Ski Binding Toe Piece Composite Frame

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ski touring bindings face challenges in providing adequate support and release mechanisms for uphill and downhill phases, with a need for reduced wing size, lighter weight, simplified design, and limited deformation during force transmission.

Innovation Solution

A toe piece design featuring a metallic frame with a plastic tip, allowing for sufficient rigidity and sliding, incorporating a side release mechanism and pivotally mounted wings to accommodate different skiing phases, while using a metal frame for attachment and a plastic tip for reduced friction and improved release characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a plastic casing is used for the toe piece, then lateral release is facilitated due to reduced friction, but rigidity is insufficient leading to deformation under lateral forces during ascent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral releaseVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The toe piece combines two materials with complementary properties: a plastic casing (POM or similar) that provides low friction for lateral release, and a metallic insert that provides rigidity and resistance to deformation. The metal insert is embedded within the plastic casing, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves both ease of release and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the wing structure is made massive to increase rigidity, then deformation is reduced, but weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverigidityVSAvoidwing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wing uses a composite construction with a metallic insert embedded in the plastic casing. The metal provides the necessary rigidity with minimal mass, while the plastic provides structural continuity and low-friction surfaces. This allows the wing to be sufficiently rigid without being massive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic insert is strategically positioned only in the critical areas where rigidity is needed (such as the connection regions and force transmission paths), rather than making the entire wing massive. This localized reinforcement provides strength where required while minimizing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the connection between pivot axis and attachment mechanism is made rigid, then shoe hold is improved during ascent, but deformation of force transmission elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshoe holdVSAvoidforce transmission stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection elements use the same composite approach: metal inserts embedded in plastic casings. The metal provides rigid force transmission paths that prevent deformation under load, while the plastic provides structural continuity and accommodates minor misalignments. This ensures both reliable shoe hold and stable force transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 enhances rigidity for uphill support, facilitates lateral release, reduces wing size and weight, and simplifies the structure, ensuring effective force transmission and safety during both ascent and descent phases.

Implementation Method 1

Thanks to the plastic toe, the coefficient of friction at the level of contact with the top of the front part of the boot is reduced, which means that the release characteristics of the toe piece are not degraded.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

Thanks to the metal frame, the attachment means remain in contact with the boot when the latter is in engagement with the stop configured for climbing. Indeed, this rigidity makes it possible to limit the variation in position of the attachment means with respect to the chassis during use of the stop in the ascent phase.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRigidity:

Data Source

PatentEP3184156B1Ski binding

Publication Date: 2019.01.30 SALOMON SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

Front stop (1) of a binding for a boot on a board (9) comprising: - a body (2); - two wings (3, 4), each wing being pivotally mounted on the body about a substantially vertical axis (Z37, Z47); - an angular return mechanism (5) acting on the rotation of the wings; each wing (3) comprising: - a lateral interface surface (352) with a front part of the boot; - a horizontal interface surface (341) with a front part of the boot; - an attachment means (312) adapted to cooperate with a front lateral part of the boot so as to allow the boot to rotate about an axis substantially transverse (Y11) to the stop; - an actuating member (38) cooperating with the angular return mechanism (5); - a pivot element (37) defining the axis of rotation (Z37) about which the wing pivots relative to the body (2);- a chassis (31) comprising a first fixing element for the attachment means (312) and a second fixing element (3131, 3141) for the pivot element (37), the first and second fixing elements being rigidly connected; The stop is characterized in that the chassis (31) is metallic and the horizontal interface surface (341) is defined by a plastic end piece (34).