Alpine Touring Binding Toe Unit Translation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The DYNAFIT alpine touring binding system requires cumbersome and time-consuming processes to switch between touring and downhill modes, especially in deep snow or steep slopes, due to the need to disengage the toe unit and re-engage it after rotating the heel unit, and the jaws' over-centre mechanism makes it difficult to align the toe correctly.
Innovation Solution
A toe unit with jaws that are constantly biased towards a closed position, featuring a movable stop and lever mechanism to control opening and closing, allowing for pivotal movement and easy alignment, and a mechanism to translate the toe unit forward and rearward for mode switching without disengaging the footwear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the DYNAFIT binding system uses an over-centre mechanism for the jaws, then the jaws can be retained in open or closed positions, but it becomes difficult to align the toe correctly and increases the complexity of mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system is divided into separate toe unit and heel unit that can independently move relative to each other. The toe unit can translate forward and rearward on the ski, allowing the heel to disengage from the heel unit while the toe remains engaged, eliminating the need to fully disengage and re-engage the toe during mode transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The toe unit is made dynamically movable along the longitudinal axis of the ski through a translation mechanism. This dynamic capability allows the toe unit to shift position to facilitate heel release while maintaining toe engagement, enabling efficient mode switching without requiring complete disengagement of the binding system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the toe unit must be completely disengaged to switch between touring and downhill modes, then the heel unit can be rotated, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult in deep snow or steep slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system separates the toe engagement function from the heel engagement function, allowing independent operation of the toe unit and heel unit. This segmentation enables the heel to be released while the toe remains engaged, permitting rapid mode transitions without requiring complete disengagement and re-engagement of the entire binding system.
Solution Approach 2:
The toe unit is pre-positioned and remains engaged with the toe throughout the mode transition process. This preliminary engagement eliminates the need to disengage and re-engage the toe, allowing the user to simply rotate the heel unit to switch between touring and downhill modes, significantly reducing transition time and effort.
3Reliability
If the jaws are biased towards a closed position with constant pressure, then secure engagement is achieved, but it increases the force required to open the jaws for entry
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw mechanism transitions from a static over-centre design to a dynamic spring-biased design that allows controlled movement. The spring bias provides constant closing force for secure engagement while allowing the jaws to be opened with moderate force through a lever mechanism, eliminating the need to overcome high over-centre retention forces during entry.
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
Facilitates efficient mode switching and accurate toe alignment, reducing the complexity and time required to transition between touring and downhill modes, and allows for easier entry and secure engagement of the footwear in deep snow or steep conditions.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the jaws are constantly biased by one or more resilient elements towards a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for holding a footwear toe to a snow travel aid. The apparatus comprises jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of the footwear about the toe in forward and rearward directions and is for use with a heel holder that provides for lateral release. The apparatus comprises one or more resilient elements for biasing the jaws whereby the jaws are biased towards a closed position throughout the operational range of motion of the jaws. Also provided is an apparatus which comprises jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of footwear about the toe, wherein the apparatus is adapted for generally horizontal, forward and rearward translation relative to a longitudinal axis of the snow travel aid, selectively by a user. Also provided is an apparatus comprising jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of footwear about the toe, and a lock for inhibiting opening of the jaws, the lock comprising one or more resilient elements which provide resilience while inhibiting opening of the jaws.