Glideboard Binding Adjustment With an Inclined-Axis Spiral Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoe retaining devices for gliding boards, particularly in cross-country skiing, are cumbersome, complex to adjust, and prone to weight distribution issues, compromising balance and reliability due to exposure to outdoor conditions.
Innovation Solution
A retaining device with a chassis that slides longitudinally relative to the gliding board, featuring a holding mechanism and an adjustment member with a cooperation portion that rotates around an inclined axis, allowing easy adjustment of the shoe's position without removing it from the binding, and is designed for compact integration and protection from the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional adjustment mechanisms are used, then the shoe position can be adjusted, but the device becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a control element for user input, a transmission element for motion conversion, and a rack mechanism for linear displacement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adjustability functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional linear actuator that pushes the chassis forward, the invention uses a rotational control element that, through a transmission mechanism, converts rotational motion into longitudinal sliding motion. This inverted approach simplifies the user interface while achieving the same adjustment function.
2Ease of operation
If adjustment mechanisms are positioned towards the front of the gliding board, then adjustment is possible, but the balance of the gliding board deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is positioned in a vertically accessible location above the chassis, allowing the user to operate it with one hand while maintaining proper balance on the gliding board. This vertical positioning separates the control interface from the longitudinal weight distribution concerns, solving both accessibility and balance issues simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If adjustment mechanisms are exposed to the outdoor environment, then accessibility is maintained, but reliability is compromised due to frost and snow accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The control element and transmission mechanism are nested within a protective housing that shields them from snow and frost accumulation. The housing includes openings or windows that allow the user to access and operate the control element while maintaining protection against environmental contaminants, thus preserving both reliability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing may incorporate transparent or translucent panels made of flexible or rigid material that protect the internal mechanism from weather elements while allowing visual feedback to the user. This shell protects against frost and snow without completely isolating the user from the control interface.
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 solution enables quick and intuitive adjustment of the shoe's position, improving sporting performance and balance by reducing bulk and exposure, while protecting the mechanism from snow and frost, thus enhancing user experience and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment member comprises a cooperation portion mounted to rotate around an axis of rotation inclined at an angle α of between 30° and 90° relative to said main plane (XY)... The first relief is configured so that its lateral sides are able to cooperate with contact surfaces of complementary reliefs of the rack so as to cause the longitudinal sliding of the chassis relative to the gliding board under the effect of the rotation of the cooperation portion around said axis.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a retention device (10) for a shoe on a sliding board (20), the retention device (10) comprising: - a chassis (100) configured to cooperate with the sliding board (20) so as to be able to slide longitudinally relative to the sliding board (20), the chassis (100) having an underside face (103), extending mainly along a plane, called the principal plane (XY), - a retention mechanism (110) for a hooking element belonging to the shoe, - an adjustment member (1200). The adjustment member (1200) includes a cooperation portion (122) mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation (z122) inclined at an angle (α) between 30° and 90° with respect to said main plane (XY), the cooperation portion (122) including a spiral portion configured to cooperate with the rack (32) so as to cause the longitudinal sliding of the chassis (100) with respect to the slide board (20).