Cross Country Ski Binding Curved Chassis Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cross country ski bindings limit the range of motion of the skier's foot, restricting the ability to adapt to varying terrain, snow conditions, and skiing techniques, which hampers performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cross country ski arrangement featuring a binding apparatus with an upper and lower chassis section, where at least one contact surface is curved, allowing for a greater range of motion by enabling the ski boot to pivot over a larger angle, and a spring back mechanism to maintain a neutral position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cross country ski bindings are used to securely fix the toe region, then the boot is firmly attached to the ski, but the range of motion of the skier's foot is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The binding apparatus employs curved contact surfaces (first and second contact surfaces) that enable rolling contact motion between the upper and lower chassis sections. This curvature allows the upper chassis section to pivot through a larger angular range while maintaining continuous contact, thereby increasing the skier's foot range of motion and adaptability to different skiing techniques and terrain conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heel is allowed to swing up from the ski surface, then the skier can perform cross country skiing techniques, but the foot angle adjustment range is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The binding apparatus transitions from a static fixed-angle binding to a dynamic system where the upper chassis section can pivot relative to the lower chassis section through rolling contact. This dynamic mechanism allows the foot angle to adjust continuously within a broader range while the skier performs techniques, enhancing adaptability without requiring multiple discrete adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved contact surfaces enable smooth angular adjustment of the foot angle through rolling motion. As the upper chassis section pivots, the curved surfaces maintain continuous contact while allowing progressive angle changes, providing a simple yet effective means to expand the foot angle adjustment range without complex mechanical systems.
3Speed
If the grip or kick wax zone length is reduced to enhance gliding, then gliding performance improves, but sufficient grip at kick off may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contact surfaces in the binding apparatus enable a more efficient transfer of force from the skier's leg to the ski during the kick-off phase. The rolling contact mechanism allows for optimized force application angles, which compensates for the reduced grip zone length by improving the mechanical efficiency of force transmission, thereby maintaining sufficient grip despite the shorter wax zone.
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 solution allows for enhanced adaptability to different skiing techniques and conditions, enabling longer leg strokes, improved balance, and reduced contact with the snow, thereby enhancing performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A spring back means is arranged to urge the momentary contact region to a neutral position between the front and rear ends of the first and second contact surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A cross country ski arrangement, comprising a cross country ski (10, 110), and a binding apparatus (30, 130) which comprises an upper chassis section (40, 140) comprising a first contact surface (43, 143) having a front end and a rear end, and a lower chassis section (50, 150) comprising a second contact surface (53, 153) having a front end and a rear end. At least one of the first (43, 143) and second (53, 153) contact surfaces exhibits a curved portion, thereby allowing the upper chassis section (40, 140) to pivot relative to the lower chassis section (50, 150) by rolling contact motion between the first (43, 143) and second (53, 153) contact surface, such that a momentary contact region (CR) of the first (43, 143) and second (53, 153) contact surfaces moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction between the front and rear ends of the first (43, 143) and second (53, 153) contact surfaces. A spring back means (60, 160) is arranged to urge the momentary contact region (CR) to a neutral position between the front and rear ends of the first (43, 143) and second (53, 153) contact surfaces. At least a portion of the upper (40, 140) and the lower (50, 150) chassis sections are recessed into the ski body (11, 111) from the upper ski surface (12, 112) such that the first (43, 143) and second (53, 153) contact surfaces are arranged below the upper ski surface (12, 112).