Preloaded Locking Brake Arrangement for Touring Bindings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brake arrangements for touring bindings are complex, heavy, and prone to incorrect operation, especially in adverse weather conditions, which can lead to safety hazards due to inadequate locking mechanisms during uphill skiing and potential decoupling of skis.
Innovation Solution
A brake arrangement with a preloaded locking element that automatically engages in the sliding position without manual pedal pressing, featuring a rotatable blocking element with actuating portions for easy operation and a hook-like locking mechanism to ensure secure locking and prevent incorrect operation by preventing the blocking element from being set in the blocking position during uphill skiing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brake arrangement uses a complex locking mechanism to ensure secure locking in sliding position, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is preloaded into the engaged position by a resilient element before the brake arrangement is adjusted to the sliding position. This preliminary action ensures that the locking mechanism is ready to engage immediately when the brake arms contact the ground, providing reliable locking without requiring complex manual operation during critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed to automatically block the locking element in the sliding position through a step-in function, where the ski boot heel itself activates the blocking mechanism by pressing the pedal down. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual intervention and reduces the complexity of external control systems while maintaining secure locking.
2Ease of operation
If the brake arrangement is designed to be lightweight and simple for uphill skiing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of locking mechanism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake arrangement dynamically adapts between two operational modes: in uphill skiing mode, the blocking element prevents the locking element from engaging, allowing free pedal movement and ease of operation; in downhill braking mode, the locking element is preloaded and ready to engage automatically when the brake arms contact the ground, ensuring reliability. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism has different functional states for different operational contexts: during uphill skiing, the blocking element is in a position that prevents locking engagement, providing simplicity; during downhill operation, the preloaded locking element is positioned to engage automatically with the blocking element, providing reliability. Each local context receives the appropriate functional quality.
3Reliability
If the blocking element can be freely adjusted to prevent incorrect operation, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ski boot heel itself serves as the actuating mechanism for the blocking element. When the user steps into the binding, the heel automatically presses the pedal down, which in turn activates the blocking element to engage with the locking element. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment by the user, improving ease of operation while maintaining the safety function of preventing incorrect operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal acts as an intermediary between the ski boot heel and the blocking element. The heel's downward pressure on the pedal is transmitted through the pedal mechanism to activate the blocking element, which then engages with the preloaded locking element. This intermediary mechanism translates a simple user action (stepping in) into the complex sequence of locking operations, improving ease of operation while ensuring reliable prevention of incorrect operation.
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 provides a lightweight, user-friendly, and secure brake arrangement that automatically locks in the sliding position, preventing ski decoupling and enhancing safety by preventing incorrect operation, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first resilient element which is designed to preload the brake arrangement into the braking position
Implementation Method 2
a locking element and a blocking element... in the engaged position, is designed to lock the brake arrangement in the sliding position
Data Source
AI summary
A brake arrangement for a touring binding, adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position. The brake arrangement includes a base having a fastening arrangement for fastening to one or more of a ski or the touring binding, a pedal having a step surface for a shoe on a side of the pedal facing away from the ski, at least one brake arm mounted on the base and on the pedal, at least one first resilient element configured to preload the brake arrangement into the braking position, and a locking element that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The locking element, in the engaged position, is designed to lock the brake arrangement in the sliding position. The locking element may be preloaded into the engaged position. The brake arrangement may include a blocking element that is adjustable between a blocking position and a release position.