Ski Binding Front Unit Lever Mechanism Friction Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gliding board bindings experience high wear and friction losses due to the use of spiral springs, which require linear guidance and sliding elements, leading to complex constructions and undefined release behaviors.
Innovation Solution
A front unit with a lever mechanism that converts pivoting movements of engagement elements into linear movements of a tensioning element, eliminating the need for linear guides and reducing friction through pivot bearings, allowing for a simpler and more reliable binding system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spiral springs are used to generate tensioning force, then the binding shows well-defined force behavior and can be produced inexpensively, but high friction forces occur due to linear movement requiring sliding elements and linear guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional spiral spring with a torsion spring that utilizes rotational movement instead of linear movement. This substitution eliminates the need for sliding elements and linear guidance, thereby reducing friction losses while maintaining well-defined force behavior through the torsional characteristics of the spring.
2Ease of manufacture
If linear guidance and sliding elements are used for spiral springs, then the tensioning element can be displaceably held, but the construction becomes complex and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear guidance and sliding element system with a rotational mechanism where the tensioning element pivots on a pivot axis. This eliminates complex linear guidance structures while maintaining the capability of displaceable movement through rotational degrees of freedom, thereby simplifying the overall construction.
3Reliability
If sliding elements and linear guidance are used, then the tensioning device can function, but additional housing is required to protect against snow, ice and moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear sliding mechanism with a rotational pivot mechanism. Since pivot bearings naturally resist the ingress of contaminants better than linear guides, and the rotational movement is more compact, the protective housing requirements are reduced, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable functional operation.
4Ease of operation
If pivotable levers sliding off linearly guided displacement elements are used, then movement conversion is achieved, but contact areas experience high friction forces accelerating wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sliding contact between pivotable levers and linearly guided displacement elements with a pure rotational pivot mechanism. The lever rotates on a pivot axis without sliding contact, eliminating high friction forces at the contact area and thereby extending the service life of the moving parts while maintaining effective movement conversion.
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 reduces wear and friction, enhances the definition of release behavior, and provides a lightweight, easy-to-handle binding with improved power transmission properties and reduced construction costs, suitable for touring and ski jumping applications.
Implementation Method 1
the tensioning device has a torsion spring (36) acting on the displaceably held tensioning element (40) with a force increasing with displacement
Implementation Method 2
the conversion between the pivoting movements of the engaging elements and the sliding movement of the tightening element being effected by a lever mechanism
Implementation Method 3
reduces friction losses between the engagement elements and the tensioning element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a front unit (10) for a sliding board binding, comprising two engagement elements (32L, 32R) which have engagement sections (16L, 16R) configured to engage opposing lateral sections (14L, 14R) of a sliding board shoe (12), wherein the engagement elements (32L, 32R) are pivotably mounted on the front unit (10), and a clamping device (34) which generates an elastic force for pre-tensioning the engagement sections (16L, 16R) in the engagement direction, wherein the clamping device (34) has a slidably mounted clamping element (40), and wherein the conversion between the pivoting movements of the engagement elements (32L, 32R) and the displacement movement of the clamping element (40) is effected by a lever mechanism comprising: two levers pivoting according to the engagement elements (32L, 32R),a displacement section which moves in accordance with the clamping element (40) and a joint element (48) which has a first and a second pivot point at which it is pivotably connected to the levers, and which has a third pivot point located between the first and the second pivot point at which it is pivotably connected to the displacement section.