Ski Binding Height-Adjustable Plate Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ski bindings either lack the necessary touring properties or compromise downhill skiing performance, failing to provide a balance between stability and adjustability for freeriding techniques that require both touring and alpine skiing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A ski binding with a height-adjustable partial plate and a lever mechanism that allows for locking and unlocking of the plate, featuring front and rear locking elements arranged within the binding area to maintain power transmission and flexibility, enabling both pivoting for touring and stability for alpine skiing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the plate is made relatively stiff to have sufficient strength for alpine skiing and prevent tipping over, then strength and stability are improved, but tipping rigidity decreases and power transmission is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system is divided into separate functional components: a stiff plate for alpine skiing stability and a separate touring mechanism with locking elements. This segmentation allows the plate to be optimized for strength while the locking mechanism provides the necessary rigidity control, resolving the contradiction between plate strength and power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding system transitions from a static stiff plate design to a dynamic system with movable locking elements that can adapt between locked and unlocked states. This allows the system to provide both the strength needed for alpine skiing and the flexibility needed for power transmission during touring modes.
2Reliability
If locking elements are positioned within the binding area between front sole holder and rear heel holder, then power transmission is improved, but the plate requires greater stiffness which reduces tipping rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the binding system are given different mechanical properties: the plate is made stiff for alpine skiing stability, while the locking elements are positioned strategically within the binding area to provide localized reinforcement for power transmission without requiring the entire plate to be excessively stiff, thus maintaining tipping rigidity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the plate is fixed on the ski with multiple locking elements, then stability for alpine skiing is improved, but the ability to pivot for touring is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system uses dynamic locking elements that can transition between locked and unlocked states. When locked, the system provides maximum stability for alpine skiing; when unlocked, it allows the plate to pivot freely for touring. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can lock securely for alpine skiing stability and unlock to allow pivoting for touring. The same binding structure with its adjustable locking elements serves both alpine and touring purposes, achieving multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between stability and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Ski binding suitable for alpine skiing as well as ski touring, with a plate (5) pivotably arranged upwards in the front area about an axis (6; 27) lying transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski, on which the front sole holder assembly (2) and the rear heel holder (3) for holding a ski boot or touring boot are attached, the plate (6; 27) being able to be fixed in its rear area to the abutment attached to the ski by means of at least one locking element (9; 28), wherein the locking element(s) is or are arranged in front of or in the area of the rear sole holder (3), characterized in that the front sole holder assembly (2) is assigned a height-adjustable support assembly (31) for the front area of the boot sole.