Ski Binding Locking Device Longitudinal Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski bindings for touring are limited in their ability to securely lock the carrier to the ski across various distances between the toe piece and heel piece, and they often require complex designs or adjustments to accommodate different ski boot sizes, making them cumbersome and inflexible.

Innovation Solution

A ski binding design featuring a locking device with a base part that can be displaced longitudinally on a guide rail attached to the ski, allowing for easy adjustment and secure locking at different distances between the binding jaws, using a row of fastening points and markings to facilitate alignment with specific ski boot sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the locking device is fixed at a specific position on the ski, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different ski boot sizes and distances between binding jaws

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different ski boot sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base part of the locking device is received within a recess in the ski, allowing it to be nested into the ski structure. This enables the locking device to be positioned at different locations along the ski while maintaining a compact integrated appearance, accommodating various boot sizes without adding external complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The base part is made displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the ski, transforming the locking device from a fixed to a dynamic positionable component. This allows adjustment to different distances between binding jaws while keeping the adjustment mechanism simple and integrated into the existing structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the carrier distance is adjusted for different boot sizes, then adaptability improves, but the climbing aid positioning becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment of carrier distanceVSAvoidsecure locking with climbing aid
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The climbing aid is made displaceable relative to the heel piece, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position along the longitudinal axis. This ensures that regardless of the carrier distance setting, the climbing aid can always be positioned correctly behind the heel piece for reliable locking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The climbing aid automatically positions itself relative to the heel piece through its displaceable connection, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms. The climbing aid self-adjusts to maintain proper positioning for secure locking across different binding configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex adjustment mechanism is used to accommodate different boot sizes, then adaptability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of adjustmentVSAvoidsimplicity of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The displaceable base part serves multiple functions: it adjusts the locking device position for different boot sizes, maintains proper climbing aid positioning, and integrates with the ski structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, simplifying operation while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2620188B1Ski bindings for touring
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 TYROLIA TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP2620188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2620188B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2620188B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The ski binding has a toe clamp and a heel clamp (4) arranged on a carrier (1), which is rotatably mounted about a transverse axis in a region of the toe clamp, where the distance between the toe clamp and the heel clamp is variable while maintaining the position of the heel clamp on the carrier. The carrier includes a climbing aid having a locking device (6) with a locking lever (14) mounted on a base part (8). The base part is fixedly connected to a ski at a support tube (3) and slidable in a longitudinal direction corresponding to a mutual spacing of the clamps with a guide rail (7).