Purpose of Fritschi Binding Spring

While skinning uphill last weekend, I heard something pop out of my binding and found that part of a spring had broken off just behind and underneath the toepiece.  A screw remained where it was fit through a plastic hole attached to the remaining part of the spring.  In looking at my other ski, I noticed the same thing had happened sometime previously on it also - I've been skiing on it without any noticeable problems, though.

I'm wondering if anyone knows the purpose of these springs?  They aren't attached to the DIN screws, so I don't think that is it.  Pictures show the sheared portion of the spring that remains screwed on the binding, and the part of the spring that came off with a hook on the end.

I took a look at my other binding (Fritschi Freeride) and there are holes where such a screw/ assembly could fit but nothing is there.

Thanks for any feedback - I can bring them into the shop but figured someone on here might know first.

Those springs are not really that important. They were meant to help the tail of the ski return to a useful position during a kick turn. (a little hard to explain but if you are standing flat and your heal is free and you lift your ski, if you have the springs - in theory - the tail of the ski will also come up parallel to the ground, without the springs just the toe of the ski comes up - or there is a noticeable angle). Freerides don't come with the spring, other Fritschi models do. You can buy replacement springs for like $10 I think and they install pretty easily.   Someone else can probably explain it better but no need to take your bindings to any shop. I've used Fritschis with and without the springs and I can't say I prefer one over the other.

I agree with Dustin and add.
That is the binding return spring.  One on each binding.  Very optional maybe the only good reason I could think is for side stepping which is better accomplished by locking heel.
other wise it adds weight and takes a tad more energy to lift boot when skinning.

I had a pair of Freerides before switching to Dynafit and both my springs snapped. I noticed zero difference in performance.

Great - thanks guys!

I actively recommend that people remove them. No one notices the benefit and it just adds resistance and weight to each step.