Ski Boot Opening Device Foot-Actuated Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports boots with central opening mechanisms suffer from uncontrolled and unrepeatable manual operation for opening, leading to reduced elastic material characteristics and difficulty in autonomous use, especially in environmental conditions like ice.
Innovation Solution
A sports boot design featuring a controlled opening device with adjustable positioning and constraint elements that allow for stable, repeatable, and adjustable opening of the outer casing and ankle section, enabling easy and secure foot insertion/removal without excessive force or manual dexterity requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to open the central opening, then the opening can be achieved, but the operation becomes uncontrolled and unrepeatable, reducing material elastic characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The opening device uses the user's foot as the actuating element. When the user inserts their foot into the boot, the foot's movement automatically triggers the opening mechanism through the interaction between the first element's positioning means and the second element's constraint means, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining controlled and repeatable opening action.
Solution Approach 2:
The first element is pre-configured with positioning means that define determinate stable positions, and the second element has constraint means ready to temporarily house the first element. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the foot is inserted, the opening action follows a predetermined controlled path, preventing uncontrolled manual manipulation and preserving material elastic characteristics.
2Reliability
If both hands are used for opening operation, then the opening can be controlled, but autonomous use becomes difficult in certain environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be actuated by the user's foot rather than manual operation. The foot's natural insertion movement automatically engages the positioning means and constraint means, providing controlled opening without requiring hand manipulation. This enables autonomous use even in difficult environmental conditions like ice, where manual dexterity is compromised.
3Ease of operation
If edges are opened wide manually, then foot insertion is facilitated, but the material elastic characteristics are reduced over time
Solution Approach 1:
The foot itself acts as the actuating mechanism, eliminating repeated manual opening operations that degrade material elasticity. The foot's insertion movement consistently engages the pre-configured positioning and constraint means, providing the necessary edge separation for foot insertion without the cumulative damage caused by manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning means and constraint means are pre-arranged to define controlled opening positions. This preliminary configuration ensures that the edges are separated only to the extent necessary for foot insertion, preventing excessive opening that would compromise material elastic characteristics over time.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Sports boot (10) comprising a lower part (12), to contain a user's foot, and an upper part (13) pivoted on the lower part (12) to contain the ankle. The lower part (12) and the upper part (13) comprise a central opening (11) defined by respective edges (11a, 11b). A closing device (15) is disposed astride the central opening (11) and is attached on the two edges (11a, 11b) to determine the closing of the central opening (11). The boot (10) comprises an opening device (18, 118) provided with a first element (16) attached to a first edge (11a) and comprising adjustable positioners (27, 127, 30, 130), to define one or more determinate reciprocal positions of the first element (16) and the first edge (11a), in which the first element (16) is maintained toward the central opening (11). The opening device (18, 118) is provided with a second element (17) attached to a second edge (11b) and comprising constraint means (26), in which the first element (16) is temporarily constrained, in the active condition of the positioners (27, 127, 30, 130).