Ski Binding Toe-Piece with Lateral Walls to Block Snow
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski mountaineering bindings' toe-pieces face issues with snow accumulation between the joint and the ski, which can compact and obstruct the correct functioning of the binding.
Innovation Solution
The toe-piece design includes a first spring closed by the first jaw and the first portion of joint, with lateral walls that flank and partially close the gap between these components, reducing snow passage and accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the joint structure is open and accessible, then the mechanism is simple and easy to manufacture, but snow can pass between components and accumulate causing obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a cover element that acts as a protective shell over the joint mechanism. This cover has openings that allow the spring to pass through and the mechanism to function, while simultaneously preventing snow from entering and accumulating between the moving parts of the joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element serves as an intermediary between the joint mechanism and the external environment (snow). It mediates by allowing necessary mechanical movement through its openings while blocking harmful snow particles from reaching the internal components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lateral walls are added to close the gap, then snow passage is limited, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is merged with the existing base structure of the toe-piece. Rather than adding separate lateral walls as distinct components, the cover is integrated into the base, forming a unified structure that reduces overall device complexity while still providing snow protection.
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 effectively minimizes snow accumulation, ensuring the toe-piece functions correctly by limiting snow passage and preventing it from compacting and obstructing the binding.
Implementation Method 1
first elastic means (51) which comprise a first spring (51) interposed between the first jaw (11) and the first portion of joint (41)
Implementation Method 2
lateral walls that rise from the base flank both frontally and posteriorly the first jaw, the first portion of joint, the second portion of joint and the second jaw in such a measure as to at least limit the passage of snow
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~17
AI summary
A toe-piece of a ski binding (1) for ski (30) mountaineering, comprising: a base (2); a first jaw (11); a second jaw (12); an activating lever (3) which is rotatably coupled to the base (2); a joint (4) which is activatable by the activating lever (3) and which comprises: a first portion of joint (41) which is connected to the first jaw (11); and a second portion of joint (42) which is connected to the second jaw (12) and which is coupled to the first portion of joint (41); a first spring (51) interposed between the first jaw (11) and the first portion of joint (41). The first jaw (11) and the first portion of joint (41) are telescopically coupled to one another. The first spring (51) is enclosed by the first jaw (11) and by the first portion of joint (41). A toe-piece of a ski binding (1), comprising: a first lateral wall (71) which is flanked to the first jaw (11) and to the first portion of joint (41); a second lateral wall (72) which is flanked to the second jaw (12) and to the second portion of joint (42); a third lateral wall (73) which is arranged posteriorly of the first lateral wall (71) and of the second lateral wall (72), and which is flanked to the first jaw (11), to the first portion of joint (41), to the second portion of joint (42) and to the second jaw (12).