Cross-Country Ski Binding With Dual Pivot Hooks for Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross-country ski bindings are mechanically complex, heavy, and prone to unexpected tripping due to the need for large lever actuation and conversion of rotation into translation, with insufficient tearing resistance against vertical forces.
Innovation Solution
A cross-country ski binding with a holding element that pivots about a vertical axis, featuring two hooks that move in opposite directions to secure the boot, utilizing a mechanism with a return force to ensure reliable engagement and release, and an operating member for easy actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wide hook is used to lock the pivot axis of the boot, then the boot can be securely held, but the binding becomes heavier and the mechanism more complex and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The binding is divided into two independent hooks located on either side of the median longitudinal plane, each hook cooperating with the pivot axis separately. This segmentation allows each hook to be simpler in design while collectively providing secure boot holding, avoiding the need for a single complex wide hook mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a lever mechanism is used to translate hooks horizontally and longitudinally, then the boot can be engaged and released, but the lever requires large amplitude of movement and may cause unexpected tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The hooks are made movable in longitudinal translation under the effect of knob rotation, allowing dynamic adjustment of hook position. This dynamic mechanism enables easy boot engagement and release while maintaining stability during normal skiing, as the hooks can adapt their position without requiring large lever amplitudes.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanism converts rotation of a control knob into translation of hooks, then the hooks can be actuated, but the mechanism becomes mechanically complex and requires large lever arms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical conversion mechanisms with a simpler direct rotation-to-translation system. The hooks move in longitudinal translation under the effect of knob rotation, eliminating the need for large lever arms and complex mechanical conversions, thereby reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If vertical walls with grooves are used to center the boot, then the boot is securely centered, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Vertical walls with grooves are positioned specifically at the front part of the binding where boot centering is most critical. This localized approach provides effective boot centering without requiring complex structures throughout the entire binding, achieving reliable boot positioning with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-country ski binding intended to receive a boot equipped with a connecting member, has a base with a receiving portion configured to receive the connecting member, and a holding element movable between an engaged position in which it prevents the connecting member from exiting the receiving portion, and a retracted position, in which the receiving portion is open to allow insertion and removal of the connecting member in the receiving portion. The holding element is carried by a mechanism allowing its rotation with respect to a vertical axis, in which the holding element has two protruding portions oriented in opposite directions, arranged to cover the connecting member when the holding element is in the engaged position, such that the protruding portions are moved in opposite directions of the longitudinal direction between the engaged and retracted positions.