Ski Binding Heel Unit Camming Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern alpine touring bindings, such as DYNAFIT, face challenges in switching between downhill and touring modes, particularly in deep snow or precarious positions, due to the need for manual rotation of the heel unit and potential accidental switching to downhill mode, and lack of consistent release characteristics under varying compressive forces.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable heel unit with Mz and My release components and a camming surface that translates rearward upon rotation, allowing for consistent placement of the boot heel and engagement/disengagement without rotation, along with a snow brake mechanism that adjusts via forward/rearward translation, ensuring secure touring mode operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the heel unit is manually rotated to switch between downhill and touring modes, then mode switching is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult in deep snow or precarious positions and accidental mode changes may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system performs mode switching automatically based on boot insertion/removal without requiring manual user action. The heel unit rotates and positions itself automatically when the boot is inserted or removed, eliminating the need for the user to manually rotate the heel unit and preventing accidental mode changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the binding for mode switching in advance by designing the heel unit and boot interaction such that the act of inserting or removing the boot automatically triggers the mode change. The camming surface and rotational mechanism are pre-configured to convert boot insertion/removal motion into heel unit rotation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the heel unit is placed close to the boot heel for consistent release characteristics, then release consistency improves, but the snow brake cannot be properly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system is divided into separate functional components: the heel unit for release characteristics and the snow brake for braking function. The snow brake is positioned independently on the ski, allowing the heel unit to be placed close to the boot heel for consistent release while the brake is positioned separately for proper snow contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The snow brake positioning problem is resolved by moving the brake to a different spatial dimension - from being integrated with the heel unit to being positioned on the ski surface. This separates the constraints of heel unit placement from brake placement, allowing both to be optimally positioned for their respective functions.
3Reliability
If the user forces the heel plate downward to engage the snow brake while rotating the heel unit, then the brake is engaged, but the manual activity is difficult in deep snow or precarious locations
Solution Approach 1:
The snow brake engagement is automated through the boot removal process. When the user removes the boot, the heel unit rotates and the snow brake automatically engages with the snow surface without requiring the user to manually force the heel plate downward. The system uses the natural motion of boot removal to trigger brake engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding system prepares the snow brake for automatic engagement by positioning the heel plate and brake components in advance. The camming surface and rotational mechanism are pre-configured so that boot removal automatically triggers the brake engagement sequence, eliminating the need for difficult manual operations in deep snow or precarious locations.
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 consistent release characteristics and easier mode switching, reducing the risk of accidental mode changes and enhancing usability in deep snow conditions by maintaining the heel unit close to the boot heel, while allowing for snow brake engagement/disengagement without manual user effort.
Implementation Method 1
The upper portion comprises at least one camming surface such that rotation of the upper portion results in the at least one camming surface contacting a stop causing the upper portion to translate away from the stop
Implementation Method 2
The upper portion is rotatable on a generally vertical axis between a downhill position and at least one lateral release position. The upper portion further comprises at least one camming surface such that rotation of the upper portion results in the at least one camming surface contacting a stop causing the upper portion to translate away from the stop against the biasing force of a biasing device
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for selective holding of a footwear heel to a snow travel aid is provided. The apparatus is of the kind that comprise a base mountable to the snow travel aid, an upper portion slidable relative to the base and at least one forward connector for connecting the upper portion to the heel. The upper portion is rotatable on a generally vertical axis between a downhill position and at least one lateral release position. In this invention, the upper portion comprises at least one camming surface positioned such that rotation of the upper portion toward the lateral release position results in the upper portion translating rearwardly against an opposing force provided by a forward biasing device.