Cross-Country Ski Binding Cam Lever Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross-country ski bindings face challenges in reliably transitioning the locking elements into a release position without tools, especially due to temperature and material creep issues, and often require manual dexterity to adjust the binding element's position on the slide rail.
Innovation Solution
The ski binding incorporates an operating element with an inclined run-on surface that interacts with a lever element's inclined contact surface, allowing for simple and tool-free release from a locked position by pivoting the lever element out of the blocked position, using cooperating ramp and contact surfaces, and snap-in latching elements for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded piston with elastic prestressing is used to lock the binding element, then the locking position is maintained, but the release position cannot be reliably ensured due to temperature and material age dependence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the elastic prestressing mechanism (spring-loaded piston) with a cam lever mechanism. The cam lever uses geometric shape and mechanical advantage rather than elastic material properties to achieve reliable operation. The cam profile is designed so that in the locked position, the latching element engages the binding element, while in the release position, the cam geometry automatically disengages the latching element without requiring elastic recovery that depends on temperature and material age.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from elastic force (which varies with temperature and age) to mechanical leverage through cam geometry. The cam lever transforms the user's input force into amplified mechanical action that reliably moves the latching element between positions, making the operation independent of material property variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple latching elements are provided to secure the binding element in various positions, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the locking device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cam lever to perform multiple functions: it locks the binding element in position, releases the binding element for movement, and provides tactile feedback to the user. Instead of separate mechanisms for each function, the cam lever's geometric profile integrates these operations into a single component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through the defined cam path.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam lever is designed as a movable element that dynamically transitions between locked and release positions. The cam profile creates different mechanical states during movement, automatically engaging and disengaging the latching element as needed. This dynamic approach allows a single mechanism to provide secure positioning at multiple points along the cam's rotation path.
3Reliability
If a tool is required to open the locking mechanism, then the locking security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam lever mechanism is designed to be operated directly by the user without requiring external tools. The user applies force to the cam lever handle, and the cam geometry translates this input into the necessary mechanical action to disengage the latching element. The system serves itself by using the user's input force amplified through mechanical leverage, eliminating the need for screwdrivers or other tools while maintaining secure locking when engaged.
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 ensures reliable and effortless adjustment of the binding element's position on the slide rail, preventing unintentional loosening and allowing users to change the binding's position without needing to hold the lever element, providing tactile and audible feedback for secure locking and unlocking.
Implementation Method 1
a lever element which can be pivoted about a pivot axis in such a way that in a displacement position the latching elements are not in engagement with one another
Implementation Method 2
the binding element has an operating element with an inclined run-on surface, which can be transferred between an open and a closed position, the inclined run-on surface of the operating element interacting with an inclined contact surface of the lever element
Implementation Method 3
cooperating ramp and contact surfaces, and snap-in latching elements for secure positioning
Data Source
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AI summary
A ski binding, in particular a cross-country binding, with a binding element (5) which is mounted displaceably on a slide rail (2) provided for arrangement on a ski (1) and which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the slide rail (2), can be fixed in different positions by means of a latching device, wherein the latching device has latch elements (3, 11) which engage in each other in a blocking position on the binding side and on the ski side, and the binding-side latch element (11) has a lever element (12) which is pivotable in such a way that, in a displacement position, the latch elements (3, 11) are not in engagement with each other, wherein the binding element (5) has an operating element (10) with an oblique run-on surface (20) which can be transferred between an open position and a closed position, wherein the oblique run-on surface (20) of the operating element (10), upon transfer of the operating element (10) to the open position, cooperates with an oblique contact surface (21) of the lever element (12) in such a way that the lever element (12) is moved out of the blocking position.