the closed position, and a top portion, which partially covers the top opening in the closed position, the top portion being formed from two panels, one of the panels covering the other.