Ski Boot Liner Padding Segmentation for Heel Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski boot liners suffer from premature wear and deterioration due to the stress and deformation at the connection zone between the upper and lower parts, particularly at the heel area, where the liner is subjected to high friction and deformation, leading to detachments or tears, and the prior art does not adequately address durability and comfort issues.
Innovation Solution
A ski boot liner design featuring an elastically deformable lower element and a harder upper element, with a folding articulation zone and a padding layer composed of multiple elements, including a tongue, to distribute stress and enhance durability and comfort, while allowing for easier assembly and improved fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the liner is made with multiple layers and padding elements to improve comfort and support, then the comfort and support are improved, but the durability deteriorates due to detachments and tears at connection zones
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is divided into multiple functional layers (outer shell, intermediate padding layer, inner lining layer) with the padding layer itself segmented into upper and lower elements. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while reducing stress concentration at connection points between layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding layer uses different materials for different regions: a softer, more elastic lower element at the heel area for comfort and a harder upper element for structural support. This local differentiation of material properties improves both comfort and durability by placing appropriate materials where needed.
2Power
If the upper part of the liner is made rigid to transmit forces effectively, then the force transmission is improved, but the ease of insertion deteriorates due to difficulty in putting on the boot
Solution Approach 1:
The liner incorporates dynamic characteristics through the folding articulation zone with deformable slats that allow the rigid upper part to temporarily flex during insertion, then return to its rigid state for effective force transmission during skiing.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner is segmented into a rigid upper part for force transmission and a more flexible lower part for ease of insertion, with the folding articulation zone providing the transition between these two states.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connection zone is positioned at the heel area to facilitate articulation, then the adaptability is improved, but the durability deteriorates due to high friction and deformation at the rotation point
Solution Approach 1:
The folding articulation zone with deformable slats acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rigid upper part and the flexible lower part, allowing relative movement while distributing stress and preventing direct friction between the foot and rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable slats in the folding articulation zone function as flexible elements that accommodate the rotation and deformation necessary for articulation while protecting the surrounding structures from excessive stress and friction.
4Ease of operation
If padding elements are added and made up of several pieces sewn or glued together to improve comfort, then the comfort is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower elements of the padding layer are made as contiguous pieces rather than separate components, eliminating the need for sewing or gluing between them and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding layer is segmented into upper and lower elements with different material properties, allowing each to be optimized for its function while being manufactured as integrated pieces to reduce assembly complexity.
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 enhanced comfort, precise wedging, and improved durability by reducing the risk of tearing and adapting to the boot's articulation, while simplifying assembly and ensuring a secure fit during both insertion and extraction of the foot.
Implementation Method 1
The lower element is made with an elastically deformable material while the upper element is made with a material of greater hardness
Implementation Method 2
this articulation zone is a folding zone equipped with a series of deformable slats
Implementation Method 3
These intermediate paddings are under considerable stress primarily because they are located precisely where the heel of the foot takes support and is forced into the slipper by rotating forcefully each time the user wants to put it on
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a sports shoe insert comprising at least an outer layer (4) and a padding layer (3), characterized in that said padding layer (3) comprises at least two elements, respectively, an upper element (32) and a lower element (31) the upper end of which is positioned above the heel rotation zone when the foot is inserted into the insert.