Ski Touring Heel Unit with Independent Spring Entry Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touring ski bindings face issues with inconsistent engagement stability and reliability due to varying ski deflection, requiring longer coupling pins that lead to increased wear and higher release forces, making them difficult to use, especially for sporty driving styles.
Innovation Solution
A heel unit with adjustable coupling pins and a separate spring mechanism for step-in force, independent of the release force, allowing for easy transition between walking and downhill positions without additional handles, and featuring a shoe control section to facilitate entry without additional force requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling pins are made longer to compensate for ski deflection, then the reliability of engagement is improved, but the wear on the coupling pins increases and the release force becomes higher
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the coupling mechanism into two independent functional parts: coupling pins for engagement and a separate spring mechanism for step-in force. This segmentation allows the coupling pins to be shorter while maintaining reliable engagement, as the spring mechanism independently provides the necessary step-in force without relying on pin length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of coupling pin length to be shorter than conventional designs, while compensating for the reduced length by introducing a separate spring mechanism that provides the required step-in force. This parameter change reduces wear on the pins and lowers release force while maintaining engagement reliability.
2Reliability
If a high release force is used for sporty driving styles, then the reliability of engagement under high torque is improved, but the ease of operation during entry becomes worse
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the release force function (handled by the binding body and mounting to the ski) from the step-in force function (handled by the independent spring mechanism). This allows the binding to maintain high release force for sporty driving while the spring mechanism provides reduced step-in force for easier entry, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides a dynamic step-in force that is independent of the static release force setting. This allows the binding to be configured for high release forces when needed for sporty driving styles, while the spring mechanism ensures that entry remains easy by providing its own independent force, regardless of the release force setting.
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 solution provides reliable engagement, reduced wear, and easier use with high release forces, ensuring secure coupling and comfortable operation during transitions and high-torque situations.
Implementation Method 1
an entry mechanism having a spring means which provides an entry force independent of the release force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~9
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The heel unit (10) is adjustable between a walking position, which is aligned to engage a heel section of a tour ski shoe, and a downhill position, which is aligned to release the heel section of the tour ski shoe. A base part (12) is arranged for mounting on a touring ski, where a binding element (16) is arranged for coupling to heel section of the touring ski shoe. The binding element is prestressed in the downhill position by influence of a spring unit towards tour ski shoe.