Ski Boot Joint Locking Mechanism With Guided Carriage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for ski boots are complex to manufacture, unreliable, heavy, bulky, difficult to handle, and do not allow sufficient movement for comfortable walking, often leading to improper use during alpine skiing.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a blocking element and mating element that moves between positions, guided by a shaft and carriage system, allowing easy transition between locked and unlocked configurations, using a cable for operation and incorporating a sliding member for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking devices are used, then the articulation can be locked and released, but the device becomes complex to manufacture, heavy, and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into separate functional components: a blocking element with blocking protrusions for locking, and a corresponding mating element with recesses. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and easy to manufacture while collectively providing reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential locking function from complex traditional mechanisms, using only minimal elements (blocking protrusions and recesses) to achieve reliable locking without unnecessary complexity, weight, or bulk.
2Reliability
If traditional locking devices are used, then the articulation can be blocked, but the device becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes excess weight by using only the minimal necessary elements for locking (blocking protrusions and recesses) rather than heavy traditional mechanisms, while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
3Reliability
If traditional locking devices are used, then the articulation can be locked, but the device becomes difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete blocking elements that can be easily actuated individually, making the overall device simple to operate while maintaining reliable locking through the coordinated action of these simple elements.
4Reliability
If traditional locking devices are used, then the articulation can be blocked, but sufficient range of movement is not achieved for comfortable walking
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the blocking element to move between engaged and disengaged positions, enabling the articulation to transition smoothly between locked and free states, thus achieving comfortable walking range of movement while maintaining reliable locking when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Locking device (10) for locking a rotational joint between a lower shell (2) and a collar (3) of a sports shoe (1), comprising a locking element (22) movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a conjugate element (12) adapted to cooperate with the locking element, the locking device comprising a shaft (33) integral with the locking element, a housing (21) comprising a first guide light (31), a carriage (26) movable relative to the housing, the carriage comprising a second guide light (32), the shaft cooperating with the first guide light and with the second guide light so that a displacement of the carriage relative to the housing causes a displacement of the locking element.