Ski Binding Heel Unit Virtual Axis Rotation Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ski binding heel units are heavy and bulky due to the use of dense materials like aluminum for the axle body, which acts as a rotation axis, and the arrangement of elastic elements takes up significant installation space, leading to higher manufacturing costs and weight.
Innovation Solution
A heel unit design featuring a virtual axis of rotation where the elastic element extends, eliminating the need for a pin or post, allowing for a compact and lightweight structure with reduced friction and adjustable triggering forces through a compression spring and housing part arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed axle body (pin or post) is used as the vertical axis of rotation, then the heel unit achieves reliable rotational support and safety release function, but the weight and size of the heel unit increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional fixed axle body (pin or post) from the heel unit design. Instead of using a physical rotating axis, the invention employs a virtual axis of rotation that passes through the elastic element, eliminating the need for a separate rotating component and significantly reducing weight while maintaining the safety release function through the elastic element's deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the spring providing the release force and the vertical axis of rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components (axle body and spring), reducing the number of parts and overall weight while maintaining reliable operation.
2Reliability
If a fixed axle body is used as the vertical axis of rotation, then the binding body can rotate reliably for safety release, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase due to the need for dense materials like aluminum
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex fixed axle body structure from the design. By using a virtual axis of rotation through the elastic element, the patent eliminates the need for精密 machined metal posts or pins, significantly simplifying the device structure and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable rotational support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the rotation axis from a physical solid object (pin/post) to a virtual mathematical axis. This parameter change transforms the design from a mechanically complex assembly requiring precision machining to a simpler structure relying on elastic element geometry and deformation characteristics.
3Reliability
If the elastic element is supported on the axle body, then the safety release function is achieved, but the installation space required increases due to the arrangement of elastic element and axle body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of the axle body and the elastic element into a single integrated structure. The elastic element itself defines the vertical axis of rotation, combining what were previously separate components (support structure and spring) into one element, thereby minimizing the installation space required while maintaining the safety release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element serves dual purposes: it provides the rotational axis function and the spring function simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional space-consuming components and allows for a more compact arrangement of the heel unit.
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 design achieves a compact and lightweight ski binding with reduced wear and adjustable triggering forces, enhancing safety and usability while minimizing material usage and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, particularly in the form of a compression spring
Implementation Method 2
This allows for a safety release in the event of a fall or similar incident, when forces exceeding a predetermined threshold are exerted on the binding elements. The rotation of the binding body around the axle body, against the spring force of the elastic element, triggers this release.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heel unit (10) for a ski binding, in particular a touring binding, wherein the heel unit (10) is adjustable between an engagement position, in which it engages a heel section of a ski boot to be coupled with the heel unit (10), and a release position, in which it releases the heel section of the ski boot, and wherein the heel unit (10) comprises a base (12) which has a fastening arrangement for attachment to a ski surface, a binding body (16) which has engagement means (18a, 18b) for engaging the heel section of the ski boot, wherein the binding body (16) is rotatably mounted on the base (12) for adjustment between the engagement position and the release position of the heel unit about a vertical axis of rotation (V) that is substantially orthogonal to a ski plane defined by the ski surface, and comprises an elastic element (20).which is arranged essentially parallel to the ski plane and orthogonal to the vertical axis of rotation (V) and pre-tensions the binding body (16) into the engagement position of the heel unit (10), wherein the elastic element (20) rotates together with the binding body (16) about the vertical axis of rotation (V) during adjustment between the engagement position and the release position, and wherein the elastic element (20) extends beyond the vertical axis of rotation (V) so that it projects beyond the vertical axis of rotation (V) on two sides.