Ski Binding Heel Unit Lever Mechanism for Compact Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic heel units for touring ski bindings face issues with compactness and ease of operation, as they often require significant force to transition between ascent and downhill positions due to spring-loaded mechanisms that can become clogged with snow and ice, and they occupy a large volume to achieve the necessary movement range.
Innovation Solution
The automatic heel unit features an adjusting lever mounted on the carriage that pivots about a pivot axis, with a lever element mounted on the base element and the adjusting lever, allowing for compact design and reduced volume, enabling smooth transitions between positions without the need for large forces or complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring-loaded mechanisms are used to transition between ascent and downhill positions, then the automatic heel unit can maintain reliable fixation in the downhill position, but significant force is required to operate the adjusting lever and the mechanisms can become clogged with snow and ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring-loaded mechanism from the automatic heel unit, replacing it with a lever element that pivots about a first axis and a second axis. This removal eliminates the need for significant operating force while maintaining reliable fixation through the geometric constraint of the dual-axis pivot system.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever element acts as an intermediary between the adjusting lever and the heel holder. By introducing this intermediate component with dual pivot axes, the system achieves reliable fixation without requiring direct spring-loaded engagement, thereby reducing operating force requirements.
2Reliability
If spring-loaded mechanisms are used to ensure reliable fixation, then the downhill position can be securely maintained, but the mechanisms become complex and prone to clogging with snow and ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded mechanisms entirely, replacing them with a simpler lever element system that uses pivot axes to achieve the same fixation function. This extraction reduces device complexity and eliminates components prone to clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the spring-loaded mechanical system with a lever-based system using pivot axes. This substitution simplifies the mechanism while maintaining the ability to securely maintain the downhill position through geometric constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If large movement range is provided for the carriage to achieve necessary transition between positions, then the heel unit can function properly in both ascent and downhill modes, but the overall volume of the heel unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement dimension by using a lever element that pivots about two different axes rather than requiring linear carriage movement. This dimensional change allows the heel unit to achieve the necessary transition range in a more compact configuration, reducing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic pivoting motion through the lever element and dual-axis system, replacing static linear movement. This dynamic approach allows the same functional range to be achieved in a more compact space, reducing the volume of the heel unit.
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 results in a compact, efficient, and user-friendly automatic heel unit that securely locks the ski boot in the downhill position while allowing easy release in the ascent position, enhancing skiing comfort and safety by minimizing the force required for operation and preventing unintentional movement.
Implementation Method 1
The automatic heel unit features an adjusting lever mounted on the carriage that pivots about a pivot axis, with a lever element mounted on the base element and the adjusting lever
Implementation Method 2
allowing for compact design and reduced volume, enabling smooth transitions between positions without the need for large forces or complex mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The automatic heel piece (1) has a base element (2) for mounting on the heel piece on top side of a ski (7), where a slide (3) is movably mounted on the base element in the ski longitudinal direction. A heel retainer (4) with holding units for holding a ski shoe is arranged on the slide in a heel area of the ski shoe. An operating lever (6) is placed on the slide pivotal around a pivot axis of the ski. A lever element (19) is provided, which is placed on the base element pivotal around an axis (15) and is placed on the operating lever pivotal around another axis (22).