Cross-Country Ski Binding With Opposed Hooks for Secure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross-country ski bindings are heavy, complex, and prone to unexpected release due to mechanical complexity and the need for significant lever action, compromising reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cross-country ski binding with a mechanism that allows hooks to pivot around a vertical axis, featuring two protruding portions that move in opposite directions to securely engage and disengage the boot, incorporating a simplified design with a rotating plate and return mechanism for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wide hook design is used to securely engage the boot axis, then engagement reliability is improved, but weight and mechanism complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is divided into two separate hooks instead of one wide hook. Each hook independently engages with the boot axis, distributing the engagement function across multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex wide hook structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are designed to move in a longitudinal direction along the ski rather than rotating horizontally. This vertical/longitudinal movement dimension simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the need for complex horizontal rotation while maintaining secure engagement capability.
2Ease of operation
If a lever mechanism is used to retract hooks for boot release, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical complexity and risk of unexpected release increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex lever arm mechanism is removed entirely. Instead, the user directly manipulates the hooks themselves to retract and release them, eliminating the intermediary lever component that added complexity and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are designed to be manually retracted and released directly by the user without requiring a separate lever mechanism. The boot release function is performed self-contained by the hooks themselves, reducing overall system complexity and improving reliability.
3Ease of operation
If return means are used to automatically return hooks to engaged position, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of unexpected release increases when vertical force exceeds return mechanism force
Solution Approach 1:
The return means mechanism is removed from the design. The hooks remain in whatever position they are placed, eliminating the automatic return function that could fail when vertical forces exceeded the return mechanism's capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that the hooks may need manual repositioning rather than relying on a complex return mechanism that could fail. This simpler, more robust approach prioritizes reliability over automatic return convenience.
4Ease of operation
If a mechanism with significant lever arm is used to move hooks by knob rotation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The knob rotation mechanism with significant lever arm is completely removed. The hooks are designed to be manipulated directly by hand, eliminating the need for any rotational conversion mechanism or lever arm.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a knob to indirectly move the hooks through mechanical conversion, the design allows direct manual manipulation of the hooks themselves. This inverted approach simplifies the mechanism by removing the intermediary conversion system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Binding (1) for cross-country skiing to receive a boot equipped with a connecting element, said binding comprising a base including a receiving portion (15,16) configured to receive said connecting element, and a retaining element (17,18) movable between an engaged position in which it prevents the exit of said connecting element from the receiving portion, and a retracted position, in which the receiving portion is open to allow the insertion and removal of said connecting element into the receiving portion, the retaining element being carried by a mechanism (50) allowing its rotation about a vertical axis (Z), the retaining element comprising two protruding portions (62, 64) oriented in opposite directions, arranged to cover the connecting element (46) when the retaining element is in the engaged position, such that said protruding portions (62, 64) are moved in opposite directions between the engaged and retracted positions.