Ski Binding Heel Holder Radial Bearing Stability
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic heel units for ski bindings lack stability in their design, particularly for touring ski bindings, which require both secure fixation and adjustable configurations for different skiing techniques, including walking and safety releases.
Innovation Solution
The automatic heel unit features a compact design with a radial bearing that securely mounts the heel holder on the base unit, utilizing two arms to grip the pivot axis and elastic elements for effective pretensioning, allowing for stable operation and adjustable configurations for various skiing modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional mounting design is used for the heel holder on the base unit, then the device can be manufactured simply, but the stability and compactness of the automatic heel unit are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The radial bearing is divided into two functional components: a pin formed on the base unit and a receptacle formed on the heel holder. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide stable, compact mounting. The pin acts as a fixed rotation axis while the receptacle provides a precise fitting interface, achieving both stability and compactness without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional linear or planar mounting arrangements to a radial bearing configuration where the heel holder pivots around a vertically oriented pin. This dimensional change to a radial pivot arrangement enables compact mounting while maintaining stability during the pivoting motion required for different skiing techniques.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heel holder is rigidly fixed to the base unit, then the structure is simple, but the heel holder cannot pivot to provide adjustable configurations for different skiing techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The radial bearing merges the pin (fixed on base unit) and receptacle (fixed on heel holder) into a single integrated pivoting mechanism. This combination provides both the fixed reference point (pin) and the movable connection (receptacle accommodating the pin) in one compact assembly, enabling pivoting for different skiing modes without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acts as an intermediary element between the base unit and the heel holder. It provides a fixed rotation axis that mediates the pivoting motion, allowing the heel holder to adjust between different skiing techniques (downhill, touring, telemark) while maintaining a simple and stable connection to the base unit.
3Reliability
If no pretensioning device is used, then the device is simpler, but the heel holder cannot be biased toward the holding position to ensure secure fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element changes the force parameter in the system by providing a pretensioning force that biases the heel holder toward the holding position. This parameter change (adding elastic force) improves reliability of boot fixation without requiring a complex active control mechanism, as the elastic force automatically adjusts with the heel holder position.
4Volume of moving object
If the automatic heel unit is designed for compactness, then the device size is reduced, but the stability and reliability of operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the radial bearing into a pin and receptacle, each component can be minimized in size while maintaining its functional integrity. The pin provides a compact fixed axis, and the receptacle provides a precise, space-efficient interface, together achieving compact overall volume without compromising operational reliability.
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 design ensures a stable and compact automatic heel unit that securely fixes the ski boot in a lowered position while enabling adjustable configurations for walking and safety releases, enhancing the skier's safety and comfort across different skiing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, the impact element being pressed against the pin can be pressed, whereby the positioning structure can be pressed against a counter-structure associated with the pin
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a heel fitting (1) for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding. The heel fitting (1) comprises a base unit (2) for attachment to the surface of a ski and a heel holder (3) with at least one retaining element (31.1, 31.2) for holding a ski boot in the heel area of the ski boot. The heel fitting (1) has a retaining configuration in which the heel holder (3) is in a retaining position and the at least one retaining element (31.1, 31.2) can interact with the heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding such that the heel area of the ski boot is held in a lowered position.The heel assembly (1) further comprises a radial bearing by which the heel holder (3) is pivotably mounted on the base unit (2) about a substantially vertically oriented geometric pivot axis (7) relative to the base unit (2), and thus can pivot away from its holding position along an adjustment path about the pivot axis (7). The radial bearing has a pin (27) formed on a first of the two units consisting of the base unit (2) and heel holder (3), and a receptacle formed on a second of the two units consisting of the base unit (2) and heel holder (3). The pin (27) is rotatably inserted into the receptacle. The heel assembly (1) also includes a pre-tensioning device (6) by which the heel holder (3) can be pre-tensioned towards its holding position in a first part of its adjustment path.The pretensioning device (6) comprises a push element (61) with a positioning structure (63) and an elastic element (62.1, 62.2), wherein the push element (61) can be pressed against the pin (27) by a force generated by the elastic element (62.1, 62.2), thereby pressing the positioning structure (63) against a counter-structure (28) associated with the pin (27) when the heel holder (3) is in the first part of its adjustment range, in order to pretension the heel holder (3) to its holding position in the first part of its adjustment range. The push element (61) has two arms (64.1, 64.2). One of the two arms (64.1, 64.2) is arranged on each side of the positioning structure (63). The two arms (64.1, 64.2) extend on opposite sides of the pin (27) from the positioning structure (63) to a side of the pivot axis (7) facing away from the positioning structure (63).