Ski Boot Shell Movable Spoiler for Walking Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ski boots are unsuitable for walking due to their rigid design and forward incline, which restricts leg straightening and increases the difficulty of walking, even when the closing and tightening elements are released.
Innovation Solution
A movable spoiler is integrated into the rear upper portion of the ski boot shell, capable of shifting between a skiing position and a walking position, allowing the leg to straighten by partially moving backward and freeing the notch, enhancing flexibility and comfort during walking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shell maintains a forward incline suitable for skiing, then skiing performance is improved, but walking comfort deteriorates due to restricted leg straightening
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into two functional parts: a fixed front portion that maintains the forward incline for skiing performance, and a movable rear spoiler portion that can be adjusted independently. This segmentation allows the front to preserve skiing characteristics while the rear adapts to walking requirements by moving backward to free the notch and allow leg straightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear spoiler is designed as a movable component rather than a fixed structure. It can dynamically adjust its position between a forward skiing position and a backward walking position. This dynamic capability enables the shell to adapt its geometry based on the intended activity, resolving the contradiction between fixed skiing optimization and variable walking comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the collar is rotatable around the shell, then flexibility for walking is improved, but the rotation is limited by a rear stop
Solution Approach 1:
The movable spoiler performs a preliminary action by moving backward before the collar rotation is needed for walking. This预先 movement of the spoiler frees the notch and creates the necessary space for the collar to rotate through a larger angle without being constrained by the rear stop, thereby enabling greater flexibility without adding complex rotation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the rigid shell rises above the skier's ankle, then skiing guidance is improved, but leg straightening is limited or prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The shell structure is segmented into a fixed front portion that rises above the ankle to provide skiing guidance and a movable rear spoiler portion. The spoiler can be independently positioned to either block or free the notch, allowing it to provide structural support for skiing while being movable enough to allow leg straightening when positioned backward.
4Ease of operation
If the spoiler is movable between skiing and walking positions, then walking comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is designed as a simple movable component with a single degree of freedom, capable of transitioning between two primary positions (forward skiing and backward walking). This minimal dynamic mechanism avoids complex multi-component systems while still achieving the dual-function requirement, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable spoiler serves multiple functions: it maintains structural integrity and provides skiing guidance when in the forward position, and enables walking comfort by freeing the notch when in the backward position. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single component design rather than requiring separate mechanisms for skiing and walking modes, thus minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a ski boot shell having a notch in the rear upper portion thereof, a rear bearing element movably connected relative to the shell, the rear bearing element has a first position in which it abuts against at least one surface of the shell to at least partially close the notch when skiing, and a second position withdrawn backward to allow the leg of a skier to be straightened when walking.