Ski Boot Instep Shell Flexibility and Cable Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ski boots face issues with user comfort due to pressure points caused by the crossing traction cable in the instep area, which is not adequately adaptable to the foot shape, and lack of flexibility in the lower shell part, leading to discomfort during adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The lower shell part in the instep area is made more flexible by incorporating material recesses and using a separate, less rigid material, with a wavy edge profile and rotatably mounted rollers to guide the traction cable, ensuring it avoids direct contact with the foot and providing a flexible insert to prevent snow or water entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lower shell part is made rigid to provide structural support, then the shell strength is improved, but the flexibility and adaptability to foot shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lower shell part is divided into multiple sections with different rigidity characteristics. The instep area has reduced wall thickness and includes material recesses to increase flexibility, while other areas maintain full thickness for structural support. This segmentation allows different parts of the shell to have optimized properties for their specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell structure implements local quality variations through different wall thicknesses and material properties in different areas. The instep area features reduced thickness and material recesses for flexibility, while maintaining adequate thickness in areas requiring structural support, allowing each local region to have the appropriate mechanical properties for its function.
2Device complexity
If the traction cable is guided in a straight line through the entry opening, then the device complexity is reduced, but pressure points on the user's foot occur
Solution Approach 1:
The traction cable is guided along a curved, meandering path through the instep area rather than a straight line. This curved routing distributes the cable contacts over a larger area and avoids concentrated pressure points on the foot, while the cable crossings are positioned to overlap with less sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Rollers are introduced as intermediary elements to guide the traction cable through the instep area. These rollers facilitate smooth cable movement and distribute contact forces, preventing direct cable-to-foot pressure while maintaining effective tensioning functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the entry opening is made large to facilitate entry, then the ease of operation is improved, but protection against snow and water entry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible insert element made of flexible material is positioned in the entry opening area. This insert provides effective sealing against snow and water while allowing relatively easy foot entry due to its flexibility and ability to deform during the entry process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Ski boot (1), in particular alpine or touring ski boot, with an inner boot (4) made of a flexible cuff material and a shell surrounding the inner boot at least partially, the shell having a lower shell part (2) which, in the in use position, at least partially encloses the foot and has an expandable entry opening (5) extending substantially in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the boot (1) in an instep area, and an upper shell part (3) which is articulated to the lower shell part (2), wherein a rope-shaped traction element (6) is provided in the instep area, which is guided at least partially across the entry opening (5) by means of deflection elements (7), and a tensioning element (12) for applying a tensioning force is associated with the traction element (6), wherein the lower shell part (2) has a section (8, 22) in the instep area that delimits the entry opening (5),which has a higher flexibility than the area of the lower shell part adjacent to the instep area (2).