Ski Binding Lever Mechanism for Axial Shoe Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski and snowboard release bindings lack a simple and safe mechanism for adjusting the shoe-retaining unit in the axial direction, which complicates the process of accommodating different shoe sizes and ensuring proper pretensioning force.
Innovation Solution
A release binding mechanism featuring a lever that pivots about a longitudinal axis, with a lever arm that can be actuated vertically to move the shoe holding unit axially, utilizing a spring element and cam mechanism to automatically return to a locking position, and an adjustable push-on spring with a display system to indicate pretensioning force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional locking mechanism is used to fix the shoe holding unit axially, then the binding provides stable locking, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a lever component for activation, a locking element for engagement, and a spring element for return force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall adjustment operation while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic adjustable state through lever actuation. The spring element provides dynamic return force to automatically restore the locking position after adjustment, enabling quick and easy repositioning without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shoe holding unit is made adjustable for different shoe sizes, then adaptability improves, but the locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded to provide automatic return force to the locking position. This preliminary action ensures that after the lever is actuated to release the locking element, the mechanism automatically returns to a secure locked state, maintaining reliability while enabling adjustment for different shoe sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically return to its locked position through the spring element's stored energy, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service feature ensures consistent and reliable locking after each adjustment, maintaining security while providing adaptability for various shoe sizes.
3Extent of automation
If a lever mechanism with spring return is used, then automatic returning to locked position is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism is combined with the spring element and locking element into an integrated assembly where the spring is positioned to directly act on the lever's pivot point. This merging of components achieves automatic return functionality while minimizing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall mechanism structure.
4Ease of operation
If the lever arm is positioned transversely in rest position, then ease of actuation is improved, but the lever may interfere with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm is positioned in the transverse dimension relative to the binding's longitudinal axis in its rest position, allowing easy vertical actuation. The lever's path of motion is designed to clear other binding components during actuation, eliminating interference while maintaining operational ease through optimal spatial arrangement.
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
Facilitates easy and secure adjustment of shoe sizes, ensuring a safe and optimal pretensioning force without requiring tools, enhancing usability in ski rental settings and providing visual and tactile feedback for proper adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (7) arranged between the locking element (3) and the coupling element (6), which moves the lever (4) together with the locking element (3) automatically into the rest position, in which the locking element (3) is in the locking position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A release binding comprising a base structure, at least one shoe retention unit (1), in particular a heel retainer, a locking element (3) with a locking structure (3d), wherein the locking element (3) is axially immovable in engagement with a counter-locking structure relative to the base structure for fixing the shoe retention unit (1) in a locking position, and a lever (4) with which the locking structure (3d) can be moved from engagement to a release position in which the shoe retention unit (1) can be axially displaced on the base structure, wherein the lever (4) is pivotable about a pivot axis (S1) pointing in the longitudinal direction of the binding and has a lever arm (42) projecting at least substantially horizontally from the pivot axis (S1) in a transverse direction, which can be actuated in a vertical direction.