Ski Binding Heel Unit Angular Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic heel units for ski bindings have limited adjustment range for safety release, which restricts their ability to absorb high-energy impacts without unintentionally triggering safety mechanisms, especially during sporty skiing.
Innovation Solution
The automatic heel unit incorporates a prestressable elastic element that generates a force at an angle to the direction of prestressing, allowing the holding elements to be pretensioned to their holding distance, enabling a safety release in the forward direction with adjustable strength without increasing the unit's volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stronger elastic element is used to increase the adjustment range for safety release, then the ability to absorb high-energy impacts is improved, but the volume of the heel unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by orienting the force generated by the elastic element at an angle (specifically substantially at right angles) to the direction of prestressing of the transmission element. This angular orientation allows the elastic element to be arranged in a different spatial dimension relative to the transmission element, enabling a compact arrangement that accommodates stronger elastic elements without increasing the overall volume of the heel unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or inclined surfaces in the transmission element that interact with the holding means. These curved surfaces allow the transmission of force at an angle while maintaining compact geometry, enabling the elastic element to generate strong prestressing forces without requiring additional space.
2Volume of stationary object
If the elastic element is oriented at an angle to the prestressing direction, then the compact construction is maintained, but the force transmission efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the elastic element's force generation, specifically orienting it at an angle (substantially at right angles) to the prestressing direction. This parameter change allows compact construction while the mechanical design of the transmission element compensates for any potential force transmission losses through optimized geometry and interaction surfaces.
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
This design allows for a compact construction that enables adjustable safety release in the forward direction, enhancing skier safety by allowing the use of stronger elastic elements without enlarging the heel unit, thus accommodating high-energy impacts without unintended safety triggers.
Implementation Method 1
a prestressable elastic element, through prestressing of which a first force can be generated in the prestressed state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a heel fitting (1) for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding, comprising a heel holder (4) with a holding device (6) for holding a ski boot in a heel area of the ski boot, wherein the heel fitting (1) has a holding configuration in which the holding device (6) is in a holding position and can interact with the heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that the heel area of the ski boot is held down in a lowered position. The holding device (6) comprises two holding means (7.1, 7.2) each with a holding element (8.1, 8.2) for holding the ski boot in the heel area of the ski boot, wherein the two holding means (7.1, 7.2) are movable relative to each other, whereby a distance between the two holding elements (8.1, 8.2) can be changed, wherein the two holding elements (8.1, 8.2) are located at a holding distance to each other in the holding position of the holding device (6).The holding device (6) further comprises a transmission element for interacting with the two holding elements (7.1, 7.2), wherein the transmission element is movable relative to the two holding elements (7.1, 7.2), and a prestressable elastic element, by the prestressing of which a first force can be generated in the prestressed state, with which the elastic element acts on the transmission element to prestress the transmission element in a first direction, thereby prestressing the two holding elements (7.1, 7.2) to their holding distance. The first force is directed at an angle to the first direction.