Gliding Board Binding Front Unit with Spring Bearing Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gliding board bindings, particularly ski touring bindings, are complex, costly, heavy, and prone to failure due to their intricate design, requiring significant practice for safe entry and release, and often accidentally release during descents.
Innovation Solution
A front unit for gliding board bindings with adjustable and pivotable retaining levers connected by a spring device, allowing easy boot insertion and secure engagement, featuring a base with lateral bearing elements and a longitudinal positioning element for precise boot alignment, and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional complex front units with multiple joints and bearing sections are used, then the boot engagement is secure, but the device complexity increases, material usage increases, and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The front unit is divided into two independent retaining levers that can operate separately. Each lever has its own spring device and can be adjusted independently, allowing the complex function of secure boot engagement to be achieved through simpler, modular components rather than a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining levers serve multiple functions: they engage the boot laterally, provide spring-loaded retention force, allow independent adjustment of entry and release forces, and can be replaced individually. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying the overall device
2Device complexity
If conventional front units with fixed entry and release forces are used, then the structure is simpler, but the adaptability decreases and safety is compromised due to inability to adjust for different conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The spring devices are made adjustable to change their force characteristics dynamically. The retaining levers can be repositioned along the lever arm to alter the mechanical advantage, allowing the entry force and release force to be independently adjusted based on terrain conditions, boot type, and user preference
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the spring devices (force constant, preload) are made variable through adjustment mechanisms. Users can modify the spring tension and lever positioning to change the operational forces, enabling adaptation to different snow conditions, boot stiffness, and personal strength levels
3Reliability
If conventional front units with complex construction are used, then the boot engagement is reliable, but the ease of manufacture decreases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The front unit is constructed from separate, standardized components (retaining levers, spring devices, mounting base) that can be manufactured independently using standard machining processes. This segmentation allows each component to be produced efficiently and assembled straightforwardly, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining engagement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining levers and spring devices are designed as replaceable components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if worn or damaged. This approach allows use of simpler, more cost-effective materials and manufacturing methods for individual parts rather than requiring high-precision monolithic construction
4Device complexity
If conventional front units with fixed bearing element distance are used, then the structure is simpler, but the ease of operation decreases due to difficulty in finding correct boot entry position
Solution Approach 1:
The distance between the bearing elements on the retaining levers can be adjusted by repositioning the levers on the mounting base. This dynamic adjustment allows the bearing elements to be positioned optimally for different boot sizes and shapes, making boot entry easier without requiring a complex fixed multi-position mechanism
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
Reduces material and manufacturing costs, enhances safety and ease of use by ensuring reliable boot engagement and controlled release, minimizing accidental disengagement during descents.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining levers are operatively connected to one another via a spring device. The spring device also serves as a bearing for the two retaining levers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A front unit (10) for a gliding board binding, in particular for a ski touring binding, wherein the front unit (10) is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, comprising: - a base (11) with a fastening arrangement (12) for attachment to a gliding board (1), - two lateral bearing elements (15) which are designed to engage lateral counter-bearing elements of a boot in order to hold the boot pivotably about a gliding board transverse axis (Q), wherein the bearing elements (15) have a distance in the open position which is greater than in the closed position, so that the boot can be inserted between the bearing elements or removed from the front unit (10), and - two holding levers (13) for moving the bearing elements (15), wherein at least one holding lever (13) is held on the base (11) so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis (D), wherein each holding lever (13) has a first leg (14),at the distal end of which one of the bearing elements (15) is arranged, and a pivoting movement of the at least one holding lever (13) enables a relative movement of the bearing elements (15) from the open position into the closed position, wherein the holding levers (13) are operatively connected to one another via a spring device (16), characterized in that the spring device (16) is simultaneously a bearing (17) for the two holding levers (13).