Adjustable Ski Binding Release for High-DIN Fall Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski bindings fail to ensure sufficient safety, particularly for professional skiers, as they either prematurely release or do not release during falls, leading to potential injuries due to incorrect DIN settings.
Innovation Solution
A ski binding system with adjustable resistance force controlled by a mechanism that includes a spring, cursor, and locking means, allowing for remote release through wireless technology, ensuring quick detachment even at high DIN settings without altering the binding's geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the DIN value is set extremely high to prevent premature release during competitive skiing, then the binding stability is improved, but the binding fails to release during falls causing major trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system transitions from a static high-DIN setting to a dynamic system where the retention force can be automatically reduced through a release mechanism. The spring-loaded cursor and locking means create a dynamic adjustment capability that responds to impact forces, allowing the binding to maintain high stability during normal skiing but automatically reduce retention during falls to prevent injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring-based retention system with a hybrid system incorporating wireless communication technology. Sensors detect fall conditions and transmit signals wirelessly to trigger the release mechanism, substituting automatic mechanical response with electronically controlled release for more precise and reliable safety activation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring retention force is reduced to allow easier release, then the release safety is improved, but the binding may release prematurely after sudden manoeuvres
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic sensing and electronic control to distinguish between normal skiing forces and fall conditions. The wireless communication system monitors various parameters and dynamically adjusts the release decision, allowing the binding to maintain high retention during aggressive maneuvers while automatically releasing when a fall is detected, eliminating the need for compromise in spring pre-load settings.
3Measurement precision
If a remote release system with wireless technology is implemented, then the release control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication module serves multiple functions: detecting fall conditions, transmitting release commands, and potentially monitoring various skiing parameters. By making the electronic system multi-functional, the patent justifies the added complexity through enhanced capabilities in safety control, release precision, and potential future expansions of the system's intelligence.
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 safe and rapid release of the boot from the binding, reducing the risk of injury by allowing controlled detachment, especially at high DIN values, while maintaining compatibility with existing binding structures.
Implementation Method 1
The springs, then, can be adjusted so that they can vary, at will, the stability of the binding and, in particular, the resistance force to opening of the binding itself.
Implementation Method 2
a cursor (40) movable along an axis (2a) and operatively connected to the spring (3), said cursor (40) being configured to define a position along said axis (2a) under the action of the resistant force produced by the spring (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
A ski binding (1) is provided comprising a casing (2) defining at least a seat (20) developing along an axis (2a); elastic opposition means (3) housed in the seat (20) configured, when subject to a dilation, to produce a resistance force to opening of the binding (1); adjusting means (4) suitable to adjust the resistant force and comprising at least a cursor (40) housed in the seat (20), movable along the axis (2a), and configured to determine, when moved along the axis (2a), the dilation on the opposition means (3) so as to define at least a minimum limit position wherein the opposition means (3) is unloaded and a loading position wherein the opposition means (3) subjects a dilation, a control element (41) integral to the cursor (40) and movable along the axis (2a) so as to be able to control the passage from the unloading position to the loading one and vice versa, locking means (5) suitable to lock the control element (41) when actuated; wherein the adjusting means (4) further comprises a control element (42) kinematically constrained to the control element (41) so that when the control element (41) translates along the axis (2a), the monitoring element (42) rotates around the axis (2a), and wherein the locking means (5) comprises an obstruction element (50) defining at least an unlocking configuration wherein the obstruction element (50) interferes with the rotation of the monitoring element (42), and an unlocking configuration wherein the obstruction element (50) does not interfere with the rotation of the monitoring element (42).