Ski Binding Sole Holder Adjustment via Lower Gears
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski bindings face challenges in adapting to ski boot soles of different thicknesses, leading to increased height, exposure to environmental elements, and complex adjustment processes that compromise safety and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
The gears connected to the bolts are positioned at the lower ends of the housing, allowing for synchronized adjustment of sole holders by rotating one bolt, which is connected to an adjustment sleeve, ensuring protection from environmental influences and simplifying the adjustment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gears are arranged in the upper area of the jaw to enable height adjustment of sole holders, then the sole holders can be adapted to different ski boot sole thicknesses, but the overall height of the binding increases and the gears become exposed to environmental elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the gears from the upper vertical area to the lower horizontal area of the jaw. Specifically, the gears are arranged in a recess on the underside of the jaw, closing the gear housing from below. This dimensional relocation maintains the height adjustment functionality while protecting gears from environmental exposure and reducing overall binding height.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gears are arranged in the upper area of the jaw, then height adjustment is enabled, but the required encapsulation is difficult to achieve and lubricating grease escapes
Solution Approach 1:
The gears are relocated from the upper area to the lower area of the jaw, where they can be effectively enclosed in a recess on the underside. This positioning allows for complete encapsulation of the gear mechanism, preventing grease escape while maintaining the height adjustment function through the bolt and gearwheel connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate adjustment mechanisms are used for each sole holder, then independent adjustment is possible, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment mechanisms by using a single bolt with a gearwheel that simultaneously controls both sole holders. The bolt passes through both sole holders and connects to the gear mechanism, so that rotating the bolt adjusts both sole holder heights synchronously. This merging of adjustment functions simplifies the operation while maintaining adaptability to different boot thicknesses.
4Adaptability or versatility
If gears are arranged in the upper area of the jaw, then height adjustment is enabled, but the overall height of the binding increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gear mechanism is relocated from the vertical upper area to the horizontal lower area of the jaw. The gears are positioned in a recess on the underside of the jaw, which allows the height adjustment functionality to be achieved without increasing the overall height of the binding. The adjustment occurs through vertical movement of the sole holders while the gear mechanism remains in the lower horizontal plane.
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 easy and simultaneous adjustment of both sole holders, protecting the gears from environmental exposure and ensuring reliable operation, while reducing the overall height and complexity of the adjustment process, enhancing the safety and usability of the ski binding.
Implementation Method 1
the gears being positioned in a flat recess formed on the underside of the housing, which is closed with a cover
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety ski binding with a toe piece (1) which has a housing (2) accommodating a release mechanism. Two bolts (3) forming vertical axes are arranged on the housing, each bolt connecting a sole holder (4) that holds the front end of the sole edge of a ski boot. The sole holder interacts with the release mechanism and is adjustable vertically relative to the bolt (3) to accommodate ski boot soles of varying thicknesses. The bolts (3) are coaxially connected to gears (11) which mesh with each other or with a gear (12) rotatably arranged between them. The gears (11) connected to the bolts (3) are arranged at the lower ends of the bolts (3). The gears (11, 12) are positioned in a flat recess formed on the underside of the housing (2), which is closed with a cover (13).