Adjustable Toe Holder Step-In Aid for Ski Binding Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touring bindings with toe holders face challenges in securely connecting ski boots to skis, especially in difficult terrain, due to the need for precise alignment of sole holding elements, which can be difficult for users to achieve safely and securely.
Innovation Solution
A touring binding with a toe holder featuring a step-in aid that forms a stop for the toe-side end of the ski boot sole, allowing for adjustable positioning to ensure precise alignment and secure connection, including a mechanism for opening and closing the toe holder and an adjustable step-in aid connected to the sole holder for optimal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the toe holder uses engagement elements that must be precisely aligned with openings in the sole, then the connection security between ski boot and ski is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users struggle to achieve proper alignment in difficult terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The step-in aid is positioned in advance at a predetermined distance from the sole holder to guide the toe of the boot into the correct alignment position before the user completes the entry motion. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the engagement elements are already aligned with the sole openings when the user steps in, eliminating the alignment problem during the actual entry operation
Solution Approach 2:
The step-in aid acts as an intermediary element between the user's boot and the sole holder. It provides a reference surface that the boot toe contacts first, mediating the alignment process and transferring the user's entry motion into the correct angular and positional orientation for secure engagement of the sole holding elements
2Measurement precision
If the step-in aid is fixed at a specific distance from the sole holder, then the alignment precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates because it cannot accommodate manufacturing tolerances or different sole configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The step-in aid is made adjustable in its position relative to the sole holder, transforming it from a static fixed component to a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the distance between the step-in aid and sole holder to be modified to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the sole and to adapt to different boot sole configurations, while still maintaining precise alignment when properly adjusted
Data Source
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AI summary
Touring binding for a ski, comprising a) a toe holder (1) with a sole holder (2), a base (3) and a tensioning device (4), wherein the sole holder (2) has engagement elements (6) which engage in counter-engagement elements (7) on longitudinal sides of a sole (8) and connect the sole (8) to the ski in a walking position and a skiing position, b) a mechanism (5) for opening and closing the sole holder (2), c) an entry aid (9) which is connectable to or connected with the toe holder (1) and forms a stop (10) for a toe-side end of the sole (8), characterized in that d) a distance of the stop (10) to the sole holder (2) is adjustable.