Ski Binding Front Unit with Wide Closing Actuation Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ski binding front units have a narrow contact surface, making it difficult for users to correctly align their ski boots, especially on inclined terrain, which can lead to the ski boot tilting and improper coupling with the binding.
Innovation Solution
The front unit features a wider contact surface on the closing section, which serves as a guide for the user to correctly align the ski boot, reducing the likelihood of the boot tilting and ensuring proper coupling with the binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closing actuation section has a narrow width (about 10 mm or less), then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the ski boot cannot be correctly aligned on inclined terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The closing actuation section is extended in the width direction (lateral dimension) to provide a larger contact surface. This dimensional change allows the user's foot to be properly aligned and supported laterally, preventing tilting on inclined terrain while maintaining the simple mechanical structure of the binding.
2Ease of operation
If the closing actuation section is widened in the ski width direction, then the ease of operation is improved by providing better alignment guidance, but the area of the stationary object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing actuation section is widened locally at the contact area where the user's foot interacts with the binding. This localized dimensional change provides the necessary alignment guidance and support surface without proportionally increasing the entire binding structure's area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a front unit (10) for a ski binding, in particular for a touring binding, wherein the front unit (10) is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, comprising a base plate (12) with a fastening arrangement (14) for attachment to a ski, two lateral bearing elements (16a, 16b) which are arranged on a ski transverse axis extending substantially orthogonally to a ski longitudinal axis and parallel to a ski plane and which are configured to engage lateral counter-bearing elements of a ski boot in order to hold the ski boot pivotable about the ski transverse axis, wherein the bearing elements (16a, 16b) have a distance in the closed position of the front unit (10) which is designed for engagement with the counter-bearing elements, and have a distance in the open position of the front unit (10) which is greater than in the closed position.so that the ski boot can be inserted between the bearing elements (16a, 16b) or removed from the front unit (10), and a movement device (18a, 18b, 26, 28) for moving the bearing elements (16a, 16b) between the open position and the closed position of the front unit (10), wherein the movement device (18a, 18b, 26, 28) has a closing actuation section (30) whose actuation causes a movement of the bearing elements (16a, 16b) from the open position to the closed position, wherein a width b of the closing actuation section (30) in a ski width direction orthogonal to the ski longitudinal axis is at least about 15 mm, preferably at least about 20 mm, more preferably at least about 25 mm.