EP1273324B1 - Safety binding to hold a person or an object to another object - Google Patents

Abstract

The binding has a sensor (7) to determine incidents generated by the boot in the binding, and an evaluator for these incidents. If an incident occurs, which exceeds pre-set or pre-calculated limits, the connection between boot and ski is released. The connection is disconnected by simultaneous release of all holder devices (8,15) of the safety binding. All forces and accelerations caused by the boot in the binding are determined and evaluated in a micro control unit, which releases the holders.

Description

The present invention relates to a security binding with electronic Evaluation unit for holding a person or an object on another Object. This is always necessary when a person or an object is in the Normally it must be firmly connected to the other object, it out For safety reasons, however, it is necessary to use this connection in certain situations to solve. Exceeds, e.g. while skiing, the force acting on the binding from the shoe a set limit, the connection between shoe and binding is released.

In previously known safety binding systems with an electronic evaluation unit, for example WO 93/03803, the release of the shoe from the binding takes place through electromotive opening of the heel unit when the maximum permissible moments M _z or M _{y are} exceeded. The aim of WO 93/03803 is to make the tripping characteristic independent of acceleration forces acting on the release mechanism.
In conventional purely mechanical binding systems, the release of the shoe from the binding to the toe takes place by a rotational movement on the heel unit by a tilting, folding, pivoting or rotating movement. The release torque is set here by spring forces. The triggering of these safety binding systems only takes place when the set limit value is exceeded, but not during prolonged exposure to a sometimes already hazardous to health force below the limit value. The patent application DE19822953A1 already describes an adaptation of the release force as a function of different parameters of the driving style. This adjustment is done mechanically. Document FR-A-2 109 799 describes a delay in the initiation of the binding as a function of the detected acceleration quantity. To change the tripping delay actuators of the control technology with fixed proportional, integral or differential components are used. Trigger limits are not changed. The time of triggering is always delayed by the calculation methods described. A trip occurs when a preset value is reached The assessment and appropriate system response, for example, to a slow skip, is not possible with the described algorithms, since the acceleration is extremely low.
In document FR-A-2 109 799 and DE 20 49 994 A it is described that mechanical energy stored in springs opposite the opening movement has to be overcome to trigger the binding. The spring tension here serves to hold the binding or the shoe in the closed state. This force must always be overcome when opening the bond.
Publication US-A-5 743 550 describes the adaptation of the triggering thresholds of a binding by means of data tables, which means that fixed, preset triggering limit values are always accessed here.
Publication US-A-4 291 894 describes a binding with two fixed preset release limits, which, on the one hand, triggers when a fixed preset force is exceeded on the other when a predefined force-time product is exceeded. To trigger the bond, the spring force of a compression spring, which keeps the binding closed, must be overcome by a lifting magnet here.

The object of the invention is to protect the user of the binding improve, as well as relative movements of the object to be held in the bond to minimize. Furthermore, a mechanical decoupling of Entriegelelsystems to do so serve to make the triggering process independent from outside to the binding acting forces. An active support of the opening process is to be achieved. Basically, the reliability is due to a simpler mechanical Construction can be increased.

This task is with regard to their arrangement aspect by a security bond with the features of claim 1, solved.

In order to achieve this object according to the invention, sensors, e.g. Semiconductor strain gauges over the object to be held, e.g. a shoe in the Binding unit introduced force and beyond also the acceleration of e.g. by means of Semiconductor G sensors, detected. These signals are by a in this Scope of application novel method processed and evaluated. The sensor signals are prepared and provided to a digital evaluation unit. In contrast to hitherto known electronic binding systems e.g. WO 93/03803, in which only an evaluation of sensor signals with respect to the introduced absolute forces or Accelerations is described here according to the invention by means of the signals evaluated evaluation algorithms. The evaluation is based on preset parameter, e.g. to be adjusted dynamically for ski bindings i.e. there are situation-dependent triggering thresholds. So it takes place on the one hand Evaluation of the force acting on the user depending on time, size and Dynamics, on the other hand, the evaluation of the driving situation on the evaluation of Acceleration values.

DE19822953A1 describes a ski binding with a driving situation-dependent adaptation of the Release forces by a mechanical device. This adjustment is based on the Assumption that the athlete assumes a default attitude in typical driving and thus binding has higher triggering limits. In atypical driving situations, the opens Binding on the other hand easier. This solution does not take into account the actual driving dynamics, i.e. already in the state can be a template of the athlete and thus not the desired lower trigger limit act. Even in typical driving situations it comes to load changes on the binding, so that even in sporty driving a reduced Trigger limit may lead to an unwanted triggering of the bond, e.g. by Uneven ground. In contrast, in the inventive solution serves the Evaluation of the sensor signals to an exact picture of the respective driving situation to draw. Not only discrete-time individual values of the sensor signals are considered but also averaged values, or value sequences over a certain time interval considered. These values or value sequences are used to calculate the various evaluating sizes. For each of these sizes to be evaluated, a max. permissible Limit and determined in a suitable storage medium, e.g. parameterized an EEPROM.

This max. permissible limit values are adjusted downward depending on the driving situation. Of course, this adjustment is made automatically by the methods of Control technology. As a result, a much improved protection of the athlete is achieved. One Another economic advantage is that a single binding model all Skier types beginners to racers included. Another advantage according to the invention is that almost any external influences can specifically change the triggering behavior of the bond. Thus, e.g. at a Bike binding the rotational frequency of the pedals affect the triggering limits of the pedals.

A reduction in the energy consumption is achieved according to the invention by a cyclic Connection and disconnection of the sensors. Due to a sufficiently high polling frequency is a ensures safe operation. A further energy reduction is carried out according to the invention a constructive element which, for example, by twisting this element potential Energy stores. The application of energy takes place automatically in the production of the Operating condition of the binding. This element is also used for mechanical Decoupling the forces and accelerations acting on the triggering mechanism. Externally acting on the bond forces have no effect on the Tripping characteristic of the mechanics. Through the above energy saving measures there is the advantage that the availability duration of the energy storage used, For example, Li-ion batteries, is increased. For charging the accumulators can the battery compartments are simply removed and connected to a charger.

Another advantage of the solution according to the invention is that both front and also rear holding device is triggered with its own trigger element. The Triggered by an event generally at the front and rear Holder. The advantage is that a redundancy of the triggering mechanism given is. Despite these advantages achieved results in a very simple mechanical Construction of the Gesarntsystems. This leads to a cost-optimized product.

Simultaneous opening of several coupled safety bindings (Security binding group) through a triggering event on a binding According to the invention solved by two or more binding units by a Communication bus are connected. For example, in a snowboard binding a Exceeding the limit value on the holding device for the right foot triggering the cause right and left holding device.

In the type of attachment described in DE19822953A1 always finds an undesirable Relative movement of the shoe for binding by dynamic driving loads instead. The Relative movement, for example, of a shoe in the binding is inventively characterized excluded that the shoe holding devices in the operating mode positive and positive connected to the shoe. The shoe holding devices are in the operating mode anchored in a form-fitting manner to a central fixed component of the binding. In trigger mode If this connection is released, this results in a complete release of the shoe from the Binding. The structure of the binding found here also offers the greatest in driving situations dynamic loads an absolutely rigid fixation of the shoe in the binding. This guarantees the athlete an always defined position on the sports equipment and thus the greatest possible control over the same.

In previously known and common binding systems, the user is not Assistants are available to actively open the binding when triggered. This will be here solved by four spring elements per binding unit, which in the case of triggering release the energy stored in you and actively open the binding translationally. Moreover, the overall design is chosen so that, for example, the fall a skier's kinetic energy to support the translational Opening the bond contributes.

Fig.1: Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Bindung.

Fig.2: Draufsicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Bindung unter Weglassung von Batteriefach, vorderer Haltevorrichtung und hinterer Haltevorrichtung.

Fig.3: Vergrößerte Detailzeichnungen aus Fig.1 und Fig.2

Fig.4: schematische Darstellung der Elemente der vorderen Bindungseinheit in verschiedenen Ansichten.

Fig.5: schematische Darstellung der Elemente der hinteren Bindungseinheit in verschiedenen Ansichten.

Fig.6: Diagramme zur näheren Erläuterung der Auswertealgorithmen.

Fig.7: Blockdiagramm der elektronischen Auswerteeinheit.

Incidentally, advantages and expediencies of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims and the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. In particular, Figures 1-5 show in schematic form an arrangement in which the inventive principle of the safety bond was applied to a ski binding.
In detail:

1 shows a side view of a binding according to the invention.

2 shows a top view of a binding according to the invention omitting the battery compartment, front holding device and rear holding device.

3 enlarged detail drawings from Fig.1 and Fig.2

4: schematic representation of the elements of the front binding unit in different views.

Fig.5: schematic representation of the elements of the rear binding unit in different views.

6 shows diagrams for a more detailed explanation of the evaluation algorithms.

7 shows a block diagram of the electronic evaluation unit.

• Zentralblock   Pos.1
• Auswerteeinheit   Pos.1'
• Riegelzapfen   Pos.2
• Führungsschienen   Pos.3
• Vorderer Fixklotz   Pos.4
• Hinterer Fixklotz   Pos.4'
• Haltestift   Pos.5
• Vordere Führungsplatte   Pos.6
• Hintere Führungsplatte   Pos.6'
• Vorderer Torsionsstab mit Sensoraufnehmer   Pos.7
• Hinterer Torsionsstab mit Längenverstellung   Pos.7'
• Hinterer Sensoraufnehmer   Pos.7''
• Sensor   Pos.7'''
• Vordere Haltevorrichtung   Pos.8
• Batteriefach   Pos.9
• Feder   Pos.10
• Führungshülse   Pos.11
• Schablone   Pos.12
• Gegenlager   Pos.13
• Haken   Pos.14
• Hintere Haltevorrichtung   Pos.15
• Riegel   Pos.16
• Scharnier   Pos.17
• Verschlussplatte   Pos.18
• Aretierfeder   Pos.19
• Führungsstift   Pos.22
• Abstandsgeber   Pos.23
• Microcontrollereinheit (MCU)   Pos.24

The binding consists essentially of the following items.

• Central block Pos.1
• Evaluation unit Pos.1 '
• Locking pin Pos.2
• Guide rails Pos.3
• Front fixed block Pos.4
• Rear fixed block Pos.4 '
• Retaining pin Pos.5
• Front guide plate Pos.6
• Rear guide plate Pos.6 '
• Front torsion bar with sensor sensor Pos.7
• Rear torsion bar with length adjustment Pos.7 '
• Rear sensor receiver Pos.7 ''
• Sensor Pos.7 '''
• Front holding device Pos.8
• Battery compartment Pos.9
• Spring Pos.10
• Guide sleeve Pos.11
• Template Pos.12
• Counter bearing Pos.13
• Hook Pos.14
• Rear holding device Pos.15
• Bar Pos.16
• Hinge Pos.17
• Closing plate Pos.18
• Armed feather Pos.19
• Guide pin Pos.22
• Distance sensor Pos.23
• Microcontroller Unit (MCU) Pos.24

Mechanical basic structure:

Rear fixed block 4 'and front fixed block 4 are firmly connected to the ski. The Guide rails 3 are firmly anchored in the front fixed block 4, while a storage in rear fixed block 4 'allows axial movement. This allows an optimal bending line of the Ski. The central block 1 with locking pin 2 is fixed on the guide rails 3. in the Central block 1 is integrated, the electronic evaluation unit 1 ', and the Trigger mechanism and the display and adjustment unit. The front holding device 8 and the front guide plate 6 are above the front torsion bar with Sensoraufnehmer 7th firmly connected. Rear holding device 15 and rear guide plate 6 'are above the The rear guide plate 6 "is firmly connected closed state, via the front torsion bar with Sensoraufnehmer 7, detachable with connected to the central block 1. The rear guide plate 6 'is in the closed state, via the rear torsion bar with length adjustment 7 ', detachable with the central block 1 connected. The length adjustment of the binding to the shoe sole length via the Adjustment of the distance between central block and rear guide plate by means of Distance sensors 23. The mechanical fixation takes place at the slot of the rear Torsionsstabes with length adjustment 7 'instead.

Operating status:

Front guide plate 6 and rear guide plate 6 'with the associated Holding devices are on the guide rails 3 in the direction of the central block. 1 pushed. By this movement, the sleeves of the torsion bars 7 and 7 'on the Locking pin 2 out. In the locking pin 2 is a template 12. In the sleeves the torsion bars 7 and 7 'depending on a guide pin 22. By axial movement of the sleeves of the Torsion bars 7 and 7 'on the locking pin 2 follow the guide pins 22 of the template 12th and twist the torsion bars 7 and 7 '. The torsional energy is in the torsion bars. 7 and 7'stored. Upon reaching the end position, the trained as a hook 14 Ends of the sleeves of the torsion bars 7 and 7 'in corresponding abutment 13 in Central block 1. The arrangement is prevented by the retaining pins in order to prevent turning back 5 fixed. Due to the relative longitudinal movement of the guide plates 6 and 6 'to the central block. 1 the springs 10 are stretched. The hooks 14 prevent the tensioned springs 10 the Reopen the binding. In the operating state, the rear holding device 15 is in horizontal position. An integrated in hinge 17 spring endeavors the rear To bring holding device 15 in the entry position. To do this during operation too prevent the Aretierfeder 19 pushes the latch 16 in an anchoring of the rear Sensor transducer 7 ".

Triggering the binding:

The front torsion bar with Sensoraufnehmer 7 and the rear Sensoraufnehmer 7 ", carry the sensors 7 '' '. By a differentially small relative movement of the Holding devices 8 and 15 to the respective guide plates 6 and 6 'is a force introduced to the sensors 7 '' '. This force causes sensor output signals. The Sensor output signals are processed, fed to the evaluation unit 1 'and evaluated. If one of the criteria listed in points a.) - d.) (See below) is exceeded, the retaining pins 5 are actuated. This can e.g. done electromechanically. The fixation the torsion bars 7 and 7 'is thereby canceled, the hooks 14 jump out of their Counter bearings 13. The torsion bars 7 and 7 'relax and slide, forced through Springs 10, from the locking pins 2. The binding opens by longitudinal movement of the front and rear guide plate 6 and 6 'on the guide rails. 3

Boarding the skier in the binding:

To bring the binding from the operating state into entry position, the latch is the 16th from the anchorage of the rear sensor receiver 7 " Holding device 15 pivots upwards. The entry is now by trampling the rear holding device 15 with the shoe. When the end position is reached, the bolt slides 16 again in the anchorage on Sensoraufnehmer 7 ". The binding is located in Operating condition.

Length adjustment of the binding on the shoe sole length:

The length adjustment takes place via the rear guide plate 6 '. A slot in the back Torsionsstab 7 'allows a continuous adjustment to the shoe sole length. By means of two Clamping screws, the set length is fixed non-positively. The white space between Central block 1 and rear guide plate 6 'is inserted by Abstandsgebem 23 filled.

a.) Bewertung der Krafteinwirkung Fig.6 Diagramm a:

Zyklischer Vergleich der an den Sensoren gemessenen Werte mit einem voreingestellten Grenzwert. Bei Überschreiten des einstellbaren Kraftgrenzwertes A erfolgt die Auslösung der Bindung. Beispielsweise kann ein einzelner Sensorwert mit dem errechneten Auslösegrenzwert A verglichen werden. Dies stellt den einfachsten Fall dar. Es können aber auch Signale mehrerer Sensoren oder mehrere Signale eines Sensors oder eine beliebige Kombination davon zur Auswertung herangezogen werden.

b.) Bewertung der summierten Krafteinwirkung im Zeitintervall Δt Fig.6 Diagramm b:

Zyklischer Vergleich der an den Sensoren gemessenen Werte mit einem weiteren voreingestellten Grenzwert. Dieser Grenzwert stellt die maximal zulässige Impulsbelastung des Sportlers dar. Der wirkende Impuls wird als die Summe der eingeleiteten Kraft über ein Zeitintervall von der MCU errechnet. Bei Überschreiten des einstellbaren Impulsgrenzwertes B erfolgt die Auslösung der Bindung. Beispielsweise kann ein Folge einzelner Sensorwerte summiert werden. Das Ergebnis der Summation wird mit dem errechneten Auslösegrenzwert B verglichen.

c.) Bewertung der Differenzen der Krafteinwirkung im Zeitintervall Δt Fig.6 Diagramm c:

Zyklische Erfassung der an den Sensoren gemessenen Kraft bzw. Beschleunigung und die daraus errechnete Dynamik der eingeleiteten Kraft/Beschleunigung. Bei Überschreiten des einstellbaren Differenzengrenzwertes C erfolgt eine Auslösung der Bindung. Beispielsweise wird die Differenz zweier aufeinanderfolgender Messreihen, bestehend aus dem Mittelwert von je 5 Sensoreinzelmesswerten, errechnet. Übersteigt die Differenz den errechneten Grenzwert C erfolgt eine Auslösung der Bindung.

d.) Die Messwerte der Beschleunigungssensorik geben Aufschluss über die aktuelle

Fahrsituation (Stehen, moderates Fahren, forciertes Fahren, Rennfahren). Diese Information dient zur Anpassung der Grenzwerte A, B und C. Beispielsweise löst die Bindung im Stand schon bei einer relativ geringen statischen Kraft F aus, wohingegen diese Kraft bei forcierter Fahrweise noch keine Auslösung zur Folge hat. Ein eingestellter maximaler Grenzwert A wird durch die fahrsituationsabhängige Grenzwertanpassung nicht überschritten.

The electronic evaluation unit shown schematically in Figure 7 detects cyclically by sensors acting between shoe and binding forces in the form of electrical measurement signals. These are evaluated for their dynamics by means of a microcontroller unit (MCU) 24.

a.) Evaluation of the force effect Fig.6 Diagram a:

Cyclical comparison of the values measured at the sensors with a preset limit value. When the adjustable force limit A is exceeded, the binding is triggered. For example, a single sensor value can be compared with the calculated tripping limit value A. This represents the simplest case. However, it is also possible to use signals from a plurality of sensors or a plurality of signals from a sensor or any combination thereof for the evaluation.

b.) Evaluation of the summed force effect in the time interval Δt Fig.6 Diagram b:

Cyclical comparison of the values measured at the sensors with another preset limit value. This limit represents the maximum allowable impulse load of the athlete. The acting impulse is calculated as the sum of the introduced force over a time interval from the MCU. When the adjustable pulse limit B is exceeded, the binding is triggered. For example, a sequence of individual sensor values can be summed up. The result of the summation is compared with the calculated tripping limit B.

c.) Evaluation of the differences of the force effect in the time interval Δt Fig.6 Diagram c:

Cyclical recording of the force or acceleration measured at the sensors and the calculated dynamics of the introduced force / acceleration. When the adjustable difference limit value C is exceeded, the binding is triggered. For example, the difference between two successive measurement series, consisting of the mean value of 5 individual sensor readings, is calculated. If the difference exceeds the calculated limit value C, the bond is triggered.

d.) The measured values of the acceleration sensor give information about the current

Driving situation (standing, moderate driving, forced driving, racing). This information is used to adapt the limits A, B and C. For example, the bond in the state already triggers at a relatively low static force F, whereas this force does not yet trigger in forced driving. A set maximum limit value A is not exceeded by the driving situation-dependent limit value adaptation.

If the respectively set or calculated limit value is reached in cases a.) Or b.) or in the case of c.) an impermissibly high dynamic detected, so there is a triggering of Binding.

The execution of the invention is not limited to the aforementioned examples of ski or Snowboard bindings limited, but in a variety of variations for the different types of security bindings possible.

Claims (10)

1. A safety binding with the purpose to fix a person or a first object to another object, comprising

   a front clamping system (8) and a rear clamping system (15) with the release of the safety binding proceeding in a relatively longitudinal movement of the front and rear clamping system to the other object.
2. A safety binding according to claim 1 containing a Micro Controller Unit (MCU), with

   the binding being a ski binding or snowboard binding and that

   the skier/snowboarder skill classification of the safety binding is adjusted by software settings and that

   the release torque is also adjusted by software settings.
3. A safety binding according to claim 2, comprising

   a MCU which is dynamically adjusting the release thresholds by using the collected force measurements and acceleration measurements according to the driving situation.
4. A safety binding according to claim 1, comprising

   a torsion rod (7,7') which stores the energy necessary for the release of the clamping system, by twisting the said torsion rod.
5. A safety binding according to claim 4, comprising

   a twistlock (2) and a jig (12) which guide the bushing of the torsion rod (7, 7') when putting the safety binding into operation.
6. A safety binding according to one of the claims 4 and 5, comprising

   a clamping system (8,15) and a central block (1) which are positive locking during operating mode and thereby preventing a relative movement between the fixed person or first object and the other object.
7. A safety binding according to claim 1, comprising

   a mechanical device that decouples the release mechanism from forces acting contrary to the release.
8. A safety binding according to claim 7, with

   the mechanical device being a torsion rod (7,7')
9. A safety binding according to claim 1, comprising

   mechanical energy storing devices which actively support the opening of the binding in the release mode.
10. A safety binding according to claim 9, comprising

    springs (10) which by straining are provided with release support energy when putting the safety binding into operation.

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