Height-Adjustable Ski Binding Footplate Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski binding height-adjustable support arrangements are either overly complex and prone to failure or lack continuous height adjustment, compromising stability and actuation reliability.

Innovation Solution

A structurally simplified support arrangement where the adjusting spindle is rotatably held on the base plate and connected via a cardan joint to an adjusting bolt, allowing only rotary motion for height adjustment, with the slide axially guided on the spindle for central guidance and enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a height-adjustable support arrangement with a carriage and adjusting screw is used, then continuous height adjustment is enabled, but the adjusting mechanism becomes overly complex and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous height adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a control element for initiating adjustment, a transmission element (lever arm) for amplifying and directing motion, and a slide element for executing the height adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining continuous adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lever arm acts as an intermediary between the control element and the slide. It translates and amplifies the small rotational motion of the control element into the larger linear displacement required for height adjustment, eliminating the need for complex threaded mechanisms while enabling continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If lateral guide webs are used to guide the carriage, then stability is provided, but the adjusting screw must tilt and require wobbling movement to compensate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism stabilityVSAvoidadjusting screw actuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements are designed to be dynamically adaptable, allowing slight adjustments in their orientation and position during the adjustment process. This dynamic capability enables the guide elements to accommodate the tilted position of the lever arm throughout its range of motion, maintaining stability while facilitating smooth operation without forcing the operator to compensate for rigid constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the slide is guided in lateral guide webs at an angle to the touring plate, then vertical adjustment is achieved, but the guide structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical height adjustmentVSAvoidguide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements utilize a combination of lateral and vertical dimensions to achieve height adjustment. By arranging guide elements that extend in both lateral and vertical directions, the mechanism achieves vertical adjustment functionality while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the need for complex angled guide webs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides a stable and compact mechanism with reliable actuation, enabling continuous height adjustment and improved tipping stability under load, facilitating adaptation to different ski boot sizes.

Implementation Method 1

the adjusting spindle is connected via a cardan joint to an adjusting bolt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCardan joint: Gimbal

Data Source

PatentEP2886170B1Safety ski binding with height-adjustable footplate
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 TYROLIA TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP2886170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2886170B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2886170B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Safety ski binding with a toe piece (1) to which a height-adjustable support arrangement (8) for the front part of the sole of a ski boot is assigned, wherein the support arrangement (8) has a slider (9) mounted on a base plate (5) that is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the ski and simultaneously in the vertical direction, the position of which is adjustable by means of an adjusting spindle (15) oriented in the longitudinal direction of the ski and extending at an acute angle (α) to the longitudinal direction of the ski. The adjusting spindle (15) is rotatably held on the base plate (5), is directly operatively connected to the slider (9) and is connected via a cardan joint (19) to an adjusting bolt (20), which extends at an obtuse angle (β) to the adjusting spindle (15) and is also rotatably held on the base plate (5).