Ski Binding Heel Unit with Integrated Brake Lock and Shoe Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heel units for gliding board bindings require non-intuitive operating procedures to adjust between touring and downhill positions, and lack a simple mechanism for supporting the shoe in steep terrain, leading to potential incorrect operation and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
A heel unit with a movably attached brake lock member that can be independently adjusted between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the user to decide the binding's mode of operation, and incorporating a shoe support section that doubles as a climbing aid, ensuring intuitive adjustment and enhanced stability on steep terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the heel unit is tilted backwards to release the boot for getting in and out, then the binding is opened, but the brake assembly cannot be locked in the driving position and an additional climbing aid is required
Solution Approach 1:
The brake lock member is integrated into the binding body structure, combining the brake locking function with the existing binding components. This eliminates the need for separate climbing aids while maintaining the intuitive heel-up position for touring mode, thereby merging multiple functions into a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding body is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the binding mechanism and a climbing aid through its upper side shoe support section. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated climbing aids, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a fixed projection on the binding body releases the brake arrangement in the engaged position, then the brake is ready to brake, but two non-intuitive operating procedures are necessary to adjust to touring position
Solution Approach 1:
The brake lock member is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions, allowing dynamic adjustment based on the desired mode. This dynamic mechanism enables the user to select touring mode by simply tilting the heel up while the brake lock member automatically positions itself, eliminating the need for separate brake pedal depression and making the operation intuitive and reliable.
3Ease of operation
If the heel unit is tilted backwards for touring position, then the brake can be locked in driving position, but the binding body cannot support the shoe as a climbing aid
Solution Approach 1:
The binding body's upper side is designed with a shoe support section that functions as a climbing aid. This allows the binding body to support the shoe in touring position without requiring the heel unit to be tilted backwards, thereby maintaining both the touring position adjustment capability and the climbing aid function simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a heel unit 10 for a ski binding, comprising: a base body 12 for attachment to a ski binding 14, a binding body 16 which is pivotably mounted about a transverse axis extending transversely to a ski binding longitudinal axis L, so that it is adjustable between an engagement position for holding a heel section 22 of a shoe 24 and a release position for releasing the heel section 22 of the shoe 24, a brake assembly 28 with a brake element 30 which is movable between a brake position for braking an associated ski binding 14 and a driving position without braking the ski binding 14, and a brake locking element 34 which is adjustable by a user between a locking position in which the brake locking element 34 locks the brake assembly in the driving position, and a release position in which the brake assembly is released for adjustment to the brake position.