Ski Binding Heel Holder with Brake-Linked Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touring ski bindings lack a reliable mechanism to prevent the ski from being used for downhill skiing unless the ski brake is securely released, posing safety risks during falls or detachment from the ski boot.
Innovation Solution
A heel holder with a securing element that moves between a locked and unlocked position, preventing the ski boot from entering the heel holder unless the ski brake is released, combined with a ski brake that can be adjusted between contact and braking positions, ensuring safe descent by preventing unintended ski movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ski brake is locked in position to prevent unintended movement during touring, then safety is improved, but the ski boot cannot be entered into the heel holder for downhill skiing
Solution Approach 1:
The ski brake is pre-locked in the touring position before downhill skiing begins. The locking element is pre-configured to block heel holder entry when the brake is engaged, preventing accidental activation. The user must deliberately release the brake lock and move the locking element to enable boot entry, ensuring safety is maintained until intentionally changed.
2Ease of operation
If the ski brake is released to allow ski boot entry for downhill skiing, then ease of operation is improved, but uncontrolled ski movement may occur during falls or detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ski brake and the heel holder. When the ski brake is released for downhill skiing, the locking element moves to a position that allows boot entry while maintaining awareness of the brake state. In the event of a fall or detachment, the system state provides feedback about brake engagement, enabling appropriate response to prevent uncontrolled movement.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent ski boot entry when brake is engaged, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is merged with the existing ski brake mechanism rather than being a completely separate system. The locking element utilizes the brake's positional states (engaged/disengaged) to control heel holder access. This integration allows the safety function to be achieved while minimizing additional complexity by reusing the brake mechanism's inherent movements and positions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Heel holder for a touring ski binding, comprising a housing structure (3) that can be connected to a ski via a base structure (2), a ski brake (4) with at least one braking element (4a) that is adjustable between a contact position in which movement of the ski on a surface is possible and a braking position in which it brakes movement of the ski on the surface, an automatic mechanism (6) that is pivotably connected to the housing structure (3), and a locking element (5) that can be moved from a first position or entry position in which entry with a ski boot into the heel holder (1) for a descent is possible, to a second position or locking position in which entry with the ski boot into the heel holder (1) is blocked.