Telemark Ski Binding Lock Assembly Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telemark ski binding systems lack a mechanism to efficiently switch between touring and skiing modes, with limited flexibility in boot positioning and compatibility with different boot sizes, and do not effectively manage the rotation of toe and heel retainers relative to the base.
Innovation Solution
A telemark ski binding assembly with an adjustable lock assembly that allows the toe retainer to pivot relative to the base in one configuration and be restrained in another, enabling synchronized rotation of the toe, heel, and rear case along different radii, accommodating various skiing modes and boot sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the toe retainer is allowed to pivot freely relative to the base, then the binding can accommodate touring mode and different boot positions, but the binding cannot provide secure locked engagement for skiing mode
Solution Approach 1:
The toe retainer is designed with dynamic pivoting capability relative to the base, allowing it to rotate between touring position and skiing position. The lock assembly dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states, enabling the system to adapt between skiing mode (locked, secure engagement) and touring mode (unlocked, free pivoting). This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both secure locked engagement when needed and free movement when required.
2Reliability
If the toe retainer is locked to prevent pivoting, then secure skiing mode is achieved, but the binding loses flexibility for touring mode and boot positioning adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The lock assembly provides dynamic control over the toe retainer's pivoting capability. When locked, the toe retainer is secured for reliable skiing engagement; when unlocked, it freely pivots for touring mode and boot positioning. The actuator mechanism enables smooth transitions between these states, maintaining both reliability when locked and adaptability when unlocked.
3Device complexity
If the binding uses a fixed pivot point for toe and heel retainers, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different boot sizes and skiing modes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The binding is segmented into distinct pivot points: a first pivot point for the toe retainer relative to the base, and a second pivot point for the heel retainer relative to the toe retainer. This segmentation allows independent adjustment and rotation of each component, enabling accommodation of different boot sizes and skiing modes while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
4Device complexity
If the toe retainer and heel retainer rotate around the same center point, then the mechanism is simplified, but it cannot provide proper telemark skiing geometry and boot positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The binding employs asymmetric pivot point positioning, with the first pivot point (toe retainer to base) and second pivot point (heel retainer to toe retainer) located at different positions. This asymmetric arrangement creates the proper telemark skiing geometry, allowing the boot to rotate through the correct arc for both downhill and climbing positions, ensuring accurate boot positioning and proper ski engagement geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A telemark ski binding has a toe retainer pivotally coupled to a base. A lock assembly of the binding has an actuator assembly. The lock assembly is adjustable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The binding further has a heel retainer rotatably coupled to the toe retainer. When the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration, the toe retainer is unlocked, and the toe retainer and heel retainer are both rotatable together substantially inline, relative to the base, around a first center point. When the lock assembly is in the locked configuration, the toe retainer is locked, and the toe retainer is restrained from rotating relative to the base. The heal retainer is rotatable relative to the toe retainer around a second center point. The second center point is at a different location from said first center point.