Ski Boot Toe Piece with Articulated Jaws and Trigger Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boot fixation systems for skiing lack safety during falls, particularly in twisting falls, and are cumbersome, difficult to maneuver, and not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A boot fixation system with two rotatable jaws, a plunger, and a trigger spring mechanism, along with links connecting the jaws, allowing for secure attachment and release, ensuring safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional toe piece with spring-based articulated jaws is used, then the boot can be securely fixed to the ski, but the system becomes unsafe during twisting falls as the boot remains trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The toe piece incorporates a preliminary safety mechanism that anticipates the harmful effect of twisting falls. The articulated jaw design with connecting rods and pushers creates a predetermined failure mode where excessive twisting forces automatically trigger jaw opening, preventing boot entrapment and potential injury while maintaining secure fixation under normal conditions
2Reliability
If existing toe stops are designed with complex spring systems and multiple components, then secure boot attachment is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The toe piece is segmented into distinct functional components: two articulated jaws, connecting rods, pushers, and springs. Each component has a specific function, and their modular arrangement allows for a compact design that reduces overall complexity while maintaining secure boot attachment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the fixation and release functions into a single integrated mechanism. The connecting rods and pushers serve dual purposes: they transmit force for secure attachment while also enabling automatic release during falls, eliminating the need for separate complex systems
3Strength
If traditional toe pieces use heavy materials and robust construction, then durability is improved, but the weight of the equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toe piece utilizes parameter optimization in its design, selecting materials and dimensions that provide sufficient strength for secure boot attachment while minimizing weight. The spring-based articulated mechanism uses optimized geometric parameters to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring durability without excessive weight
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 system provides enhanced safety during falls by allowing controlled release of the boot, is compact, lightweight, and easy to maneuver, addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pusher (110) movable in translation along the longitudinal direction X, subjected to the force of a triggering spring (112)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
A stop for a device for fixing a shoe on a sliding board, comprising a base (130; 3) intended to be fixed on the sliding board, characterized in that it comprises: - two lateral jaws (101; 8, 9), each mounted movably in rotation on the base (130; 3) about a substantially vertical axis of rotation (103; 10, 11), so as to be able to occupy a closed position in which they are suitable for holding a shoe on a sliding board and an open position in which they are suitable for releasing or receiving a shoe, and - a pusher (110; 35) comprising two lateral triggering surfaces (114; 24, 25) each cooperating with a respective ramp (104; 22, 23) of each jaw (101; 8, 9), this pusher (110; 35) being connected to the base (130; 3). by a trigger spring (112; 36) which allows its movement to be controlled, and - two connecting rods (120;28, 29) each connected to a jaw (101) by a first lateral axis (123; 14, 15) and on the other hand connected to each other by at least a second central axis (125; 32).;