Ski Boot Locking Device Segmentation and Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski boot locking devices are difficult to manufacture, heavy, bulky, and challenging to manipulate, with insufficient movement amplitude for comfort in walking and inadequate security in the ski configuration, and they are prone to damage from harsh skiing conditions.

Innovation Solution

A locking device with a robust, ergonomic design that includes a lever for easy manipulation, a mechanism with a blade and immobilizing element for secure locking and unlocking, and a guide system to ensure precise movement and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional locking device with lever mechanism is used, then the articulation can be locked or unlocked, but the device becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlocking device weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into two independent parts: a fixed element attached to the lower shell and a movable element attached to the cuff. This segmentation eliminates the need for a heavy traditional lever mechanism while maintaining reliable locking functionality through the interaction between these two simplified components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the locking component and the indication component. When positioned in the first position, it locks the articulation; when in the second position, it unlocks and indicates the unlocked state through its visible position, eliminating the need for separate indication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism is used to ensure secure locking, then the locking reliability improves, but the device becomes difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking securityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the locking function into a fixed element with a simple receptacle and a movable element with a corresponding protrusion, the design achieves secure locking through basic geometric interfitting rather than complex mechanisms, making both components easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex active locking mechanism that requires precise manufacturing tolerances, the invention uses a passive geometric interlocking system where the protrusion and receptacle shapes themselves provide the locking security, reversing the traditional approach and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a traditional lever mechanism is used, then the articulation can be locked, but the device becomes difficult to manipulate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidmanipulation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential locking function from the complex lever mechanism, retaining only the necessary movable element that can be simply positioned between two locations. This eliminates the cumbersome lever operation while preserving the core locking capability through direct positioning of the movable element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a lever that requires bending down and complex hand movements, the invention allows direct manipulation of the movable element by the user's leg or foot, inverting the traditional operation method and significantly improving ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If the locking device is designed for secure locking, then the cuff is securely locked, but the movement amplitude is insufficient for comfortable walking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking securityVSAvoidmovement amplitude

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable element is designed to dynamically switch between two positions: a first position where it engages with the fixed element to provide secure locking with full movement amplitude for comfortable walking, and a second position where it disengages to unlock the articulation. This dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain both security and mobility as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250160477A1Locking device for a ski boot

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 ROSSIGNOL LANGE SRL

AI summary

The locking device (10) for locking a rotary articulation between a lower shell (2) and a cuff (3) of a ski boot (1) includes an immobilizing element (20) movable in translation between immobilizing and release positions, a blade (14) having a stop surface (21A, 21B) to interact with the immobilizing element to lock the rotary articulation when the immobilizing element is in the immobilizing position, a lever (11) intended to be manipulated by a user, the lever being movable between locking and unlocking positions, and a toggle (38) mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation (Y1) and having first (47) and second (48) bearing surfaces opposite with respect to the first axis of rotation. The lever is configured to exert a thrust against the first bearing surface to cause the toggle to pivot about the first axis of rotation. The second bearing surface is configured to exert a thrust against the immobilizing element to move it between its immobilizing and its release positions.