Device and method for recording the support pressure of a riding saddle, computer program product

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for recording the pressure exerted by a riding saddle on a riding animal and for determining and visualizing the pressure distribution. The invention also relates to a computer program product.

[0002] Such devices and methods are known from the prior art. For example, publication 10 2017 101 634 A1 describes a riding saddle and a method for monitoring a riding saddle. Up to nine pressure sensors are distributed around the saddle to determine the contact intensity or pressure acting at defined points. The pressure thus determined is then compared with a target value. The target value is determined as long as the riding saddle still has the optimal fit. However, this only detects any strain on the animal at the discrete measuring points. Overloading at other points cannot be detected.

[0003] Furthermore, a system and a method for measuring the pressure of a transport pad, i.e., a saddle, on an animal's back are known from publication DE 10 2013 105 052 A1. This requires an additional pressure-measuring mat, which must be positioned under the saddle during the measurement. However, its use restricts movement with the animal; the saddle cannot be used under all conditions, such as during show jumping. This limits its applications, and the measured values ​​remain incomplete, especially under high loads.

[0004] Publication DE 101 59 943 A1 also discloses a solution for a saddle pad to be laid separately (cf. Fig. 1, Bz. 4) with pressure sensors distributed across the surface of the saddle pad. The saddle pad covers the essential area where contact occurs between parts of the saddle (including the saddle flaps) and the animal. This allows (see summary) the determination of contact forces, including those exerted by the riding saddle, by connecting the sensors to an evaluation or display unit. The saddle pad must always be attached first to take a measurement and is often an obstacle to riding.

[0005] Document DE 102009045829 A1 describes a saddle and a device for determining the pressure distribution under the saddle on a horse's back, with a saddle pad, wherein the saddle pad has at least two pressure detection zones.

[0006] Numerous other such documents are known, including the solutions from the publications GB 2 536 791 A1, US 5 375 397 A, US 2014 / 0 253 337 A1, US 2017 / 0 336 273 A1 and DE 10 2007 030 583 A1.

[0007] The devices currently available are complex and not suitable for use by laypersons. They are poorly designed; in particular, the riding saddle is not adapted to the thickness of the measuring pad, is too thick and inflexible, and thus distorts the measurement results. They cause skin irritation because they are not breathable. Furthermore, they often do not use a surface measurement but only define individual measuring points. Whether a pressure peak occurs at these points is purely a matter of chance.

[0008] A significant disadvantage also stems from the fact that an additional measuring pad placed between the horse and the saddle only ever records the vector acting perpendicularly on the pad, which does not correspond to the actual pressure. In particular, a vertically acting vector is not recorded, so a considerable portion of the load remains unaccounted for.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to offer a device according to the preamble with which the bearing surface of the riding saddle on the riding animal and the pressure acting thereon can be determined permanently under all conditions of use of the riding saddle and without additional measuring devices being attached.

[0010] The problem is solved by a saddle according to the subject matter of claim 1.

[0011] The evaluation unit, with which at least local overloads and pressure distribution on the bearing surface can be determined, and, according to an advantageous embodiment, also a transmission unit for transmitting measured values ​​from the pressure sensors to the evaluation unit, are provided. The saddle cushions are an integral part of the saddle and are inseparably connected to it according to the invention. They are arranged as a pair of saddle cushions for bearing on the back of the riding animal, on either side of the spine, on the underside of the saddle.

[0012] Advantageously, at least one base layer of the saddle pad is provided with at least one pressure sensor, which is designed as a multi-layered pad insert. The pressure sensor comprises an elastic compression layer and at least one distance sensor. The measured distance corresponds to a force acting on the elastic compression layer, for example, felt, which is thereby partially compressed. This compression corresponds to a specific force and, taking the base area into account, thus to a measured value for a specific pressure, a pressure value. Preferably, the distance sensor is designed as a capacitive sensor.

[0013] It has proven advantageous to use a textile pressure sensor. A substrate material, such as felt, is equipped with strain gauge pressure sensors. The sensors are embroidered onto the substrate at the desired measurement density to obtain a comprehensive measurement image. Embroidered sensors, as known from the prior art, can detect physical and technical quantities. The advantages of this embroidery technology lie particularly in the cost-effective application of sensors to large areas.

[0014] Metallic materials in wire form or coated conductive yarns are used as sensor materials. The sensor material is attached to a nonwoven fabric, felt, or other technical textile using embroidery technology. A wire can be inserted using the tailored fiber placement method and fixed to the nonwoven fabric with thread. The geometries can be produced in virtually any way desired. Capacitive, inductive, or resistive sensors can be implemented. For strain sensors, resistance wires made of constantan are used, similar to strain gauges. Copper wire can also be used for capacitive or inductive sensors. Coated or conductive yarns can also be processed. The choice of wire material depends on the application and the available space at the installation site. Wire diameters range from 40 to 100 µm.After the embroidery process, electrical contact is made by soldering the sensor wire to contact plates.

[0015] Embroidery has proven to be an advantageous technology for producing textile sensors, both as pressure sensors and as RFID antenna structures for the present invention. Firstly, it offers high flexibility in yarn placement, allowing for the creation of any desired structure. Secondly, it provides considerable freedom in material selection. This is particularly important when working with sensitive materials (such as very fine strands or coated threads). Furthermore, the precise positioning accuracy of embroidery machines is a significant advantage. These embroidered textile antenna structures offer several benefits over conventional hard tags. For one, very long read ranges can be achieved, and another advantage lies in their purely textile nature.

[0016] Embroidery enables the production of highly conductive, wash-resistant, and low-wear electrical sensors for applications such as pressure measurement on a surface (area sensors). Textile pressure sensors based on this technique are also well-known, utilizing capacitive and resistive measurement principles. In addition to customizing the dimensions, number, and positioning of the pressure points, pressure detection is possible for both large and small areas.

[0017] In the preferred manufacturing process, the carrier material is subsequently processed with sanded leather to form a finished cushion insert for the riding saddle according to the invention and applied to the base of the cushion with or without a latex layer, depending on the application. The cushion is then padded and reattached to the saddle for further use.

[0018] Advantageously, the pressure sensor is arranged between the contact surface and a stuffing material, and is inserted during the manufacture of a new riding saddle or subsequently, for example to retrofit the riding saddle with the technology according to the invention.

[0019] The pressure sensors are preferably connected to an external power supply. The data is transmitted via a combined transmission and evaluation unit, which can be attached to the riding saddle. The transmitted data can also be evaluated and visually displayed using a computer running a software program, so that the forces acting on the horse can be accurately represented.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for recording and visualizing the pressure exerted by a riding saddle according to the subject matter of claim 8, and a computer program product according to the subject matter of claim 14.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the evaluation unit determines the events of pressure peaks and overloads with area resolution, so that local pressure peaks and overloads can be identified, as well as the duration of these events. Thus, a clear picture of the occurring load can be obtained, also by reference to the previous use of the riding animal.

[0022] An advantageous further development of the evaluation system determines the rider's balance and posture, a preferred even distribution of weight on the horse, and the current fit of the riding saddle on the horse. Furthermore, the evaluation system is designed to detect wear and tear on the saddle padding and any misalignment of the riding saddle relative to the horse.

[0023] Preferably, the evaluation unit is located locally on the riding saddle and includes a display unit also located there. Alternatively, data transmission to a remote evaluation unit, which includes the display unit, is provided, wherein the display unit enables immediate or retrievable display of the collected data as well as the output of warnings. This combined evaluation unit with display unit can be a smartphone.

[0024] The present invention enables the comparison of data averaged after an adjustment over a defined period. Furthermore, storing the measured values ​​has proven advantageous, allowing for long-term measurement with evaluation and conclusions regarding long-term changes in the saddle, mount, and rider, even including a warning function for visual or other monitoring of the situation. The continuous pressure monitoring capability allows riders to improve the situation themselves, for example, by using a pad. The effect of such a pad can then be easily verified.

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of exemplary embodiments and their representation in the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Fig. 1Figure 1 schematically shows a rear view of an embodiment of a riding saddle 1, which, in a manner known per se, has two knee rolls 4, a seat 6, and a mirror 10 at the rear. The underside is fitted with two saddle pads 20, which transfer the weight of the rider and the riding saddle 1 to the mount. They rest on either side of the spine on the back of the mount (not shown here). The saddle pads 20 extend longitudinally, essentially parallel to the spine, thus creating two separate bearing surfaces. One of the two saddle pads 20 is shown in a cutaway detail view (see circular inset) in Fig. 2 depicted.

[0027] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a schematic cutaway view of an embodiment of a saddle pad 20 of a riding saddle 1 according to the invention. To compensate for the pressure acting on the animal's back and for cushioning, stuffing material 22 is inserted into the saddle pad 20. A pressure sensor 24 is arranged in the base layer 23 of the saddle pad 20 between the stuffing material 22 and a contact surface 28. The pressure sensor 24 is designed using a capacitive distance sensor 26, which interacts with a compression layer 25 that is compressed when force is applied. The resulting change in distance is then measured.

[0028] The measured values ​​from the pressure sensor 24 are fed to a transmission device 30, which transmits them (shown by a dashed line) to an evaluation device 32. The evaluation device 32 has a measurement memory 36 for long-term storage of the determined values ​​and performs their corresponding evaluation over an extended period. Furthermore, the determined values ​​and the results of the evaluation can be displayed on a display device 34, which is also part of the preferred evaluation device 32. Reference symbol list

[0029] 1 Riding saddle 4 Knee roll 6 Seat surface 10 Mirror 20 Saddle cushion 22 Stuffing material 23 Ground position 24 Pressure sensor 25 Compression position 26 Distance sensor, capacitive distance sensor 28 Contact surface 30 Transmission device 32 Evaluation device 34 Display device 36 Measurement data storage

Claims

1. Riding saddle (1) for detecting a contact pressure of the riding saddle (1) on a riding animal and for determining and visualizing a pressure distribution, wherein the riding saddle (1) comprises saddle panels (20) connected to the riding saddle (1) and forming at least two separate contact surfaces (28), wherein the saddle pads (20) are components of the riding saddle (1) and are inseparably connected thereto, wherein each of the contact surfaces (28), intended to rest on the riding animal and comprising at least one pressure sensor (24), is configured to determine pressure values at individual locations of the contact surface (28), and wherein an evaluation unit (32) is provided, by means of which at least local overloads of the riding animal and a pressure distribution on the contact surface (28) can be determined from the pressure values of the pressure sensors (24).

2. Riding saddle according to claim 1, wherein a transmission device (30) is provided for transmitting the pressure values of the pressure sensors (24) to the evaluation unit (32).

3. Riding saddle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one base layer (23) of the saddle panels(20) is provided with the at least one pressure sensor (24), and wherein the pressure sensor is designed as a multilayer pad insert comprising an elastic compression layer (25) and at least one distance sensor (26).

4. Riding saddle according to claim 3, wherein the distance sensor (26) is designed as a capacitive sensor.

5. Riding saddle according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure sensor (24) is designed as a textile sensor.

6. Riding saddle according to claim 5, wherein the textile sensor comprises embroidered strain sensors.

7. Riding saddle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure sensor (24) is arranged between the contact surface (28) and a fabric material (22).

8. Method for detecting and visualizing a contact pressure of a riding saddle (1) on a riding animal and for representing a pressure distribution, wherein the riding saddle (1) comprises saddle panels (20) connected to the riding saddle (1) and forming at least two separate contact surfaces (28), wherein the saddle pads (20) are components of the riding saddle (1) and inseparably connected thereto, wherein each of the contact surfaces (28) resting on the riding animal determines local pressure values at individual locations of the contact surface (28) via at least one pressure sensor (24) and transmits them to an evaluation unit (32), and wherein the evaluation unit (32) determines at least local overloads and a pressure distribution on the contact surface (28) from the pressure values.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit (32) determines pressure peak and overload events with spatial resolution and the duration of these events.

10. Method according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit (32) determines the rider's balance and posture, uniform loading of the riding animal, and the fit of the riding saddle (1).

11. Method according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit (32) determines wear of padding in the saddle pad (20) and misalignment of the riding saddle (1) relative to the riding animal.

12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, according to a first embodiment, the evaluation unit (32) is arranged locally on the riding saddle (1) and / or comprises a display device (34), or, according to a second embodiment, transmission to a remote evaluation unit (32) comprising the display device (34) takes place, wherein the display device (34) enables immediate or retrievable display of the determined data and the output of warnings.

13. Method according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the measured values are stored in a measurement data memory (36), thereby enabling long-term measurement with evaluation and conclusions regarding long-term changes in the riding saddle (1), the riding animal, and the rider.

14. Computer program product for carrying out a method according to one of claims 9 to 13 in an evaluation unit (32).