Ski Boot Shell Locking Mechanism for Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ski-mountaineering boots with bellows-like pleating on the front shell are inadequate for new ski-boot locking systems with two fixing points, as the grip exerted by these systems causes the sole to arch, leading to insufficient structural stiffness and potential accidental opening during use in difficult snow conditions.
Innovation Solution
A shell locking member with a rigid transversal arm and guide pin mechanism that can engage and disengage to prevent or allow deformation of the bellows-like pleating, ensuring the shell and sole act as a rigid body when needed, preventing accidental opening and enhancing structural stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bellows-like pleating is added to the front shell to enable sole bending, then the boot becomes suitable for ski-mountaineering and telemark, but the structural stiffness becomes insufficient for new locking systems with two fixing points
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into a rigid rear portion and a front portion with bellows-like pleating that can deform independently. The locking member acts as a segmental connector that can engage to rigidly connect the portions or disengage to allow independent deformation, resolving the contradiction between needing stiffness for locking and flexibility for ski-mountaineering movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows-like pleating transforms the static rigid shell into a dynamic structure that can adapt its stiffness. When the locking member is engaged, the structure becomes rigid for secure locking; when disengaged, it becomes flexible to allow sole bending and heel raising essential for ski-mountaineering and telemark activities.
2Strength
If the shell is made with high flexural stiffness to counter sole arching, then the locking system operates properly, but the boot loses the ability to deform elastically for heel raising and sole bending
Solution Approach 1:
The shell structure transitions from a static high-stiffness design to a dynamic system where the locking member can engage to provide high flexural stiffness when needed, and disengage to allow elastic deformation for heel raising and sole bending, thus maintaining both properties at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows-like pleating provides self-accommodating deformation capability within the shell structure, allowing the front portion to deform elastically without requiring the entire shell to be flexible, thus maintaining overall structural integrity while enabling necessary movements.
3Strength
If mechanical locking systems are added to prevent bellows-like pleating deformation, then structural stiffness is improved, but the system becomes complex and potentially dangerous due to accidental opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential locking function from complex mechanical systems and implements it through a simple transversal arm with guide pin that engages with the bellows-like pleating structure itself, reducing device complexity while maintaining structural stiffness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pin and transversal arm mechanism uses the bellows-like pleating's own structure to provide the locking engagement, eliminating the need for separate complex mechanical locking systems and reducing the risk of accidental opening through oversimplified design.
4Reliability
If the transversal arm is made rigid to prevent deformation, then the boot locks securely, but the system becomes difficult to operate in challenging conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin mechanism allows the transversal arm to change its engagement parameter - it can engage firmly with the bellows-like pleating to provide secure locking, or disengage to allow deformation, enabling the system to transition between rigid and flexible states based on operational needs.
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 solution provides a safe and practical means to lock the ski boot securely, preventing deformation and accidental opening, while being easy to use even in challenging conditions and compatible with existing ski-mountaineering boots.
Implementation Method 1
the shell that is to receive the foot of the skier is provided with an elastically deformable portion, which extends astride of the metatarsal area of the foot so to enable the front part of the shell to deform elastically
Implementation Method 2
A shell locking member with a rigid transversal arm and guide pin mechanism that can engage and disengage to prevent or allow deformation of the bellows-like pleating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A ski boot (1) provided with a rigid shell (2), which is shaped so as to receive the foot of the skier and is provided with a first rigid portion (2a) and a second rigid portion (2b) that are joined to one another by an elastically deformable portion (7), which extends substantially astride of the metatarsal area of the foot, the ski boot (1) further comprising means for locking the shell (9), which are able to connect the first rigid portion (2a) and the second rigid portion (2b) of the shell (2) rigidly to one another so as to prevent compression of the elastically deformable portion (7); the means for locking the shell (9) comprise a rigid transversal arm (10), which extends astride of the elastically deformable portion (7) of the shell (2), has its proximal end hinged on the first rigid portion (2a) of the shell (2) so as to be able to rotate freely with respect to the shell (2) about a first axis (B), and a guide pin (11), which extends in cantilever fashion from the second rigid portion (2b) of the shell (2), sharing a second axis (C) locally substantially parallel to the first axis (B), and slidably engages a longitudinal slit (10a) purposely provided in a position corresponding to the distal end of the transversal arm (10); at its distal end, the transversal arm (10) further having a through-seat (10b), which is positioned beside the longitudinal slit (10a), is shaped so as to receive the guide pin (11), and finally is connected to the longitudinal slit (10a) through a groove (10c), which is sized so as to enable passage of the guide pin (11) from the longitudinal slit (10a) to the through-seat (10b) or vice versa.