Low-Profile Ski Binding Base Plate for Enhanced Snow Touch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski binding systems fail to position the rotation pin of the ski boot close enough to the snow surface, limiting the skier's sensation and performance due to the distance between the rotation point and the snow surface.

Innovation Solution

A base plate with a low-profile design that integrates a rotational locking mechanism, featuring a planar resting portion and support sections with an axle pin hole aligned to position the rotation pin low on the ski binding, allowing the rotation pin to be very close to the snow surface, thereby enhancing the 'snow touch' sensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a conventional ski binding system is used, then the rotation pin is positioned at a higher location on the binding, but this increases the distance between the rotation pin and the snow surface, reducing the skier's sensation and performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance from rotation pin to snow surfaceVSAvoidsnow touch sensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate extends downward beneath the binding in a vertical dimension, positioning the rotation pin lower than conventional designs. This dimensional extension allows the rotation pin to be positioned closer to the snow surface without interfering with the binding's operational function, thereby improving snow touch sensation while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the rotation pin is positioned lower on the binding, then the snow touch sensation is improved, but this may compromise the structural stability and reliability of the binding system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesnow touch sensationVSAvoidbinding system stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The binding system is divided into distinct functional components: the base plate that extends downward to position the rotation pin low for improved snow touch, and the binding mechanism that remains positioned higher for structural stability and reliable operation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its position independently, achieving both low rotation pin position and high system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate acts as an intermediary element between the binding system and the snow surface. It transmits forces and sensations from the snow through the rotation pin to the skier's boot, enabling improved snow touch sensation while the binding mechanism itself remains in a stable, higher position for reliable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2461879B1Locking mechanism for ski binding
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 ROTTEFELLA AS
  • EP2461879B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP2461879B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2461879B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a single piece base portion (10) for a locking mechanism (30) for a ski binding (1), in particular a cross country or touring ski binding. The base portion (10) comprising: a planar resting portion (11); one or more, preferably two, support sections (12) extending out of the plane of the planar resting portion (11). In particular, each of the support sections (12) comprises an axle pin hole (13) for receiving an axle (21) of a part associated with the locking mechanism (30). Further, the lowest section (14) of the axle pin hole (13) is aligned with the upper surface (15) of the planar resting portion (11).