Ski Touring Heel Unit with Integrated Climbing Aid Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touring ski binding systems have complex activation and deactivation processes for climbing aids, making it tedious to switch between modes, especially in changing terrain, and often require lifting the ski boot to deactivate the climbing aid, which is uncomfortable on steep terrain.

Innovation Solution

A heel piece device with a receiving shell and pretensioning mechanism that includes a blocking means, allowing for easy switching between initial and latching positions without the need to lift the heel part of the ski boot, providing a climbing aid without additional components and ensuring secure support and easy transition between modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional climbing aid systems are used, then climbing function is provided, but activation and deactivation processes are complex and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation and deactivation of climbing aidVSAvoidcomplexity of switching process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the climbing aid function with the heel piece structure itself. The heel piece can be positioned in a first position where it serves as a climbing aid, and a second position where it provides downhill support. This integration eliminates the need for separate climbing aid components and simplifies the switching mechanism to merely moving the heel piece between two positions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heel piece is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a climbing aid in the first position and provides downhill binding support in the second position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated climbing aid components, simplifying the overall system while maintaining both climbing and downhill capabilities, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and functional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional climbing aid systems are used, then climbing support is provided, but additional components are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclimbing aid functionalityVSAvoidnumber of additional components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the climbing aid function into the existing heel piece structure. The heel piece itself is designed to provide climbing support when positioned in the first position, eliminating the need for separate climbing aid components. This integration maintains climbing functionality while reducing the total number of components in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heel piece is designed as a universal component that performs both climbing aid and downhill binding functions. By making the heel piece multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated climbing components, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional climbing aid systems are used, then climbing assistance is provided, but boot must be lifted to deactivate which is uncomfortable on steep terrain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeactivation of climbing aidVSAvoiduser discomfort on steep terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the climbing aid and downhill support functions into a single heel piece that can be easily repositioned. The heel piece includes a movable element that can be shifted between a first position for climbing and a second position for downhill support. This integration allows users to switch between modes by simply moving the heel piece without lifting the boot, eliminating the harmful factor of user discomfort on steep terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heel piece incorporates a movable element that can dynamically switch between two positions: a first position where the heel piece provides climbing assistance, and a second position where it provides downhill support. This dynamic repositioning capability allows users to easily transition between climbing and downhill modes without lifting the boot, significantly improving ease of operation and reducing user discomfort on varying terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3195907B1Heel unit for a ski touring binding

Publication Date: 2019.03.20 STEINKE MARKUS

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AI summary

Heel piece device (1) for a touring ski binding, comprising a heel piece element (10), wherein the heel piece element (10) comprises a receiving cup (12) for receiving the heel part of a ski boot and a pretensioning device (14) for pretensioning the heel piece device (1) against a ski boot, and wherein the heel piece device (1) is switchable between a starting position for receiving or releasing the ski boot and a locking position for holding the ski boot, wherein the heel piece device (1) comprises a locking means (20) by means of which the heel piece device (1) is lockable in the starting position, wherein the locking means (20) is switchable between a locking position and a non-locking position.