Ski Binding Heel Piece With Integrated Brake Mount for Low Stance Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Freeride ski bindings have a high stance height due to the pivoting mounting of the ski brake on the footplate, which slows down turn initiation and reduces edge pressure, negatively affecting skiing performance.
Innovation Solution
A heel piece design for ski bindings that reduces stance height by pivotally mounting the brake levers directly to the base plate, eliminating the need for a separate footplate, and incorporating a base body that is longitudinally adjustable relative to the base plate, with a compact and lightweight construction using a plastic base plate and metal reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ski brake is pivotally mounted on the footplate with the base body slidable relative to the base plate, then the brake can be positioned above the ski underside, but the stance height increases to approximately 24 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the footplate function into the base plate itself, eliminating the separate footplate component. The base plate directly forms the contact surface for the ski boot heel and pivotally mounts the brake levers, combining multiple functions (footplate support, brake mounting, base plate structure) into a single integrated component. This integration reduces the overall height stack and achieves a stance height of 6-15 mm.
2Ease of operation
If a separate footplate is used to mount the brake levers, then the brake can be positioned above the ski, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate footplate component by integrating its functions directly into the base plate. The base plate now serves as both the structural base plate and the footplate that mounts the brake levers, reducing the component count and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining the same functional capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the base body is made separately from the base plate with longitudinal adjustability, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements longitudinal adjustability through a dynamic mechanism where the base body can be shifted relative to the base plate along the ski length direction. This is achieved through guide sections on the base plate that engage with the base body, allowing controlled movement and positioning adjustment. The mechanism provides adaptability for different skier preferences while maintaining a relatively simple construction that can be manufactured separately and assembled.
Data Source
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AI summary
Heel part (1) for a ski binding, wherein the heel part (1) comprises: • a base plate (10) adapted to be attached to a ski top (3) of a ski (2), for example by screwing it on, • a base body (20) attached to the base plate (10) which pivotably supports a heel holder (30), and • a ski brake (40) with two brake levers (41, 42), characterized in that • the base plate (10) pivotably supports the brake levers (41, 42) and forms a contact surface (11) for the sole (51) of a ski boot (50).