Ski Boot Shell Segmentation for Rigidity and Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sports footwear structures, such as ski boots, are complex and difficult to assemble/disassemble, leading to reduced rigidity and increased wear-related slack, making them cumbersome to adapt to different sports or foot shapes and requiring complicated component replacement.

Innovation Solution

A sports footwear structure featuring separately made sidewalls and an outer hull that can be removably coupled to an insole and outsole using screws, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, while maintaining rigidity and insulation through a simplified design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the shell is made up of numerous components assembled together to adapt to different sport disciplines and foot shapes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the rigidity decreases due to slack between interconnected parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different sport disciplines and foot shapesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is divided into a first shell portion and a second shell portion that can be selectively coupled together. This segmentation allows the boot to be adapted to different sport disciplines and foot shapes by choosing which portions to assemble, while maintaining simplicity because only two main segments are involved rather than numerous components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If numerous components are assembled together to provide adaptability, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated assembly and disassembling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different sport disciplines and foot shapesVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is divided into a first shell portion and a second shell portion that can be selectively coupled together. This segmentation allows the boot to be adapted to different sport disciplines and foot shapes by choosing which portions to assemble, while maintaining simplicity because only two main segments are involved rather than numerous components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If numerous components are interconnected to provide adaptability, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased wear-related slack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different sport disciplines and foot shapesVSAvoidmaintenance of rigidity over time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is divided into a first shell portion and a second shell portion that can be selectively coupled together. This segmentation allows the boot to be adapted to different sport disciplines and foot shapes by choosing which portions to assemble, while maintaining simplicity because only two main segments are involved rather than numerous components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the two half shells are permanently fastened to each other to create a rigid structure, then the rigidity is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates as component replacement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of the boot structureVSAvoidease of component replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling between the first and second shell portions is made dynamic rather than fixed. The first shell portion includes a coupling element that can selectively engage with the second shell portion, allowing the structure to transition between coupled and uncoupled states. This enables easy replacement and repair of components while maintaining rigidity when coupled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3127446B1Sport footwear structure or a component of sport footwear, in particular for ski boot
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 GI DI MECCANICA SPA
  • EP3127446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3127446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3127446B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention refers to a sports footwear structure or a sports footwear component, in particular a shell designed to enclose the foot of a user, comprising an outsole (9) and an insole (4) which includes a foot support surface. At the opposite edges of the insole (4) are removably associated a first sidewall (2) and a second sidewall (3) to form a sub-assembly. An outer hull (8), which includes the outsole (9) and is suitable to hold the sub-assembly, is removably connected to the lower surface of the insole (4) opposite the foot support surface.