Touring Ski Binding Climbing Aid Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touring ski bindings have limited and laborious height adjustments for climbing aids, which can be dangerous and time-consuming, especially in challenging terrain, and often result in unexpected adjustments that compromise skier safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A touring ski binding with an adjustable climbing aid that uses electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators, controlled externally for convenient and reliable height adjustments, allowing the skier to set a specific slope or driving situation easily and safely, with features like a movement conversion arrangement and locking mechanism for space-saving design and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the climbing aid height is adjusted manually using known mechanisms, then the height can be changed between predetermined levels, but the adjustment process is laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electrical actuator system. A motor-driven screw mechanism or linear actuator automatically positions the climbing aid at the desired height when the skier selects a preset value, eliminating the need for manual cranking or complex mechanical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preset height values stored in memory that are prepared in advance. When the skier needs adjustment, the system automatically retrieves and executes the pre-programmed height setting, eliminating the need for real-time calculation or manual measurement during the adjustment process.
2Loss of time
If automatic height adjustment is implemented based on slope detection, then time loss and inconvenience are avoided, but the constant automatic change creates a feeling of insecurity and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines dynamic and static elements by allowing the climbing aid height to be dynamically adjustable through preset selections while maintaining a fixed, reliable position once selected. The system transitions from static predetermined levels to dynamically selectable presets, giving the skier control while maintaining stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a display element that provides visual feedback to the skier about the current height setting and available preset options. This feedback mechanism confirms the selected setting to the skier, eliminating uncertainty and creating a sense of control and reliability during the adjustment process.
3Ease of operation
If the actuating element is arranged in the heel area for climbing aid adjustment, then the climbing aid function is achieved, but the skier must perform uncomfortable movements to reach and actuate the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuating element from its traditional location in the heel area and relocates it to the front binding part or ski pole. This separation allows the skier to operate the climbing aid height adjustment using natural hand or foot movements without requiring uncomfortable twisting or reaching motions toward the heel area.
4Reliability
If multiple binding parts are moved for release in dangerous situations, then safety is improved, but the device complexity and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the binding release function into independent controllable parts. The front and rear binding parts can be released separately or simultaneously based on the specific situation, allowing targeted safety responses rather than requiring movement of all binding components. This modular approach reduces the complexity of coordinating multiple moving parts while maintaining safety effectiveness.
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
Enables comfortable, quick, and reliable height adjustments of the climbing aid, reducing the risk of accidents and saving time, as the skier can set the desired height immediately, ensuring safety and efficiency during skiing.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating element (42) is formed by a piston-cylinder arrangement (44) with two hydraulically connected chambers (52, 54)
Implementation Method 2
two hydraulically connected chambers (52, 54), in particular with the aid of a hydraulic line (56a-56e)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention provides a climbing aid (12) for a touring ski binding (100) of a ski (16), comprising a support section (26) having a support surface (20) facing away from the ski for the heel section of a ski boot (110) or a boot plate, an adjusting element (42; 42"; 221) with a base part (46; 46"; 224) to be attached to the ski or the ski binding and a moving part (48; 51"; 220) movable relative thereto, and a motion conversion arrangement (18, 30) which converts the movement of the moving part (48; 51") of the adjusting element (42; 42") into a movement of the support section (26) so that the height of the support surface (20) above the ski (16) changes, and/or a locking arrangement (204) which locks the movement of the moving part (220) of the The actuating element (221) is converted into a locking or unlocking of the climbing aid, so that a set height of the support surface (20) above the ski (16) is locked or unlocked.