Cross-country Ski Binding Eccentric Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross-country ski bindings have complex and heavy force transmission mechanisms that can be impaired by icing, leading to difficulties in converting between closed and released positions, and often result in unreliable and cumbersome operation.
Innovation Solution
A cross-country ski binding with a disc-shaped, eccentrically mounted force transmission element that converts rotary movement of the rotary handle into linear displacement of the holding element, allowing for a more direct and reliable engagement and release of the boot, featuring a recess for the force transmission element and hook-like extensions for secure holding, with optional spring-loaded mechanisms for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex force transmission mechanism with connecting rod and articulated connections is used, then the binding can achieve boot connection and release functionality, but the weight increases and the mechanism becomes impaired by icing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex connecting rod and articulated connection components from the force transmission mechanism. Instead, it uses a direct rotary handle connected to a holding element that pivots about a pivot axis, removing the intermediate components that were causing weight increase and icing problems while maintaining the boot connection and release functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the holding element itself pivotable about a pivot axis rather than using a separate connecting rod to transmit motion. The rotary handle directly controls the holding element's pivot motion, reversing the conventional sequence where a separate mechanism first transmitted force before the holding action occurred
2Reliability
If a combined pivoting and sliding movement mechanism is used, then the boot connection can be established and released, but the lateral mobility required is impaired by icing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motion into a pure rotational movement of the rotary handle that directly translates to the pivot motion of the holding element. This eliminates the need for combined pivoting and sliding movements, allowing the mechanism to operate reliably in cold conditions without icing interference while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the holding element pivotable about a pivot axis rather than using a separate connecting rod to transmit motion. The rotary handle directly controls the holding element's pivot motion, reversing the conventional sequence where a separate mechanism first transmitted force before the holding action occurred
3Weight of moving object
If a disc-shaped eccentrically mounted force transmission element is used, then the kinematics are simplified and weight is reduced, but the mechanism must reliably convert rotary movement to linear displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recess in the holding element that receives the disc-shaped force transmission element. This recess acts as an intermediary that guides the eccentric disc's motion and ensures reliable conversion of rotary movement to linear displacement of the holding element, maintaining force transmission reliability while keeping the mechanism lightweight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an eccentrically mounted disc that converts rotary movement in one dimension to linear displacement in another dimension. The eccentric mounting creates an offset that transforms the rotational motion into the necessary linear motion for holding element displacement, simplifying the kinematics while maintaining reliability
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 simplifies the kinematics, reduces weight, and enhances reliability by providing a stable and parts-saving design that maintains secure engagement and easy operation even in adverse conditions, such as icing.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating element has a substantially disc-shaped, eccentrically mounted force transmission element, which is accommodated in a recess of the holding element to convert the rotary movement of the rotary handle into the displacement of the holding element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cross-country or ski touring binding (1) for connecting a boot (2) to a ski (3) in an articulated manner, comprising a binding base body (4) which comprises a standing surface (5a) for a sole (6) of the boot (2) and a ski contact surface (5b) for at least indirect contact with the ski (3), with a holding device (7) comprising a receiving element (8) for the pivotable arrangement of the boot (2) about a pivoting axis (8a) extending in the transverse direction of the binding base body (4), and a holding element (9) for holding the boot (3) on the receiving element (8), the holding element (9) being mounted on the binding base body (4) such that it moves between a closed position holding the boot (2) on the receiving element (8) and an open position releasing the boot (3), with an actuating element (13) comprising a rotating handle (14) for switching the holding element (9) from the closed position to the open position, said actuating element (13) comprising a substantially disk-shaped, eccentrically mounted force-transmission element (16) which is received in a recess of the holding element (9) in order to convert the rotational movement of the rotating handle (14) into the movement of the holding element, such that the holding element (9) can be switched from the closed position into the open position and vice versa by means of a rotational movement of the rotating handle (14).