Adjustable Ski Binding Heel Unit with Blocking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
U-spring bindings in alpine touring are not adjustable for release settings and are prone to wear, compromising safety and durability, while more complex designs with independent pins are heavier and more complicated.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight ski binding heel unit with two rotatable heel pins and a blocking element that adjusts the effective spring action, allowing for customizable release settings without increasing weight or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a u-shaped spring is used in the heel unit, then the binding is lightweight and mechanically simple, but the release settings are not adjustable and the spring is prone to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The u-shaped spring is segmented into two separate heel pins, allowing independent adjustment of the blocking element position along the pins. This segmentation enables adjustable release settings while maintaining the lightweight advantage of the original u-spring design.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is made adjustable along the heel pins, transforming the static u-spring binding into a dynamic system where the release settings can be customized. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the binding to adapt to different skier requirements without adding significant weight.
2Device complexity
If a u-shaped spring is used in the heel unit, then the binding structure is simple, but the spring is prone to wear from rubbing against heel fittings
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the u-shaped spring into two separate heel pins with a blocking element, the design reduces direct rubbing wear on the spring ends. The blocking element acts as a wear interface that can be replaced independently, improving the reliability of the overall system while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent pins with spring pressure are used instead of a u-shaped spring, then release settings become adjustable, but the binding becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable blocking element merges the adjustment mechanism with the heel pin structure itself, rather than adding separate complex adjustment devices. This integration allows release settings to be adjusted by simply repositioning the blocking element along the pins, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving adjustability.
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 provides a durable and adjustable ski binding that maintains a simple, lightweight design while enhancing the durability and safety of u-spring bindings by allowing for customizable release settings through the adjustable blocking element.
Implementation Method 1
The pins are intended to be forced apart against spring pressure to respective release positions
Implementation Method 2
the heel pins themselves provide a biasing by each flexing outward at the frontmost heel pin tip
Implementation Method 3
The pins typically communicate with a spring or springs through inclined sliding surfaces that move a block which engages the spring or springs
Implementation Method 4
one or more springs that are either horizontally mounted springs or vertically mounted springs. In both of the aforementioned binding types the springs providing the lateral release biasing action both push on a plunger which slides against a cam surface to provide this biasing action
Data Source
AI summary
A heel unit apparatus for a ski touring binding features two separate heel pins projecting forwardly from a heel body, and a heel pin blocker engaging the heel pins at an adjustable location within lengthwise mid regions thereof to laterally restrain outward spreading of the heel pins at said location. A blocker adjustment is operable to vary location of the blocker. Rear regions of the heel pins are restrained against longitudinal and lateral displacement. Lateral outward spreading of the heel pins in front of the heel body during both forced insertion of a footwear heel and safety release thereof is achieved by laterally outward flexure of the heel pins themselves. The adjustable location of the blocker varies the resistance to such spreading, thus setting the effective spring stiffness of the heel unit, and thereby dictating the spreading force needed to spread the heel pins apart during footwear insertion and release.