Ski Boot Closure Strand Sheath for Twist-Free Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for footwear, such as ski boots, suffer from low stiffness of closure strands leading to difficult and uncomfortable handling due to twisting or hanging, resulting in cable clutter.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a sheath arrangement that provides higher stiffness than the closure strand material, forming a self-supporting structure, and includes a telescopic sheath and stiffening members to maintain shape and flexibility, combined with a tensioning apparatus like a winding apparatus for controlled tensioning and releasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closure strand is made with low stiffness to allow tensioning by the tensioning apparatus, then the closure device can be tightened and loosened, but the closure strand tends to twist or hang down or protrude in an uncontrolled manner leading to difficult and uncomfortable handling
Solution Approach 1:
The closure strand is nested within a guiding sheath that provides structural support. The sheath encloses the closure strand along its entire length, preventing it from twisting or hanging down uncontrollably, while still allowing the closure strand to be tensioned by the tensioning apparatus when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding sheath acts as an intermediary between the closure strand and the external environment. It provides the necessary stiffness and guidance to control the closure strand's position, while allowing the closure strand to perform its function of tightening and loosening the closure device.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the closure strand is given higher stiffness to prevent twisting and hanging, then handling becomes easier, but the closure strand becomes less flexible for tensioning by the tensioning apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The closure strand with higher stiffness is nested within the guiding sheath. The sheath provides the necessary flexibility and movement capability, allowing the closure strand to be tensioned by the tensioning apparatus while maintaining its positional control and resistance to twisting.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the closure device have different stiffness requirements. The closure strand itself is made with higher stiffness to prevent twisting, while the guiding sheath provides the necessary flexibility. This local differentiation of properties allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the closure strand is made with high stiffness via sheath arrangement, then twisting and hanging are prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional sheath components
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding sheath is implemented as a flexible tubular structure that provides the necessary guidance and stiffness. This thin-walled flexible shell approach achieves the desired structural support with minimal additional complexity, as the sheath can be made from simple flexible materials and integrated into the closure device design.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A closure device (100), in particular for a ski boot (200), the closure device comprising a closure strand (102) which is designed and intended to be fixedly attached with at least one of its ends (102a, 102b) to a first basis portion (202a) of a basis unit (202), a closure strand receiving element (106a, 106b) which is designed and intended to be fixedly attached to a second basis portion (202b) of or fixedly connected to the basis unit, wherein the second basis portion is opposite the first basis portion, wherein in a closed state of the closure device, the closure strand is configured to be engaged with the closure strand receiving element, and in an opened state of the closure device, the closure strand is designed and intended to be not engaged with the closure strand receiving element, and a tensioning apparatus (112) which is designed and intended to be attached to the first basis portion of the basis unit, wherein the tensioning apparatus is operatively connected to the closure strand and configured to tension the closure strand along a longitudinal direction (I) of the closure strand, in the closed state of the closure device, wherein the closure device further comprises a sheath arrangement (114) which is configured to be arranged around the closure strand in an enveloping manner, wherein the sheath arrangement has a higher stiffness than the closure strand. The invention further refers to a ski boot comprising the closure device.