Ski Brake Torsion-Spring Mechanism for Easier Pin Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski brakes require manual effort to press and hold the pedal against the spring force to lock the brake pins, making it cumbersome and inconvenient, especially when transitioning to a fixed position.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable locking bolt with torsion springs allows the locking lever to be raised and locked with minimal effort, using a ski pole or boot, followed by a pedal depression to secure the brake pins, eliminating the need for manual hand pressure during the locking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pedal is pressed down manually to lock the brake pins, then the brake pins are fixed to the side of the ski, but significant manual force is required against the spring element
Solution Approach 1:
The brake support automatically locks the brake pins to the side of the ski when the pedal is depressed by the boot, without requiring manual intervention. The system uses the boot's natural movement into the binding to trigger the locking action, making the brake pins secure themselves rather than requiring the user to apply force.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever acts as an intermediary between the pedal and the brake pins. When the pedal is depressed, the locking lever translates this motion into the locking action that secures the brake pins, mediating the force transmission and enabling automatic locking without direct manual pressure on the pedal.
2Reliability
If the pedal is held down by hand to actuate the locking lever, then the brake pins are secured, but continuous manual pressure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is pre-positioned and spring-loaded so that when the pedal is depressed by the boot, the locking action occurs automatically without requiring the user to maintain continuous pressure or perform multiple manual steps. The system is prepared in advance to lock when the pedal moves.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system automatically secures itself when the boot is inserted into the binding. The boot's movement into the toe piece and depression of the pedal triggers the locking mechanism, making the system self-securing rather than requiring continuous manual operation.
3Ease of operation
If the locking lever is raised manually, then the brake pins can be positioned, but significant hand force is needed to overcome spring resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever serves as a mechanical intermediary that amplifies the force from the pedal. When the pedal is depressed by the boot, the locking lever uses its lever arm and spring mechanism to translate this force into the motion needed to raise and lock the brake pins, reducing the direct hand force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever is spring-loaded and designed to move dynamically when actuated. The spring element stores and releases energy to assist in raising the locking lever, making the operation easier by using elastic energy rather than relying solely on manual force.
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 design enables easy and comfortable locking of brake pins by allowing the locking lever to be pivoted with minimal force, using a ski pole or boot, simplifying the operation and reducing manual effort.
Implementation Method 1
at least one torsion spring is arranged in such a way that in order to establish the fixed position of the brake mandrels, in a first phase with the pedal raised the locking lever can be raised while the locking bolt is also turned
Implementation Method 2
presses the pedal into the raised position by means of a spring element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Ski brake with two brake pins (6) which can be brought from a non-fixed position into a fixed position in which the brake pins (6) are held in a position to the side of the ski, further comprising a brake housing (4), a pedal (5), a lever-like brake support (7) which has a knob-like projection (7a), and a locking lever (8) which is rotatably mounted on the brake housing (4) and can be brought into a lowered and a raised position.The locking lever (8) is arranged on a locking bolt (11) which is rotatably mounted on the brake housing (4) and can be rotated to a limited extent relative to the locking lever (8), on which at least one torsion spring (14) is arranged in such a way that, in order to establish the fixed position of the brake pins (6), in a first phase with the pedal (5) raised, the locking lever (8) can be raised and in a second phase after the pedal (5) has been pressed down, the locking bolt (11) holds the brake support (7) via the knob-like projection (7a).