Ski Boot Heel Metal Insert Screw Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski boot designs, particularly those with Lowtech inserts, face issues such as rapid wear and tear of plastic materials due to screwing/unscrewing operations, thread deterioration, and increased risk of heel pad tearing under significant forces during skiing, especially during falls with torsion effects.
Innovation Solution
The use of at least one substantially horizontal screw that is screwed into a metal insert within the shell, rather than the plastic material, along with vertical screws, to secure the heel pieces, reducing the stress on the plastic and enhancing retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If screws are directly screwed into the plastic material of the heel piece, then the fixing is simple and direct, but the plastic wears out quickly, the thread deteriorates, and the risk of tearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
A metal insert is introduced as an intermediary element between the screw and the plastic heel piece. The screw is screwed into the metal insert rather than directly into the plastic, while the metal insert remains fixed to the plastic heel piece. This mediator absorbs the wear and mechanical stress, protecting the plastic material from deterioration and preventing thread failure.
2Ease of operation
If screws are positioned outside the zone of the Lowtech insert, then the installation is easier, but they are far from the zone undergoing major forces, which is not conducive to better retention
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the metal insert is positioned within the Lowtech insert zone to handle mechanical forces, while the screw access points are arranged externally for ease of installation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heel piece is made of plastic material, then it provides comfort and flexibility, but it is susceptible to wear and tearing under significant forces during skiing
Solution Approach 1:
The heel piece becomes a composite structure combining plastic material (for comfort and flexibility) with a metal insert (for strength and wear resistance). The plastic provides the necessary comfort and flexibility for the boot, while the embedded metal insert reinforces the structure against wear and tear during skiing operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Ski boot comprising at least one heel piece (10; 20) fixed to the bottom of the shell (1) of the ski boot, characterized in that the shell (1) of the ski boot comprises at least one metal retaining insert (2; 9) having at least one substantially vertical ear (5) to receive at least one horizontal fixing screw (15) to fix the heel piece (10; 20) to the shell (1).