Ski Touring Binding Heel Grip with Automatic Brake Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski touring binding devices are unsatisfactory due to their complexity, lack of user-friendliness, and reliability issues, particularly in transitioning between ascent and descent phases, where a simple and reliable mechanism to automatically release the boot and engage the brake is needed to ensure safety.
Innovation Solution
A rear holding element with a heaving lever and locking device that includes a cam mechanism to directly actuate the locking member, allowing the heel gripper to hold the boot in place during descent and automatically switch to an open position for ascent, while the braking device can be easily controlled to prevent unwanted braking during ascent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is fixed relative to the pedal of the braking device, then the braking device can be reliably locked in the inactive position during ascent, but the device complexity increases and user-friendliness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking device with the pedal assembly by making the locking device fixed relative to the pedal rather than to the base. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable locking functionality during ascent phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuating element for the braking device and the mounting base for the locking device. This multi-functionality reduces component count and simplifies the device structure while ensuring reliable operation in both ascent and descent phases.
2Reliability
If the heel gripper holds the boot firmly during descent, then braking effectiveness is improved, but the difficulty of releasing the boot during ascent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heel gripper transitions between two dynamic states: a locked holding position during descent that firmly secures the boot, and an unlocked open position during ascent that allows easy boot removal. The locking device enables this dynamic behavior by selectively engaging or disengaging based on the phase of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping force of the heel gripper is changed between two parameter states: high gripping force during descent for effective braking, and zero gripping force during ascent for easy boot release. The locking device controls this parameter change by mechanically constraining the heel gripper in the locked position or allowing it to open.
3Reliability
If the braking device is always active, then safety during descent is improved, but unwanted braking occurs during ascent
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is configured to automatically lock the braking device in the inactive position during ascent phase before descent begins. This preliminary action prevents unwanted braking during the ascent phase while ensuring the brake is ready to engage immediately when needed during descent.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the braking device state based on the phase of use: the locking device self-activates to lock the brake during ascent and can be easily disengaged for descent, without requiring manual intervention from the user. This self-service mechanism eliminates unwanted braking while maintaining safety.
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 simple, user-friendly, and reliable mechanism for ski touring bindings, ensuring safety by automatically releasing the boot and engaging the brake, thus enhancing the skiing experience by reducing the risk of injury and equipment loss during transitions.
Implementation Method 1
The lever (10) comprises an actuating element, in particular at least one cam (24), of the locking device (9)
Implementation Method 2
locking device (9) comprising a spring (19) which applies an elastic force on the locking member (18) in order to maintain this latter in its rearmost position
Implementation Method 3
heel gripper (7) with a vertical axis of rotation for heaving
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Rear support element (4) for attaching a boot (6) to a ski (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a heel grip (7), movable between a position for holding a heel (6a) of a boot (6) and an open position in which the heel grip (7) does not hold a heel (6a) of a boot (6), and - a braking device (8) for a ski (1), movable between an active position, in which the braking device (8) is capable of braking a ski (1), and an inactive position, in which the braking device (8) is not capable of braking a ski (1), and - a locking device (9) for the braking device (8), movable between a locked position, in which the locking device (9) holds the braking device (8) in its inactive position, and an unlocked position, in which the locking device (9) does not hold the braking device (8) in its inactive position (8).and - a release lever (10), movable relative to the heel grip (7) between at least one climbing position and a putting-on position, the release lever (10) acting on the locking device (9) during its movement from the climbing position to the putting-on position so as to move it from its locking position to its unlocking position and/or vice versa.