Ski Binding Suspension with Constant Force Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ski binding systems fail to effectively absorb and distribute forces during skiing, particularly vertical loads and fore-aft torques, leading to injuries such as ACL tears, tibial plateau bruising, and back problems due to their rigid design and lack of flexibility, which concentrates force on the knee joint.
Innovation Solution
A spring and lever absorption system is integrated into the ski binding system, featuring a low-profile plate with nonlinear springs that allow rotation and vertical movement, providing constant force counteraction to excessive loads and mitigating high-frequency vibrations, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rigid ski bindings are used, then structural strength and stability are maintained, but force concentration on the knee joint increases leading to injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system is divided into multiple functional components: a rigid base plate for structural strength, flexible spring elements for force absorption, and a lever mechanism for motion control. This segmentation allows different parts to handle different aspects of force management, with the springs specifically targeting knee force concentration while the base plate maintains overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nonlinear spring elements that change their stiffness parameter dynamically based on applied load. During normal skiing, the springs remain relatively stiff for stability, but under injurious loads they soften to absorb excess force. This parameter change allows the system to maintain strength while reducing harmful force concentration on the knee joint.
2Ease of operation
If rigid boot-ski interface is used, then control and responsiveness are improved, but injury risk from force transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The binding system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adaptive interface. The spring elements and lever mechanism allow the binding to adjust its stiffness and motion characteristics in real-time based on skiing conditions and applied forces. This dynamics enables the system to maintain control during normal operation while automatically reducing force transmission during injurious events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spring elements and lever mechanisms as intermediary components between the boot and ski. These intermediaries decouple the direct rigid force transmission path, allowing the system to filter harmful forces while preserving control. The springs act as force-absorbing mediators, and the lever provides motion-mediated control, together reducing injury risk without sacrificing responsiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If force absorption mechanisms are added, then injury mitigation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The spring elements serve both as force absorption mechanisms and as part of the binding's structural framework. The lever mechanism simultaneously provides motion control and acts as a force distribution element. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining effective injury mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding system incorporates self-regulating force absorption through the nonlinear spring characteristics and lever geometry. The system automatically adjusts its force absorption characteristics based on the magnitude of applied loads without requiring external control systems or complex mechanisms. This self-service approach provides effective injury mitigation while avoiding the complexity of actively controlled systems.
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
The system effectively absorbs injurious loads, reducing the risk of ACL, tibial plateau, and back injuries by distributing forces more evenly and providing a buffer against sudden impacts, while maintaining normal skiing performance during non-injurious conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of constant force spring linkages between the top plate and the bottom plate include a constant force spring linkage between the toe end and the bottom plate, and a constant force spring linkage between the heel end and the bottom plate, such that each of the constant force spring linkages each have an opposed pair of deformable members for exerting a counterforce to vertical displacement forces
Implementation Method 2
each of the constant force spring linkages each have an opposed pair of deformable members for exerting a counterforce to vertical displacement forces between the top plate and the bottom plate for load mitigation
Data Source
AI summary
An impact absorbing ski binding interface device includes an elongated top plate having a toe end and a heel end adapted to engage a boot toe and a boot heel, respectively, and a bottom plate adapted to engage a ski, thereby securing the device between the boot and ski. A plurality of constant force spring linkages between the top plate and the bottom plate include a constant force spring linkage between the toe end and the bottom plate, and a constant force spring linkage between the heel end and the bottom plate, such that each of the constant force spring linkages have an opposed pair of deformable members for exerting a counterforce to vertical displacement forces between the top plate and the bottom plate for load mitigation.