Ski Boot Lever Mechanism for Even Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ski boots are uncomfortable due to their rigid design, which leads to uneven force distribution and discomfort during skiing, particularly in the area around the talus and shin. Additionally, they are heavy and difficult to adapt to individual foot morphologies.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot design featuring a connecting device with a lever part, a connecting rod, and a deformable member, allowing for translational and rotational movement of the fastening member relative to the lever part. This design provides greater flexibility and even force distribution, reducing pressure on sensitive areas and eliminating the need for a rigid shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a rigid shell is used to provide structural support and force transmission, then force transmission efficiency is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to uneven force distribution and pressure on sensitive areas
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid shell is divided into a calf shell and a foot shell that can move independently relative to each other. The calf shell maintains structural support for force transmission, while the foot shell adapts to foot morphology. This segmentation allows the calf shell to provide rigid support for efficient force transmission while the foot shell can flex and adapt to reduce pressure on sensitive areas like the talus and instep.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot shell is made movable relative to the calf shell through a connecting device with articulation means having at least one degree of freedom. This dynamic configuration allows the foot shell to move independently to accommodate foot morphology variations and reduce pressure on sensitive areas during skiing, while the calf shell remains relatively stable for force transmission.
2Reliability
If a rigid shell is used to ensure waterproofing and structural integrity, then reliability is improved, but weight increases due to large volume of plastic material
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is segmented into a calf shell and a foot shell connected by a flexible connecting device. The calf shell can be made of rigid waterproof material for structural integrity, while the foot shell and connecting device use more flexible, lighter materials that still provide adequate protection and maintain waterproofing through the articulation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot shell and connecting device utilize flexible materials that can bend and adapt to foot movements while maintaining waterproofing properties. The flexible connecting device with its articulation means provides a lightweight alternative to a fully rigid shell, reducing overall boot weight while preserving essential waterproofing and structural functions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid shell is used to provide uniform support, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to individual foot morphologies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boot structure is segmented into a stable calf shell and an adaptable foot shell. The calf shell maintains structural stability for overall support, while the foot shell and its connecting device adapt to individual foot morphologies including variations in instep height, ankle shape, and foot volume through independent movement and adjustable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot shell is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to move independently relative to the calf shell through articulation means. This enables the foot shell to adapt to different foot morphologies and provide customized support for each skier, while the calf shell remains structurally stable.
4Force
If a complex rigid rod design is used to provide connecting functionality, then force distribution is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complicated molding processes
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is segmented into separate components including the calf shell, foot shell, and articulation means. This modular design allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler processes, avoiding the need for complex single-piece molding while maintaining effective force distribution through the articulated connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation means provides adjustable degrees of freedom and movement parameters that enable effective force distribution without requiring a complex rigid rod geometry. By changing from a fixed rigid connection to an articulated connection with controlled movement, the design achieves good force distribution with simpler, more manufacturable components.
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 enhances comfort and control for skiers by allowing greater freedom of movement and even force distribution, reducing pressure on sensitive areas and improving shock absorption. It also simplifies production and aesthetics, making it more suitable for industrial manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a lever part fastened by a pivot link to the sole
Implementation Method 2
a deformable member arranged to exert a force against the movement of the second point from a rest position of the second point
Data Source
AI summary
A ski boot comprising a sole designed to accommodate a boot of a skier and a connecting device having a fastening member to be fastened to the leg of the skier, which ski boot has: a lever part that is fastened to the sole via a pivot connection, the fastening member being movable relative to the lever part, a connecting rod that is connected at a first point to one of the sole and the lever part via a first pivot connection and at a second point to the other of the sole and the lever part via a second connection enabling the second point to be moved, and a deformable member that is arranged to prevent the second point from moving relative to a rest position.